Frequently Asked Questions…

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What is Menopause?

Menopause is defined as the cessation of menstruation (a woman’s monthly cycle) as a result of the normal decline in ovarian function. Technically, you enter menopause following twelve consecutive months without a period – it signals the end of fertility and the beginning of a new and potentially rewarding time in a woman’s life.

Understanding Menopause?

To best understand what occurs at menopause, it is helpful to know about the physiology of menstruation and the hormones that are involved. Hormones are substances in our bodies that act like messengers. They travel throughout the body and can bind to specialized areas of cells known as receptor sites, where they then initiate a specific chain of events:

• The first half of the menstrual cycle is dominated by estrogen, whose role is to build the lining of the uterus in preparation for a potential pregnancy. At approximately day 14 of the cycle, or two weeks prior to menstruation, an egg is released from the ovaries – which is referred to as ovulation.
• As a result of ovulation, the ovary begins producing progesterone. It is during this second half of the cycle that progesterone is dominant. Progesterone’s role is to change the character of the uterine lining to prepare for pregnancy, and to prevent further buildup of the lining by estrogen.
• At the end of the cycle, if the egg is not fertilized, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, causing a sloughing of the uterine lining, or menstruation. The body goes through this cycle every month to ensure a fresh uterine lining in preparation for a potential pregnancy.
• If a woman fails to ovulate, however, she does not produce progesterone, and this may result in the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, including: hot flashes, heart palpitations, night sweats, dry skin, itching, insomnia, mood swings, allergies, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, crying for no apparent reason, general irritability and/or anger, hair thinning/loss, pain during sex, more urinary infections, urinary incontinence, decreased or non-existent libido, weight gain, forgetfulness, problems with concentration and memory and so forth

For most women, natural menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age of onset being 51.4 years of age. In rare instances, menopause can occur as early as the 30’s or as late as the 60’s and is considered premature if it occurs before the age of 40, or artificial if radiation exposure, chemotherapeutic drugs, or surgery induces it. Other factors that may contribute to the early onset of menopause include a history of smoking, poor nutrition, a co-existing medical condition, or even a traumatic experience.

Until a woman is technically considered menopausal (aka postmenopausal), she’s considered to be premenopausal, also referred to as perimenopause. It’s during the perimenopausal phase that most women experience unwanted symptoms – but once hormones have leveled off, most symptoms disappear. However, during this symptomatic transition, quality supplements can be employed to help ease the symptoms – encouraging a smoother transition.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use this information for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have, or suspect you might have, a health problem.