Adjusting to Life With Menopause

Menopause is a natural rite of passage for women. Some women ease into menopause without much trouble. But for other women, the gradual reduction of reproductive hormones can leave them feeling off-kilter.

Monique Petteys, FNP-C at The Women's Center at Life Point Medical in Clayton, Georgia, can help you manage menopause-related symptoms and adjust to your new normal. She takes a natural approach with BioTE® bioidentical hormone replacement pellets. These tiny pellets slowly release natural hormones to keep you balanced.

Here are some common menopause symptoms and what you can do about them.

Menopause explained

Menopause is a natural transition for women between the ages of 45 and 55 when their ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. During this time, your monthly periods stop, your bones lose density, and your body uses energy differently.

Menopause may also be triggered by the surgical removal of the ovaries or by a hysterectomy. 

Menopause symptoms

Women experience menopause differently. Some women breeze through menopause easily. Others crash into menopause with severe symptoms that affect their daily life. You may have one or more of the following symptoms.

Hot flashes

Hot flashes are one of the most common and annoying symptoms of menopause. During a hot flash, you suddenly feel overheated, your face becomes flushed, and you might start sweating. When hot flashes happen at night, they’re called night sweats.

You can reduce hot flashes by avoiding:

• Caffeine
• Spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Tight clothing
• Heat
• Cigarette smoking

Weight gain

Some women who never had a weight problem before find themselves gaining weight during menopause. Even increased cardio workouts may not stem weight gain.

Hormones play a part in maintaining lean mass and staving off stored fat. Hormones also help you maintain bone density and strong bones. 

Hormone replacement therapy can help many women manage the worst symptoms of menopause, such as weight gain. 

Thinning hair

It’s common to lose hair or experience thinning hair during menopause. This is caused by a reduction of estrogen and an imbalance between estrogen and other hormones that play a role in regulating hair growth. 

Hormone replacement therapy can rebalance your hormones and help stop the process of thinning hair.

Sleep problems

Some women who never had trouble sleeping find themselves tossing and turning in bed during menopause. Or you may fall asleep easily but wake up frequently during the night.

Sleep problems can lead to daytime sleepiness, irritability, and having problems concentrating. Hormone replacement therapy can also improve sleep problems.

Aches and pains

Aches and pains can be symptoms of menopause. This discomfort can result from a decrease in joint cushioning, a byproduct of lower estrogen levels.

Making changes to your diet can help ease joint pain:

• Eat fewer processed foods and more whole foods. 
• Reduce your intake of processed sugars. 
• Enjoy more fruits and vegetables and lean protein. 

If menopause-related symptoms are wrecking your quality of life, Monique Petteys can help. To schedule an appointment and to find out more about BioTE® bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, call 706-250-7306, or use our online booking tool.