going through the “change”
What is Happening with Your Body?
Menopause is a time of great change — it is the adolescence of older age but better than adolescence of youth because menopausal women have confidence and experience.
When women were growing up, many heard words about the ‘change’ that would occur at the end of their child-bearing years. And though some of the words in this post could sound a bit scary, they are meant to teach about natural functions of life.
There are terms that you might be unfamiliar with that once explained, make it much easier to understand what your body might be going through.
Let’s get started…
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her period stops. It is a natural function of aging. But how do we identify menopause?
Menopause typically happens naturally. It occurs because the woman’s ovaries stop the production of certain hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
Progesterone is more important than estrogen for preventing and treating osteoporosis. It is directly involved in the production of bone-forming cells called osteoblasts.
Many menopausal women use a topical natural progesterone cream to provide for direct absorption of progesterone into the bloodstream. While many women try medication or hormone replacement therapies, not all are happy with the risks or side effects.
Chiropractic care, acupuncture with/and herbal medicines can all be excellent, natural alternatives to these therapies.
The transition into menopause is referred to as perimenopause, and it can start several years before your last menstrual period. After a full year without a period, you have been “through menopause.”
The ovaries naturally will gradually start to make less estrogen. At this time as estrogen levels fluctuate, women may experience cramping and heavy, irregular periods.
When?
Most women experience menopause between ages 40 and 58. The average age is 51. Physical changes begin years before the final menstrual period. This transition phase of perimenopause may last for 4 to 8 years.
living with menopause
Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause…
As with many physiological changes in the body, the symptoms with menopause can seem intense at times.
Women may have at least some of these symptoms when going through the menopause transition:
- Hot flashes and/or night sweats
- Breast tenderness
- Worse premenstrual syndrome
- Lower sex drive
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
- Less hair on your head, more hair on your face
Though there are many symptoms, no one women will likely go through many of them at the same time. For instance, early in perimenopause, one might experience heavy and/or irregular periods, strong Pre-menstrual Syndrome symptoms and perhaps night sweats. Another woman might only have a lower libido and breast tenderness. These are all normal.
If someone feels that they are experiencing symptoms out of the ordinary, they should always consult a physician for further discussion.
chiropractic care can ease the pain
Treat Symptoms of Menopause with Chiropractic Care
Seeing a chiropractor during menopause can help you. Two primary hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are dramatically reduced during menopause. These changes are what can cause many uncomfortable symptoms.
The hypothalamus, also known as the master control of the body, plays a significant role in the production of progesterone and estrogen. Misalignments in the spine can interfere with the functioning of the hypothalamus.
Chiropractic deals with the nervous system and spine which if under stress, will cause an additional decrease in the levels of hormones your body is producing. Our nervous system controls all the functions of our bodies. Therefore, it is beneficial to have your spine checked and adjusted during menopause.
Results of chiropractic adjustment
Menopause is a universal, female experience. While some lucky women have no symptoms, most do. Explore all alternatives to ease symptoms of this natural transition in life. Chiropractic care can help.
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To schedule an appointment for treatment with chiropractic, acupuncture or massage, please contact Shimer Chiropractic today at 720-340-4107. Your body will thank you.
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