Harbor Health, LLC

Tag: menopause

  • Menopause and Your Health 

    Menopause and Your Health 

    Menopause is a natural process of aging that typically affects women who are somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55. Below, we look at menopause and your health.

    This titanic shift in the hormonal balance of a woman can result in a number of changes, depending on the individual case. Unfortunately, it brings with it a certain risk for the development of types of health issues.

    Menopause and Your Health 

    If you’re approaching menopausal age or are already in the midst of this set of novel experiences, here is an overview of how menopause can interact with your health. We also cover some beneficial menopause health treatments.

    What Is Menopause?

    Menopause is the term given to a period in a woman’s life when she begins to lose her period and permanently stop producing eggs.

    There is some variability as to when this period occurs exactly, with most women experiencing it sometime between the ages of 45 and 55. The Menopausal period typically lasts for about 3 years.

    During menopause, a woman might experience a number of symptoms that are very common. Some of these include:

    • Shivering
    • Reddening of The Skin
    • Hot Flashes
    • Vaginal Dryness
    • Trouble sleeping
    • Mood swings

    The primary factor that contributes to health changes in postmenopausal women is a marked decrease in estrogen production. This has a number of consequences that come with it.

    Health Issues at Play

    There are some serious health risks associated with the decreased estrogen production that comes with lower estrogen production during menopause. Some of these include:

    • Heart Disease – Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of heart disease, on par with that of most men. Prior to menopause, women have a markedly lower risk of heart disease.
    • Stroke – Every 10 years after the age of 55, your risk of enduring a stroke doubles. As virtually all women are finished with menopause by that age, they are at a higher risk for stroke.  
    • Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis is a term that refers to a loss of mass in the bones. Certain studies have shown that women who experience intense hot flashes during menopause are at higher risk for developing osteoporosis later in life.
    • Lead Poisoning – With the risk of osteoporosis comes the additional risk of lead poisoning. This is due to the fact that lead is stored in one’s bones over the course of a lifetime – as the bones begin to break down, this stored lead is released into the body.
    • Oral Issues – Postmenopausal women are also at risk for more frequent cavities.
    • Urinary Incontinence – Many postmenopausal women experience difficulty with retaining their urine.

    Of course, the menopausal experience is a highly personal one, and no two women experience exactly the same set of issues. However, the issues listed above represent some very common complaints.

    Staying Healthy After Menopause

    Staying healthy after menopause requires slightly more effort than before this life period. However, with proper care and maintenance, many women can enjoy similar levels of health that they enjoyed prior to menopause.

    Some of the ways you can assist your health during the Menopausal process include:

    • Eating Well: Eating well can help to arm your body with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy in the postmenopausal state.
    • Quitting Smoking: Smoking is hazardous to your health in a number of different ways. The Menopausal process makes one more vulnerable to the harmful consequences of smoking.
    • Being Active: Getting enough physical exercise can give one the edge in staying healthy during menopause. At least 30 minutes per day of light aerobic exercise can give one a boost in staying healthy.
    • Practice Safe Sex: After menopause, one’s risk for contracting some kind of STI remains the same, even though you can’t get pregnant anymore.  
    • Talk To Your Doctor or Nurse About Dietary Supplements: There are several kinds of dietary supplements that can be useful in the fight to stay healthy post-menopause.

    Taking a holistic view of one’s health post-menopause can help one to take realistic steps towards maintaining a high level of health despite the challenges of this pressing time period. Discussing with your doctor the ins and outs of your personal case can help to prepare you to take the steps you might need in order to maximize your advantages.

    Talk About the Changes in Your Body

    Harbor Health serves the residents of Tacoma and the rest of the Pacific Northwest with quality care and consultations for every stage of life. If you’re undergoing your own menopausal journey and are worried about the potential health impacts that come with it, contact us today in order to schedule your personal consultation at our Tacoma compounding pharmacy.

  • Preparing for Menopause

    Menopause is a time in a woman’s life when their ovaries stop producing hormones and their menstrual periods stop. This is often associated with an inability to get pregnant naturally. Menopause occurs when a woman has not menstruated for 12 months. Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. Preparing for menopause can help reduce the impact of the negative symptoms and help you successfully get through the process.

    Preparing for Menopause

    Women in their 40s and 50s experience their period getting further and further apart. It can occur sooner or later, but the average age women experience this is during mid-life. While the end of menopause is marked by 12 months of not having a menstrual cycle, women experience a variety of symptoms before this period. The time before menopause is referred to as perimenopause and can last between 1 to 10 years.

    Common Menopause Symptoms

    Every woman has a different experience during menopause. Some move through it faster than others, while others have more symptoms. There is no real way to predict how you will experience perimenopause so it’s helpful to be prepared and understand what to expect. Below are some of the following symptoms that women experience during this time.

    Hot Flashes:

    This is often the most common and most well-known symptom. Hot flashes can impact women for up to 10 years before menopause. A wave of heat sensation rises to your head and chest. It can make you feel really hot, look red, sweat on your head, neck, and chest, and then just go away. These often happen at night and can disrupt your sleep. You can’t necessarily stop hot flashes, but there are ways to minimize their impact. Wear layers, carry a handheld fan, and avoid any triggers, such as coffee or spicy foods.

    Difficulty Sleeping:

    Hormonal changes that occur in your 40s and 50s can make getting a good night’s sleep difficult. Not only can you wake up from a hot flash, but you can experience sleep disruptions in general during this time. Experts suggest avoiding tossing and turning as that can exacerbate the issue. Briefly get up and read something mundane or practice mindfulness meditation before bed (and when you wake up in the middle of the night). If you experience issues with your sleep, consider menopausal health treatments in Gig Harbor.

    Inconsistent Moods:

    Before and during menopause you may notice a change in your mood due to a change in your hormone levels. Many women experience moodiness, irritability, sadness, and anxiety. For women who experience these issues every day for two weeks may be dealing with clinical depression. This can be difficult on top of the other menopause symptoms you are experiencing. Depression is serious so it’s important to seek professional help early on.

    Gig Harbor Wellness Center

    The transition women experience during their 40s and 50s can seem foreign. However, there are ways to prepare and move through menopause with ease. Consider the following steps you can take to make your experience smoother.

    • Professional Support: There are effective remedies and menopausal health treatments that can help you move through menopause with ease. The Gig Harbor Wellness Center has helped countless women reduce their menopause symptoms and feel like themselves again.
    • Diet and Exercise: Having a healthy and well-balanced diet can do wonders for your mind and body. Pack nutrient-dense foods into your diet, including fruits, veggies, and healthy protein sources. It is also recommended that adults exercise for 30 minutes a day five days a week. This can improve bone health, digestion, and your mental health.
    • Quality Sleep: While you can’t always control your sleep, there are steps you can take to improve your sleep hygiene. This often results in longer and more quality sleep. Establish a healthy bedtime routine that works for you. Try and get to bed at least 8.5 hours before you need to get up, and avoid snoozing in the morning for optimal sleep.