During menopause, declining estrogen levels can trigger a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Common issues include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. These symptoms occur as the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. Lower hormone levels impact the brain and body in various ways.
Key reasons you may feel unwell during menopause include:
- Hormone fluctuations. Estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall unevenly during perimenopause and become very low in postmenopause. This leads to symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes.
- Brain chemistry changes. Lower estrogen impacts serotonin and norepinephrine, affecting mood and sleep.
- Physical discomfort. Symptoms like vaginal dryness and painful intercourse can make you feel generally unwell.
- Sleep problems. Night sweats and hot flashes often disrupt sleep. Poor sleep exacerbates issues like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and low motivation.
- Emotional impact. Some women feel distress over lost fertility or negative body image issues during menopause. Mental health conditions may surface or worsen.
Why Hot Flashes Occur
Hot flashes result from fluctuating estrogen signals to the brain's thermoregulation center. When estrogen drops, the brain may inaccurately sense that you are too hot, leading to:
- Sudden feeling of intense body heat, often with flushing and reddening of skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Perspiration and skin dampness
Managing Hot Flashes
Strategies to minimize hot flash severity include:
- Staying cool with layered, loose bedclothes, cooling fans
- Avoiding caffeine, spicy foods, hot beverages, alcohol, stress
- Practicing slow abdominal breathing at onset
- Considering non-hormonal medications or low-dose hormone therapy
Vaginal Atrophy Symptoms
Declining estrogen also impacts vaginal cells and tissues.
Vaginal atrophy can cause:
- Vaginal dryness and irritation
- Pain during sexual activity
- Urinary urgency or recurring UTIs
- Light spotting after intercourse
Relieving Vaginal Atrophy
Options for alleviating
vaginal atrophy include:
- Long-term low-dose vaginal estrogen
- Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants
- Continuing sexual activity to increase blood flow
Seeking Treatment for Menopause Symptoms
While some symptoms naturally improve after menopause, treatment can ease the transition.
Hormone therapy helps regulate hormones.
Alternatives like antidepressants, gabapentin or clonidine also relieve hot flashes.
At Vitality Renewal Clinic, our compassionate providers offer cutting-edge hormone treatments tailored to your needs. Contact us today to discuss hormone therapy, vaginal rejuvenation, libido enhancers and more. With individualized care, you can feel healthier and regain quality of life.
I hope reviewing some of the key reasons behind feeling unwell during menopause gives you a deeper understanding. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!
