Women in their forties to early fifties may start to notice changes in their cycle. These changes are tied to shifts in hormones, which can trigger a variety of new symptoms. Many women report experiencing hot flashes, trouble sleeping, decreased libido, and changes in mood. These are all natural parts of transitioning through the stages of perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, but with the right support, you can navigate them more easily.

1. Perimenopause: The Transition Phase

Perimenopause usually begins in your 40s, but it can start earlier for some. During this phase, your hormones—particularly estrogen and progesterone—begin to fluctuate, which can lead to irregular periods and other symptoms.

Common Symptoms:

• Irregular periods

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability

• Sleep disturbances

• Decreased libido

• Vaginal dryness

At Discovery Health Healing Center, we support women through perimenopause by evaluating hormone levels through urine or blood testing. Understanding your hormone balance allows us to have a collaborative conversation about your symptoms and health goals. This enables us to tailor a personalized plan to reduce discomfort and optimize your health during this time.

How to Support Your Body During Perimenopause:

• Balance Hormones Naturally: Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and maca can help regulate hormones. Incorporating phytoestrogens from flaxseeds and soy products may also be beneficial.

• Prioritize Sleep: A consistent bedtime routine and good sleep hygiene can help address the common sleep disturbances of perimenopause.

• Exercise Regularly: Moderate exercise like walking or yoga can help with both mood and hormone regulation.

• Nutritional Support: Focus on a nutrient-rich diet that includes healthy fats, antioxidants, and plenty of magnesium and B vitamins for energy and stress management.

2. Menopause: The Final Menstrual Period

Menopause is the official end of menstruation, marked by 12 consecutive months without a period, usually occurring around age 50. With the further decline of estrogen and progesterone, women may experience continued hot flashes, weight gain, and increased risks for conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Common Symptoms:

• Continued hot flashes and night sweats

• Weight gain, especially around the abdomen

• Thinning hair and dry skin

• Risk of osteoporosis due to bone density loss

• Memory issues or mental fog

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

At Discovery Health Healing Center, we focus on not only reducing symptoms like hot flashes or mood swings but also optimizing long-term health. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have a positive impact on bone health, cardiovascular health, brain function, and mood stability. Supporting estrogen levels can help keep bones strong, lowering the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

How to Support Your Body During Menopause:

• Bone Health: Maintain bone strength through calcium-rich foods like leafy greens and fortified plant milks. Weight-bearing exercises are key for preventing bone loss.

• Cardiovascular Support: Supporting your cholesterol levels, which are intricately linked with hormones, can protect your heart health. Omega-3-rich foods like salmon and walnuts can help.

• Hormonal Therapies: Hormone support can positively impact cholesterol levels, which are crucial for cardiovascular health. Since cholesterol is the backbone of hormone production, addressing both in tandem is essential.

• Memory and Brain Health: Supporting estrogen can also reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and help maintain memory and cognitive function.

• Stress Management: Stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, and journaling can help ease mood swings and other emotional challenges.

3. Postmenopause: Life After Menopause

Postmenopause refers to the time after menopause when hormone levels stabilize at a lower level. While some symptoms, like hot flashes, may subside, other health risks such as osteoporosis and heart disease may remain.

Common Symptoms:

• Decreased hot flashes and mood swings

• Continued risk of vaginal dryness

• Risk of bone density loss and cardiovascular issues

At Discovery Health Healing Center, we can support postmenopausal women through bio-identical hormone replacement therapy or natural supplements, depending on each patient’s needs. These therapies help reduce symptoms like vaginal dryness and stabilize mood and sleep patterns by gently supporting estrogen and other hormone levels.

How to Support Your Body During Postmenopause:

• Maintain Bone and Heart Health: Calcium and vitamin D, along with routine weight-bearing exercises, are crucial to prevent bone loss and maintain cardiovascular health.

• Vaginal Health: For those experiencing vaginal dryness, natural lubricants or low-dose vaginal estrogen therapies can help.

• Emotional Well-being: Supporting hormones can help reduce anxiety, promote better sleep, and balance neurotransmitters, leading to more stable moods.

General Wellness Tips for All Stages

• Hydration: Staying hydrated helps combat dryness, especially in the skin and vaginal area.

• Mind-Body Connection: Holistic practices like acupuncture and tai chi can provide a sense of balance during hormonal transitions.

• Routine Health Screenings: Continue to prioritize mammograms, bone density scans, and cardiovascular check-ups to ensure ongoing health.

How We Can Help at Discovery Health Healing Center

At Discovery Health Healing Center, our approach to hormone support is customized to your individual needs. We offer both natural supplements and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy to help you transition smoothly through menopause and beyond. By focusing not only on symptom relief but also on long-term health outcomes, we aim to help you live vibrantly at every stage of life.