Menopause Series, Part 1
Feeling Like Your Body Has Changed Overnight?
Are you having trouble understanding menopause? Have you ever felt like something shifted in your body and you can’t quite explain why?
Maybe your energy is low, your periods have stopped or become irregular, and things that once felt normal now feel unfamiliar. These changes may be signs that your body is entering menopause or perimenopause, the natural transition that signals the end of your reproductive years.
A Quick Refresher on Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle
In a typical menstrual cycle, your brain and ovaries work together to regulate hormone production. Your brain sends signals using two key hormones: FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). These signals prompt your ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone, the main hormones that control ovulation, menstrual cycles, and many other processes in your body.
This system works in a feedback loop. When estrogen and progesterone levels are where they should be, your brain adjusts the signals to maintain balance. But during menopause, this balance begins to shift.
What Changes in Menopause
As you age, your ovaries gradually become less responsive to signals from the brain. They slow down hormone production and eventually stop producing estrogen and progesterone altogether. Without these hormones, the menstrual cycle becomes irregular and eventually stops completely.
You are considered to be in menopause when you have gone 12 full months without a period. The average age for menopause in the U.S. is 51, though it can vary widely.
Before menopause officially begins, most people go through perimenopause, a transitional phase that can last several years. During perimenopause, hormone levels rise and fall unpredictably. This fluctuation can cause a wide range of symptoms including:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Mood swings or anxiety
- Brain fog or trouble concentrating
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Sleep disturbances
- Weight gain or changes in body composition
These symptoms are not just “in your head.” They are the result of real physiological changes in hormone levels and their impact on different systems in your body.
The Role of Estrogen and Progesterone Beyond Periods
Estrogen and progesterone influence much more than just the menstrual cycle. Estrogen plays an important role in bone density, skin elasticity, cognitive function, cholesterol levels, and even mood regulation. Progesterone has calming effects on the nervous system and helps support sleep, balance inflammation, and regulate fluid levels.
When these hormones decline, it can affect your overall sense of well-being. Understanding what’s changing in your body helps take the mystery, and often the fear, out of menopause.
Understanding The Different Types of Menopause
There’s more than one way to experience menopause. Here are the most common types:
- Natural menopause occurs as a normal part of aging, typically between ages 45 and 55.
- Premature menopause happens before age 40, sometimes due to genetics, autoimmune conditions, or unknown causes.
- Surgical menopause results when both ovaries are removed, often causing more sudden and intense symptoms.
- Chemical menopause can be triggered by cancer treatments like chemotherapy or medications that intentionally stop ovarian function.
No matter how it begins, all types of menopause involve the same hormonal shifts. However, the intensity, timing, and impact of symptoms may vary depending on the cause.
You don’t have to navigate menopause alone.
- Schedule a FREE consultation with Parker Mason Wellness to learn how we can support you through hormonal changes with testing, education, and personalized care.
In Part 2, we will explore the symptoms of menopause, including the ones no one talks about.
