Menopause and Natural Progesterone
What is menopause?
Menopause is the cessation (end) of menstrual bleeding signalling that estrogen production has fallen to a very low level, preventing the build up and shedding of uterine tissue every month (menstruation). It is the mark of the end of reproduction.
The drop in levels of estrogen is due to the inability of the ovaries to manufacture the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. A woman is never totally deficient of estrogen, although her estrogen levels drop below a point that creates monthly menstrual cycles.
In other words, menopause is a marker of ovarian failure, because the body can no longer ripen and mature the remaining follicles into eggs for fertilisation. This happens around about age 50-55, although women are entering menopause much earlier now.
It is the follicles within the ovaries that produce the vast majority of estrogen and progesterone which is produced after the ovary has popped (ovulation).
Symptoms of Menopause
Menopausal symptoms are triggered by the drop of estrogen, and varying in intensity.
These are the most common:
- absence of periods
- hot flushes / flashes
- aches and pains - joint, neck, backache
- dizziness
- headaches
- vaginal dryness or itching
- bladder problems - stress incontinence, other irritations, prone to infections
- dry and aging skin - loss of elasticity
- crawling or itching sensations under skin
- poor sleep patterns - commonly waking 12pm, 2am and 4am
- foggy thinking
- emotional changes - anxiety, irritability, depression, loss of self-esteem, lacking confidence, panic attacks, and many more
- physical exhaustion
Easing the Symptoms of Menopause
As we age and enter menopause, our hormone levels abruptly change, heralding a degree of discomfort (and risk) for some. But let’s state for the record that not every women requires hormone replacement therapy.
A vast majority of menopausal problems can be avoided by good nutrition, avoidance of toxins, regular moderate exercise, some lifestyle changes and regular salivary hormone profiles to ensure our hormones continue to fall within an ideal reference range.
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above (that are associated with estrogen dominance), then supplementing with natural progesterone cream will certainly help.
Progesterone therapy will not cause a woman to go back into monthly cycles if she has truly entered menopause because it is estrogen that creates the monthly cycles not progesterone. The build up of the endometrial tissue is under the influence of estrogen, not progesterone.
It is the drop of estrogen that signals menopause and stops your period. A woman can have stopped ovulating, and be infertile many years before her periods stop.
In the event progesterone doesn’t resolve hot flashes and vaginal dryness, then small doses of estriol cream can make a difference. In fact, compounding pharmacists, in consultation with your GP, are equipped to individualised a BHRT treatment plan around whatever hormones need replacing based on your salivary analysis.
