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Hormones & Menopause
Menopause, perimenopause and related terms
People often talk about menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause. It is important to understand the differences between them:• Menopause is the entire process during which the body adapts to declining hormone levels.
• Perimenopause: the period during which the menstrual cycle becomes irregular and hormone levels fluctuate significantly.
• Menopause/transition is the specific moment when menstruation stops permanently, which is determined after a woman has not had a period for 12 months.
• Postmenopause is the phase after menopause in which hormone levels remain low and stable.
The menstrual cycle and fertility
The menstrual cycle is an essential process for fertility and begins at puberty. Women are born with millions of eggs in their ovaries, but only a small proportion of these mature during their fertile years.This is due to the interaction of hormones:
- Estrogen and progesterone regulate the cycle and prepare the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) control the maturation of the egg and cause ovulation — the moment when the egg is released.
Perimenopause
During this stage, hormonal fluctuations begin. Estrogen levels can fluctuate greatly and progesterone levels gradually decrease, which can cause symptoms even if you are still menstruating. Many women experience symptoms during this stage and may benefit from early hormone therapy.Menopause
This marks the point at which your last menstrual period occurs. This is often only determined retrospectively, i.e. when a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Women often notice an increase in symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats due to the sharp drop in estrogen levels.Postmenopause
After menopause, hormone levels stabilise at a lower level. Although severe symptoms usually decrease, long-term effects of lower hormone production, such as an increased risk of osteoporosis, may still be present.Understanding and support are important
Menopause can have a significant impact on daily life. Around 80% of women experience symptoms, and for a third of these women, the symptoms can be so severe as to affect their daily functioning. This requires understanding and appropriate support, both personally and in the workplace, so that women can continue to contribute their talents and experience.Common complaints
The symptoms experienced during the menopause can vary greatly from woman to woman. Some common complaints are:
Physical complaints:
Hot flushes, Night sweats, Joint and muscle pain, Vaginal dryness, Breast tenderness, Heart palpitations.
Emotional and mental complaints:
Mood swings, irritability, feelings of depression, anxiety and panic attacks, and problems with concentration or memory (also known as “brain fog”).
Other complaints:
Sleep problems, fatigue, bladder problems and changes in weight and fat distribution.
HRT and the prevention of health risks
In addition to alleviating symptoms, HRT can help to reduce certain health risks. A decrease in hormone levels can lead to:
Cardiovascular disease:
Estrogen has a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels. Lower estrogen levels increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Osteoporosis:
Estrogen helps to maintain bone density, so lower levels can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
Type 2 diabetes and possibly Alzheimer's disease:
There is some evidence that a decrease in oestrogen contributes to insulin resistance and an increased risk of dementia, although research results on this vary.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can help reduce these risks.
Menopause is a complex and profound process involving drastic changes in hormonal balance. From the initial perimenopausal phase to postmenopausal stabilization, each stage presents its own challenges and symptoms. With the right support, and if necessary a personalized HRT treatment, many symptoms can be alleviated and quality of life improved. It is important that women receive care and guidance tailored to their personal situation.
Cardiovascular disease:
Estrogen has a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels. Lower estrogen levels increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Osteoporosis:
Estrogen helps to maintain bone density, so lower levels can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
Type 2 diabetes and possibly Alzheimer's disease:
There is some evidence that a decrease in oestrogen contributes to insulin resistance and an increased risk of dementia, although research results on this vary.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can help reduce these risks.
Menopause is a complex and profound process involving drastic changes in hormonal balance. From the initial perimenopausal phase to postmenopausal stabilization, each stage presents its own challenges and symptoms. With the right support, and if necessary a personalized HRT treatment, many symptoms can be alleviated and quality of life improved. It is important that women receive care and guidance tailored to their personal situation.
Hormone therapy is a personal choice
HRT can alleviate the symptoms of menopause by replenishing decreased estrogen and progesterone levels. HRT has been surrounded by controversy for a long time, especially since the Women's Health Initiative study in 2002, which showed an alleged increased risk of breast cancer. However, important caveats to this study were:
If you have any questions about menopause or HRT, or if you would like more information, please email us at assistent@infinitypharma.com.
- The women studied were often older and started treatment long after the onset of menopause.
- Synthetic hormones were used instead of current bioidentical hormones, which are administered in lower doses.
- Later analyses showed that the positive effects of HRT, such as reducing hot flushes and night sweats and preventing osteoporosis, were clearly present.
If you have any questions about menopause or HRT, or if you would like more information, please email us at assistent@infinitypharma.com.
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Hormones & Menopause
The menopause is an important stage in a woman's life
It is a natural process during which a woman's body undergoes significant hormonal changes, marking the end of her fertile years. This period usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 55, involving both physical and emotional changes. Menopause is a process that spans several years and consists of different phases.Menopause, perimenopause and related terms
People often talk about menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause. It is important to understand the differences between them:
• Menopause is the entire process during which the body adapts to declining hormone levels.• Perimenopause: the period during which the menstrual cycle becomes irregular and hormone levels fluctuate significantly.
• Menopause/transition is the specific moment when menstruation stops permanently, which is determined after a woman has not had a period for 12 months.
• Postmenopause is the phase after menopause in which hormone levels remain low and stable.
The menstrual cycle and fertility
The menstrual cycle is an essential process for fertility and begins at puberty. Women are born with millions of eggs in their ovaries, but only a small proportion of these mature during their fertile years.
This is due to the interaction of hormones:
- Estrogen and progesterone regulate the cycle and prepare the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) control the maturation of the egg and cause ovulation — the moment when the egg is released.
Understanding and support are important
Menopause can have a significant impact on daily life. Around 80% of women experience symptoms, and for a third of these women, the symptoms can be so severe as to affect their daily functioning. This requires understanding and appropriate support, both personally and in the workplace, so that women can continue to contribute their talents and experience.Common complaints
The symptoms experienced during the menopause can vary greatly from woman to woman. Some common complaints are:
Physical complaints:
Hot flushes, Night sweats, Joint and muscle pain, Vaginal dryness, Breast tenderness, Heart palpitations.
Emotional and mental complaints:
Mood swings, irritability, feelings of depression, anxiety and panic attacks, and problems with concentration or memory (also known as “brain fog”).
Other complaints:
Sleep problems, fatigue, bladder problems and changes in weight and fat distribution.
Perimenopause
During this stage, hormonal fluctuations begin. Estrogen levels can fluctuate greatly and progesterone levels gradually decrease, which can cause symptoms even if you are still menstruating. Many women experience symptoms during this stage and may benefit from early hormone therapy.Menopause
This marks the point at which your last menstrual period occurs. This is often only determined retrospectively, i.e. when a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Women often notice an increase in symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats due to the sharp drop in estrogen levels.Postmenopause
After menopause, hormone levels stabilise at a lower level. Although severe symptoms usually decrease, long-term effects of lower hormone production, such as an increased risk of osteoporosis, may still be present.HRT and the prevention of health risks
In addition to alleviating symptoms, HRT can help to reduce certain health risks. A decrease in hormone levels can lead to:
Cardiovascular disease:
Estrogen has a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels. Lower estrogen levels increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Osteoporosis:
Estrogen helps to maintain bone density, so lower levels can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
Type 2 diabetes and possibly Alzheimer's disease:
There is some evidence that a decrease in oestrogen contributes to insulin resistance and an increased risk of dementia, although research results on this vary.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can help reduce these risks.
Menopause is a complex and profound process involving drastic changes in hormonal balance. From the initial perimenopausal phase to postmenopausal stabilization, each stage presents its own challenges and symptoms. With the right support, and if necessary a personalized HRT treatment, many symptoms can be alleviated and quality of life improved. It is important that women receive care and guidance tailored to their personal situation.
Cardiovascular disease:
Estrogen has a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels. Lower estrogen levels increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Osteoporosis:
Estrogen helps to maintain bone density, so lower levels can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
Type 2 diabetes and possibly Alzheimer's disease:
There is some evidence that a decrease in oestrogen contributes to insulin resistance and an increased risk of dementia, although research results on this vary.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can help reduce these risks.
Menopause is a complex and profound process involving drastic changes in hormonal balance. From the initial perimenopausal phase to postmenopausal stabilization, each stage presents its own challenges and symptoms. With the right support, and if necessary a personalized HRT treatment, many symptoms can be alleviated and quality of life improved. It is important that women receive care and guidance tailored to their personal situation.
Hormone therapy is a personal choice
HRT can alleviate the symptoms of menopause by replenishing decreased estrogen and progesterone levels. HRT has been surrounded by controversy for a long time, especially since the Women's Health Initiative study in 2002, which showed an alleged increased risk of breast cancer. However, important caveats to this study were:
If you have any questions about menopause or HRT, or if you would like more information, please email us at assistent@infinitypharma.com.
- The women studied were often older and started treatment long after the onset of menopause.
- Synthetic hormones were used instead of current bioidentical hormones, which are administered in lower doses.
- Later analyses showed that the positive effects of HRT, such as reducing hot flushes and night sweats and preventing osteoporosis, were clearly present.
If you have any questions about menopause or HRT, or if you would like more information, please email us at assistent@infinitypharma.com.