Menopause is a normal process of aging in women. As women age, their hormone levels start declining, which leads to periods stopping. Usually, this process starts at age 45 to 55 for most women. The lower levels of hormones that lead to menopause also result in uncomfortable symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Irregular periods
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Weight gain
Many women that are experiencing menopause or are reaching their older years want to know how to optimize their hormones and improve their symptoms for a better quality of life. We’ll explore some of these factors in this article.
Testosterone And Menopause
There is a common misconception that menopause is a time when testosterone levels rise in women, but it is quite the opposite. Both men and women suffer a decline of about 50% in their T levels during their lifespan. This contributes to low libido, less bone density, and a lack of energy in women.
Therefore, it is not a surprise that research has shown the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in menopausal women. Testosterone seems to have a beneficial effect on increasing sex drive and improving mood and other symptoms in menopause. Testosterone is also a building block for estrogen, the “female” hormone, and therefore improves the production of this important molecule in women.
So, if you’re a menopausal or perimenopausal woman and you worry about your testosterone levels being high, don’t worry. Your T is perhaps one of the most important allies at this time of your life. However, too much of anything can be bad. Make sure to get your blood tested to understand your hormones, and discuss your results and treatment options with your doctor.
How To Improve Your Overall Hormonal Health
Another important factor in hormone production is your lifestyle habits. Eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all needed to optimize your hormones in any life stage. Follow these tips for better hormonal health:
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Include a serving of either one in every meal if possible. Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for overall health and hormone production.
- Prefer whole grain foods such as beans, brown rice, and oats. Foods that are high in fiber have an anti-inflammatory effect and will improve your hormonal response.
- Exercise at least 4 times a week. Include both strength training and cardio sessions. This will improve muscle mass, circulation, and resistance and release chemicals that aid in hormone regulation.
- Get good sleep every night. Sleeping 7-9 hours is best for hormonal regulation. Also, some hormones have production peaks during the night.
Following a healthy lifestyle will bring many benefits to your health and well-being. However, sometimes, even when you’re doing everything right, your hormone production might still be insufficient. If that is the case, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) would be an appropriate treatment to alleviate your symptoms (in addition to keeping a healthy lifestyle, of course).
Conclusion
Menopause is a tough time for women that results in many uncomfortable symptoms. There is a misconception that testosterone is the cause of the discomfort, but the reality is that all hormones suffer a decline during this time. Therefore, women that are going through menopause can actually benefit from HRT and more specifically TRT. Lifestyle changes are also a big aid for hormone production. Getting your hormonal levels tested and speaking to your doctor about results and treatment options is the first step to alleviating your menopause symptoms.
Key Takeaways
- Testosterone is not the cause of menopausal symptoms.
- TRT can help menopausal women alleviate symptoms and improve hormonal balance.
- Lifestyle changes are also important to hormonal health and should be considered even with HRT.
- Get your blood tested for hormonal levels and speak to your doctor about your results to get the treatment that suits your needs.