Menopause and perimenopause

Menopause means the period when the function of the ovaries weakens and eventually shuts down. Menopause means the last period caused by your own hormonal activity. The criteria for a menopausal woman are periods lasting more than a year when she has not had her period.

The average age of menopause is 51 years, but there is great individual variation. More than half of menopausal women experience menopause and perimenopause-related autonomic nervous system symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Obesity, smoking, drinking a lot of coffee can worsen the symptoms. A sudden decrease in the amount of estrogen also intensifies the symptoms. This can happen, for example, in connection with the removal of the ovaries.

Typical menopause symptoms:

• Hot waves
• Heart palpitations
• Insomnia
• Fatigue, irritability, mood swings
• Dejection
• Dryness of mucous membranes
• Reluctance
• Urinary tract infections
• Impairment of urinary continence
• An increase in joint symptoms and muscle pain

During menopause, changes also occur in the body. Many first notice a decrease in skin elasticity. Collagen synthesis decreases and as a result wrinkles start to appear on the skin. The breasts may become smaller and the mucous membranes may become thinner and feel drier. Bone health can also deteriorate.

Premenopause

Before menopause, the decrease in estrogen production can cause symptoms, already years before menstruation stops. In this case, we talk about premenopause. A symptom of this may be cycle irregularity or shortening of the menstrual cycle. If you notice hormonal symptoms, you should see a doctor and make sure it’s not a completely different health reason.

Medical treatment of menopausal symptoms

Menopause symptoms are usually treated with hormone replacement therapy. However, the treatment should not be started too early, but only when the bleeding has decreased and the woman has clear symptoms related to menopause. Hormone therapy is not suitable if the woman has been diagnosed with or has had breast cancer or gynecological cancer, pulmonary hemorrhage, venous blockages, or severe heart failure. Contraindications should always be mapped on a case-by-case basis.

Natural treatment for menopause symptoms

As I mentioned earlier, lifestyle also affects hormonal changes and symptoms. It is also possible to balance hormone activity without hormone replacement therapy. However, it is important to initially map out the starting situation and find out exactly what the hormonal profile is. Is it definitely a lack of estrogen or, for example, an unfavorable estrogen-progesterone ratio? Especially during menopause and perimenopause, hormone concentrations can be determined under the guidance of a doctor or gynecologist who is familiar with the matter.The DUTCH test, which can be done at home, is also an option if, in addition to sex hormones (estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA), you want information on cortisol and melatonin concentrations and hormone metabolism.

Conclusion

Navigating menopause and perimenopause is a deeply individual journey, and support can make all the difference. If you’re looking for gentle, natural ways to ease this transition and feel more balanced in your body, you’re warmly invited to explore the Hormone Harmony program— designed to nurture your well-being through every stage of hormonal change.

If you want to get more detailed data about your own hormone activity, check out the DUTCH hormone analysis. In addition to female hormones, it measures the concentrations of cortisone, melatonin, DHEA and testosterone hormones, including the breakdown products of hormone metabolism.