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Your new phase: oestrogen and menopause: how to make the most of hormonal changes
Menopause: Many women fear menopause, even though it is a natural stage in a woman’s life. The concerns associated with menopause are due to the so-called menopausal disorders, which complicate the daily lives of many women. Typical symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep disorders or sweating reduce quality of life and performance.
Although menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, she should not resign herself to its distressing effects. Find out more about the hormonal changes of menopause, the symptoms that occur and how you can alleviate these problems medically and naturally.
MENOPAUSE - AN OVERVIEW
In everyday language, the period before menopause is known as pre-menopause (or perimenopause). The menopause itself is considered to be the last period of bleeding in a woman’s life. The menopause is therefore the end of the fertile phase of life.
For many women, this often difficult phase of life begins in their mid-forties. At this time, the female body begins to reduce its production of progesterone. Progesterone is a sex hormone belonging to the progestogen group.
Levels of oestrogen, the female sex hormone, then fall. There are two categories of oestrogen:
- Estrone
- Estradiol
- Oestriol
It is worth mentioning here that oestradiol is the main female sex hormone. It is the most effective oestrogen.
When the menopause arrives, hormonal changes can have many repercussions on quality of life and performance: these problems are called menopausal disorders. The first signs of the onset of menopause can be sleep disturbances and a change in the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycle disorders manifest themselves as increasingly irregular periods that eventually disappear completely.
In principle, the menopause is divided into three phases:
- Premenopause: menstrual periods vary in intensity and regularity. Irritability also increases. This phase, which can last up to 10 years, ends with the last menstrual period (menopause).
- Perimenopause: Perimenopause begins during pre-menopause. It takes place over a period of about six years. It ends about one year after the last menstrual period and includes the classic symptoms of menopause.
- Postmenopause: during this last phase, the female body has become accustomed to the new constellation of hormones. The problems subside.
WHAT ARE THE EARLY SIGNS OF MENOPAUSE?
Decreased progesterone secretion causes certain signs that signal the onset of menopause. Warning signs of menopause are common. They include shorter cycles (25 days instead of 28) and irregular periods.
The absence of progesterone secretion also causes certain symptoms, such as tight breasts, pain before menstruation or abdominal bloating. During this intermediate stage, known as premenopause, a woman can still get pregnant, although it is more difficult than before.
HOW LONG DOES MENOPAUSE LAST?
Every woman experiences menopause differently. Since menopause is a finite state in which a woman can no longer menstruate, we talk about the stage before menopause: the pre-menopause. It lasts, on average 4 years and is considered to be over when a woman stops menstruating for at least 12 months.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF MENOPAUSE?
The average age of menopause is between 45 and 55 years, according to the National Institute of Ageing (NIA). Although the mechanisms underlying its onset are known, menopause cannot be precisely determined. Several factors are responsible, to a greater or lesser extent, for the differences observed from one woman to another. When discussing differences between individuals, we often look for a triad of factors: genetic, environmental and medical. Once again, the menopause is no exception to the rule:
– Genetic factor: although there is currently no clear explanation, the age of menopause is earlier or later in some families.
– Environmental factors: a healthy lifestyle tends to delay the actual date of menopause. On the other hand, bad habits, such as smoking, can bring it forward.
– Medical factors: Drugs that affect a woman’s hormonal status influence the onset of menopause. For example, hormone therapy or cancer chemotherapy can interfere with the natural course of the menopause.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS OF MENOPAUSE?
Although not all women experience symptoms at menopause, more than 80% suffer from physical or psychological symptoms. As a general rule, vasomotor disorders come first, including symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats. It is estimated that more than 80% of menopausal women suffer from hot flushes.
Other symptoms may occur:
- Sleep disorders
- Mood swings
- Depressive moods
- Sexual disinterest
- Vaginal dryness
- Bladder weakness
- Increased hair loss
- Increased risk of osteoporosis
- Weight gain (especially abdominal fat)
These symptoms significantly reduce some women’s quality of life, necessitating medical treatment. In these cases, hormone therapy is often used but carries risks. The risks and benefits must be carefully weighed.
RISKS AND BENEFITS OF HORMONE THERAPY
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been available for several decades to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. This therapy aims to alleviate the problems caused by oestrogen deficiency. Either oestrogen alone is replaced by oestrogen monotherapy or a combination of oestrogen and progesterone is administered. The effect on hot flushes is rapid, so you can expect relief in a short space of time.
It is important to undergo a thorough gynaecological examination and consultation beforehand. The doctor and patient should then assess the benefit/risk ratio, as since the late 1990s, studies have shown that long-term use of HRT can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer. This applies both to the use of oestrogens and to the combination of oestrogens and progestogens. It is currently assumed that HRT does not directly trigger breast cancer, but stimulates the growth of cancer cells that are already present.
In addition to the increased risk of breast cancer, it also increases the risk of ovarian and uterine mucosal cancer. Hormone replacement also increases the risk of heart disease, thrombosis and stroke. For these reasons, experts advise against long-term hormone replacement.
Interestingly, the form of administration determines the risk: hormone patches are considered less risky than taking tablets.
LIFESTYLE: HOW TO RELIEVE SYMPTOMS?
There are several approaches to alleviating menopausal symptoms. Sufficient physical activity, a healthy and balanced diet and adequate body weight are considered helpful.
One study provides evidence that a plant-based diet based on soya may help to significantly reduce the occurrence of hot flushes at the end of the menopause.
Relaxation techniques can also be effective. These include breathing exercises, meditation and yoga. In general, a healthy lifestyle promotes well-being, which becomes even more important in the menopause.
If you suffer from hot flushes frequently, you should dress according to the “layered look”. This means dressing like an onion skin, with several layers. This will allow you to react quickly and easily to hot flushes.
HERBAL MEDICINES FOR MENOPAUSE: IS REISHI USEFUL?
In addition to hot flushes and sweating, sleep problems and insomnia are typical symptoms of the menopause. Experts estimate that one in two women are affected. For many women, this is one of the first signs that they are entering the menopause.
One of the reasons for this is a reduction in the hormone progesterone. This sex hormone is responsible, among other things, for relaxing the nerves and the psyche. If hormone levels drop, this can result in sleep problems.
Sleep and mood disorders in premenopausal women are common. When we look at medicinal mushrooms, we see that most have the potential to act on these problems. Studies in animal models have shown that extracts of Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) prolong sleep. In China, the Reishi mushroom has been used for centuries to treat restlessness, insomnia and palpitations.
CONCLUSION: APPROPRIATE MEASURES CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE DURING MENOPAUSE.
Menopause is a hard time in the lives of women with a variety of symptoms. It is worth considering whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is necessary, as its long–term use can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases. Exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and possibly Reishi mushroom supplements are natural remedies that can help reduce menopause–related difficulties.
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