Menopause occurs when a woman's production of progesterone hormones declines to below normal levels and then finally stops completely.
Although there are quite a number of women who just breeze through menopause, many women go through this phase in their lives experiencing symptoms that completely change the way they live. Most do not realize that the symptoms they experience are due to a change in their hormonal production and balance, mainly the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and that the problem can be easily solved.
Menopause occurs when a woman’s production of progesterone hormones declines to below normal levels and then finally stops completely. As opposed to this drop in progesterone levels, production of estrogen actually increases in menopausal women and then drops slightly. So women have a situation where they have a hormonal imbalance with estrogen being far higher than progesterone and that’s the problem.
Maintaining a balance between the hormones progesterone and estrogen is very important. Progesterone protects against osteoporosis by increasing bone density and may decrease the risk for breast cancer. Progesterone levels should always be equal to estrogen levels in order for one to attain a hormonal balance. Progesterone is produced in the ovaries, and as ovulation stops during menopause, so does the production of progesterone. In menopausal women, the estrogen level is greater and this causes women to experience menopausal symptoms.
Some symptoms of progesterone deficiency
- Mood swings
- Chronic fatigue
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
- Hot flushes
- Increased body fat
A woman’s progesterone level typically begins to fall by the time she reaches her 40s. The diagnosis of progesterone deficiency should include a complete blood count and chemistry profile of estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone. A saliva test can also be used to measure progesterone and estrogen levels.
The choices for progesterone hormone supplements in women are quite numerous. Patients and their physicians have options to choose which hormone supplements best fit their needs. Some of these hormone supplements include oral pills, skin patches and transdermal creams. Hormone pill supplements dissolve in the stomach, then go directly through the liver (called “first pass metabolism”) and their progesterone content is broken down. This hormone supplement route makes use of synthetic hormones that are harmful to the body, and in many cases have been known to cause liver damage.
Skin patch hormone supplements are somewhat more efficient in the treatment of progesterone hormonal imbalance but in some cases are known to cause blistering.
Skin patch hormone supplements are somewhat more efficient in the treatment of progesterone hormonal imbalance but in some cases are known to cause blistering. Furthermore, the patches may peel off if the user sweats heavily or get rubbed off by clothing.
Bioidentical progesterone hormone supplements in the form of creams are conveniently applied to the skin and are quickly absorbed. Bioidentical progesterone cream takes its name from its progesterone content that is biologically identical to the progesterone produced naturally in a woman’s body. Unlike synthetic hormones which are very harmful to the body, bioidentical progesterone hormone supplements in the form of creams are safe and have no side effects.
Patients taking hormone supplements should have their progesterone and estrogen levels measured after four to six weeks to determine if they are receiving the proper dose of these medications.
In addition to hormone supplements, lifestyle changes can also help progesterone deficient women regain a semblance of their normal lives. Avoiding cigarettes and alcoholic beverages is a must. Another step is to have a healthy diet rich in nutrients such as protein and calcium. Lastly, nothing beats regular exercise in maintaining a stress-free, healthy lifestyle.
The goal of therapy in treating menopause through progesterone hormone supplements is to achieve optimum progesterone levels and relieve the distressing symptoms of menopause. If you’re suffering from some of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, the link below will help you learn more about the other symptoms that this condition could cause, and help you find the best remedy to get you back in shape.
Osteoporosis can be a silent and deadly disease, which often lies undiscovered for a long time. Not only is this in itself a dangerous condition, the fatality rate associated with osteoporosis-related fractures is shockingly high! Raloxifene can drastically reduce these risks by preventing and treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It helps preserve and increase bone mass and has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of fractures. And unlike hormone-based medication, Raloxifene is a lot less prone to negative side effects. You might be getting a little older, but your bones don’t have to.
