Female hormone imbalance symptoms of the menopausal transition phase are often diverse and affect not only the female reproductive system, but also many other parts of the female anatomy. Here are the most common hormone imbalance symptoms:

Skin:

• Skin dryness
• Neuropathies described as unusual sensations under the skin
• New facial hair growth

Urogenital

• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Abnormal uterine bleeding

Vasomotor

• Headaches
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Palpitations
• Lightheadedness
• Hot flushes

Musculoskeletal

• Muscle and joint pains
• Loss of muscle mass
• Sluggishness

Psychological

• Depression
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Memory loss
• Decreased desire for intimate moments with partner such as sexual contact

To understand what happens during menopausal transition, it is important to understand what happens in the female body during the peak of the reproductive years. During the reproductive years, the level of estrogen rises and falls predictably depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Two special hormones, the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, control these cyclic changes in the estrogen level. The follicle-stimulating hormone causes the egg-containing sacs within the ovary – the follicles – to produce estrogen. Sometime before the fertile period, the estrogen reaches a peak level and this event causes the brain to direct the pituitary gland to switch off the follicle-stimulating hormone and produce a luteinizing hormone surge which eventually stimulates the ovary to release an egg during the fertile period. The leftover follicle – that is, the sac that once contained the egg – produces progesterone in preparation for possible pregnancy. The rise of these two hormones, the estrogen and progesterone, causes the pituitary gland to stop producing the follicle-stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone. However, if pregnancy does not take place, the level of progesterone drops and menstrual period starts, causing a new cycle to begin again.

Women, in their late 30s, do not produce the ideal level of progesterone. The quality as well as the number of their follicles also diminish, which results in the decline in the amount of estrogen produced and fewer occasions of egg release from the follicles. However, estrogen does not always drop during this phase; its level can sometimes spike too high. In vain, the follicle-stimulating hormones try to keep the level of estrogen in tight reigns by prodding the ovaries to produce the right amount of estrogen.

With these dramatic hormonal events, perimenopausal symptoms resulting from female hormone imbalance happen.

In 1950s, the pharmaceutical company, Wyeth, made big waves in the hormone replacement therapy market when Premarin, a hormonal therapy medication used as a mood stabilizer and rejuvenating agent, became a sensation in medical journals and doctor’s offices. By the 1960’s, approximately 12 percent of the entire population of premenopausal women in the United States were using Premarin. Unfortunately, however, in 1975 two scientific studies revealed postmenopausal women taking synthetic estrogen had 14 times more risk of developing endometrial cancer compared to those who were not taking the hormone therapy. These studies caused the demand for synthetic estrogen therapy to drop.

Unlike conventional synthetic hormonal therapy used for balancing hormones in perimenopause, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) reduces the risk for dangerous biochemical reactions and other health issues commonly seen with the use of synthetic hormones. Bio-identical hormones are formulated to act like natural human hormones, thereby ensuring a much improved safety profile and maximum effectiveness.

Consult the medical professionals at InShape Medical. They can assess your current hormonal state with the aid of comprehensive testing and then formulate the best treatment option for you.

InShape Medical is a wellness, anti-aging, aesthetics, and weight loss clinic located in the Apex-Cary area of the Triangle, serving the greater Raleigh, NC area. The health professionals atInShape Medical take a mind-body, positive health approach to helping their patients gain better health and well-being using the most effective protocols and practices. Health and wellness coaching is central to their approach and the reason that their clients have such a positive experience and high success rates. They can be reached at (919) 629-9261 or visit them at InShape Medical.