Perimenopause or the Menopausal Journey

You don’t suddenly experience symptoms out of nowhere. The process begins with perimenopause, a transitionary phase. This stage usually occurs eight to ten before you go through full menopause. It usually starts during your early 40s, but some can begin experiencing symptoms in their 30s.

So what happens in perimenopausal women?

At this point, estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that control the menstrual cycle, start to fluctuate. The ovaries produce these hormones more sporadically, leading to uneven spikes and dips. Because they directly impact menstruation, periods can become hard to predict. They may be shorter or longer, and women sometimes experience cycles where they don’t release an egg. In short, the work of the ovaries becomes unreliable and unpredictable. 

As you can imagine, hormonal shifts can wreak havoc on your body. It’s not just your reproductive system that becomes unpredictable. Perimenopausal women often go through sleepless nights, noticeable mood changes, and hot flashes that come out of nowhere. Other possible symptoms include:

• Painful intercourse
• Increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections
• Urinary incontinence
• Bone loss
• Changing cholesterol levels
• Irritability
• Depression
• Hair loss
• Fertility issues
• Changing libido

RELATED: Are You Experiencing Perimenopause Symptoms?

Menopause

Perimenopausal women will continue dealing with unpredictable hormone production until they hit menopause. Perimenopause is officially over when it’s been 12 months since the last period.

At this point, hormonal changes are less sporadic. The ovaries no longer produce an egg, and the constant fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone levels is over. Instead of jumping all over the place, these hormones and testosterone are at their lowest level yet. The body still produces the hormones, but they’re at a deficient levels.

Despite having a little more stability, the lack of hormones like estrogen still causes many problems. Many of the standard systems you see in perimenopausal women occur. For example, hot flashes and trouble sleeping often persist. But outside of those issues, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Vaginal dryness
• Dry skin
• Night sweats
• Joint and muscle aches
• Memory lapse
• Headaches
• Racing heartbeat
• Hair loss
• Significantly reduced sex drive

Mood problems can continue to be a problem as well. Many menopausal women suffer from depression, erratic mood swings, and irritability.

Heart and Bone Problems:

Among the many organs benefiting from the ovarian hormone production, our heart and bones are the most crucial to our health. Hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause and menopause increase the risk of heart attacks 10x risks prior. Bone loss also increases dramatically due to hormonal insufficiency and bone fractures become a serious issue during the menopausal years. These conditions are the most common cause of mortality and disability in menopausal years. 

Should You Contact a Doctor?

Dr. Tahery specializes in working with nature to optimize your health during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Tahery as a urogynecologist and female hormonal specialist has been helping women navigate the health and quality of life issues in these crucial years for the past 26 years.

RELATED: Menopause and Bio-Identical Hormones

Perimenopause and Menopause Treatment

Menopause is inevitable, and there’s no way to prevent it from occurring. However, there are many options for treating the many conditions affecting the health and quality of life. 

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is a way to address what’s going on inside the body directly. During the perimenopausal stage, your testosterone, estrogen and progesterone levels are all over the place. Hormone therapy can provide more balance and increase low hormone levels before, during, and after menopause bringing health and improving quality of life.

More and more we realize the potential in safe and effective methods of hormone therapy. Studies show significant benefit in women using hormones to counter the changes brought by lack of hormones in their body. Early use of hormones has shown to be most beneficial in supporting the heart and bone health and the many other issues that come with menopause. 

Dr.Tahery specializes and is experienced in using the multiple ways of delivering hormones that are appropriate for each individual. 

Anxiety and Stress

Perimenopause and menopause is also a time of significant personal and social change. Teenage children, (do I need to say more?) work issues, relationship changes,  loss or elderly parents are some of the environmental factors many encounter. Therefore, Anxiety and stress are common symptoms many women deal with and they are crucial to be addressed. 

Dr. Tahery will work with you to find the proper treatment through mind and body care. 

Lifestyle Changes

Dr. Tahery understands that each woman experiences perimenopause and menopause differently. Depending on the needs of your body, we recommend lifestyle changes to improve your health. 

One of the most common complaints in perimenopause and menopause is weight gain and reduced metabolism. Exercise and menopausal diet is one of the core principle of perimenopause and menopausal health. 

Dr. Tahery works with expert dieticians and therapists when needed to optimize health and well-being. 

Whether you’re struggling with the impact of early perimenopause or deep in a change of life, don’t hesitate to contact the offices of Dr. Michael Tahery. As an expert Urogynecologist and female hormone specialist with many years of experience in Los Angeles, Dr. Tahery has the expertise to help you through this transition. Reach out today to schedule your appointment.

The post Hormones in Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.

Estrogen, primarily produced by the ovaries, is the primary hormone responsible for growth of the follicle. 

Progesterone produced by the ovulatory follicle, also known as the egg, is responsible for maintaining the endometrial lining and allowing the pregnancy to progress. 

Testosterone is also known as a male hormone which is also essential in a women’s body. Too much testosterone however will disrupt the ovulatory cycle and result in fertility issues. This condition is seen in women with polycystic ovaries or pcos.

Prolactin is produced by pituitary gland located in the base of the brain and is responsible milk production after delivery among other functions. Too high a level of prolactin from an overgrowth of pituitary gland may also disrupt the ovulation cycle. One such tumor is called a prolactinoma.

Thyroid hormones are essential to normal functioning of our body including the reproductive organs. Too much or too little thyroid hormone production from the thyroid gland can disrupt ovulation among many other problems. 

LH or leutenizing hormone also produced in the pituitary gland located in the base of the brain is responsible for inducing release of the egg from a mature follicle. Absence of a strop LH surge prevents ovulation. 

What factors cause hormone imbalance?

Genetics, hereditary, autoimmune disorders, obesity, severe weight loss, prolonged high intensity exercise and tumors of the hormone producing organs are the major factors in hormonal imbalance. 

Symptoms of hormone imbalance?

• Elevated testosterone results in irregular menstruation, acne, and thick body and facial hair. 
• Elevated prolactin causes headaches, visual changes, and milk production from the breasts. 
• Low progesterone levels may result in recurrent miscarriage. 
• Low estrogen prevents thickening of the endometrial lining and poor follicle growth. 
• Too much thyroid hormone results in disruption in ovulation and too little heavy menstruations. 
• Poor LH surge results in infrequent ovulations.

Infrequent or absent ovulation, and irregular menstruations are some of the fertility issues that are most commonly linked to hormone imbalance.

Are at-home tests helpful?

An ovulation test is a form of hormone testing which checks for the LH surge and the results are helpful to your doctor.

Consult a Board-Certified medical provider for more information if you suspect that a hormonal imbalance might be affecting your fertility. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Tahery at his Glendale or Los Angeles office if you have any questions.

The post How Hormone Imbalance Can Affect Fertility appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.

Low levels of testosterone may be responsible for a decreased desire for sex, decreased satisfaction with sexual relations, decreased metabolism and mid body weight gain, as well as weak muscle tone and fatigue. Women using testosterone may benefit from increased desire and satisfaction with sex, including an increased sex drive. Testosterone also helps increase muscle tone and bone health. It can increase metabolism and mid line weight loss. It has also been helpful in helping women with fatigue issues, helping regain vitality and energy.

Some women are concerned about increased body or facial hair growth, or scalp hair loss, as well as problems with thickening of the voice. However, these conditions are unlikely if the hormone levels are regulated in the range that is normal for women. We use compounded testosterone cream that is prepared just for your body’s needs. It is in the form of a cream that is applied to the skin at night.

Creams are absorbed through the skin and do not involve the liver. Therefore, it does not increase cholesterol and is not expected to increase the risk of blood clots, which is of significant concern with other types of hormone preparation. All compounded hormones that we dispense are prepared by expert pharmacists in our office and the dosage is regulated within very strict standards to deliver the maximum benefit to your body. Dr. Tahery has been prescribing compounded hormones for women for more than 20 years and is known as an expert in menopause and hormone therapy for women of all ages.

The post Compounded Testosterone Cream For Females appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.