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Evergreen Diagnostic Clinic
2144-B Hendersonville Rd.
Arden, NC 28704
Phone: (828) 687-2344
Fax: (828) 687-2302
Menopause
July 1, 2005Menopause
Menopause designates the time in a woman’s life when she ceases to have a menstrual period. The diagnosis of menopause is not made until the woman has gone six to twelve months without a period. We designate the time prior to menopause as perimenopausal and the time after menopause as postmenopausal. During the perimenopausal period many women ovulate irregularly, either due to inadequate secretion of estrogen or due to resistance to the ovulatory stimulus.
It is generally thought that menopause occurs because there are no more eggs left in the ovaries. At the time of menopause, the absence of ovarian follicles results in a reduced production of estrogen and progesterone levels. The pituitary gland responds to this drop in estrogen by increasing its secretion of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, which affect a woman’s entire hormonal system. Following menopause, these two hormones are secreted in large and continuous quantities. Even though there are no more follicles to stimulate, these two hormones cause the ovaries and the adrenal glands to secrete increased amounts of androgens, which can be converted to estrogens by the fat cells of the hips and thighs. It is these converted androgens that account for most of the woman’s estrogen after menopause, but the total estrogen levels are far below the levels she experienced during her reproductive years.
During the 1940’s and 1950’s estrogen became the prescription for menopause. The protocol became the “Gold Standard” during the 1970’s. It is now well established that unopposed estrogen therapy is associated with a four to thirteen times increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. In order to prevent this devastating consequence the hormone progesterone was added to the protocol and “Estrogen Therapy” became Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This appears to have removed the risk of developing endometrial cancer, but not some of the other forms of cancer.
The risk of developing breast cancer while on HRT is quite high. Some studies place the risk of developing breast cancer while on HRT to be as high as 30%. HRT increases the risk of developing gallstones and blood clots. Some women may experience nausea, breast pain, symptoms of PMS, depression, liver disorders, enlargement of uterine fibroids, bloating, low blood sugar and headache.
The major symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, atrophy of the vagina, mood disorders, frequent urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence. Hot flashes are a result of blood vessel dilation that leads to a rise in the skin temperature and resultant flushing of the skin. During the typical hot flash, the skin of the head and neck become red and warm for anywhere from a few seconds to two minutes. This is usually followed by chills. This reaction may be accompanied by rapid heart rate, dizziness, weight gain, fatigue and insomnia. In the US anywhere from 65 to 80% of women experience hot flashes to some degree. As the woman’s body adapts to the decreased estrogen levels the hot flashes usually subside.
After menopause, the vaginal lining may become thin and lack adequate secretions due to the decreased estrogen level. This may cause burning, itching, frequent vaginal infections and pain during sexual intercourse. Approximately 15% of menopausal women experience frequent bladder infections. This appears to be due to a breakdown of the woman’s immune system.
I have successfully used natural hormones, acupuncture, nutrition and herbs based on blood tests and hormone panels to help women with these problems associated with menopause. Many women are looking for alternatives to Western Medicine’s approach and now they no longer have to search for answers.
Copyright © 2005 Dr. Hedberg. All rights reserved.
