Menopause and Post Menopause
Does menopause ever stop?
Well, hold your seats – menopause does not ever stop unless you are no longer alive! There is no post-menopause and there is no such thing as “after” menopause. You see, once the decline in your hormonal levels begins, it continues for the rest of your life.
Time and time again, the female patients that come into my office between the ages of 50 and 70 will invariably ask the following question: “Will I ever get past menopause?” or “why do you think my hormones are out of balance if I am already done with menopause?”
Well, your body unfortunately doesn’t ever get to the point where it is past menopause. What does happen however, is your body will adapt to the hormonal changes over time. These hormonal changes cause things such as:
- sleep problems or insomnia
- fatigue
- hot flashes
- no libido
- weight gain or weight loss
- brittle bones
- memory loss
- pain in joints
- hip problems
- knee problems
- general malaise
- lack of self confidence
Real hormones have the ability to bring back into your life that sense of confidence and vitality. Energy levels return, sex drive increases and even if you are not in a relationship, natural hormone balance can give you a tremendous sense of “sex appeal” – you feel alive and vital! One of the biggest differences between youth and older age is level of energy. Do you feel as thought you have “run out of gas”? Well, balancing your hormones will not give you the youthful energy to be able to climb Mt. Everest (although anything is possible), but it will give you back the “pep in your step”.
Do not give up or give in to the thinking that there isn’t anything you can do to improve your sense of well being or reclaim that youthful vitality that you experienced when you were younger. Ensure that you are a sharp thinking, energetic, happy and laughing, vibrant woman for the rest of your life! If you feel like you have “run out of gas” – don’t wait to “fill your tank” with bioidentical hormones.
Dr. Hoffman offers bioidentical hormones in Santa Rosa and is an integrative, naturopathic medical doctor, specializing in advanced functional medicine.
