Menopause in Women
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when hormones tend to follow a unique pattern. We provide information on the most common symptoms, potential health effects, and how nature can help.
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What happens to my hormones?
Every woman going through the hormonal changes of menopause has surely asked herself this question.
Researchers now believe that over 1,000 hormones coordinate our bodily functions, many of which decline as we age. This is particularly noticeable with the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, as their levels can drop sharply in some cases and have a major impact on both physical and mental well-being.
The Protective Role of Estrogens
Even though the monthly hormonal cycle can be a source of distress for many younger women (for example, due to premenstrual syndrome, PMS), female sex hormones play an important protective role in women’s health.
For example, until menopause, women have a lower risk of heart attack than men. This is because estrogen has a vasodilatory effect, which can help prevent coronary heart disease. Furthermore, it has a positive effect on fat metabolism—and thus on cholesterol levels—thereby helping to prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Starting with menopause, hormone levels decline, and with them, the protective effects. Statistical data show that the risk of diabetes, heart attack, high blood pressure, and dementia then becomes comparable to—or even exceeds—that of men.
Hormones and Dementia
A Chinese study from 2022 shows that estrogens are a key factor in the development of dementia. Estrogens protect the C3 protein (which is part of the innate immune system) from a malformation that is believed to be responsible for the death of nerve cells in the brain. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, the risk increases that the C3 protein will become malformed and destroy healthy synapses.
The Role of Progesterone
During menopause, progesterone levels also drop, as the production of this hormone is linked to ovulation. Progesterone plays an important role in maintaining hormonal balance—and thus in keeping the body healthy—by counterbalancing the effects of estrogen. If progesterone levels remain chronically low in the body, estrogen dominance can develop, leading to an increased risk of breast cancer and other serious diseases.
Progesterone also plays many important roles in women going through menopause, including the following:
- protects the uterine lining from excessive growth stimulated by estrogen
- protects against benign nodular changes in the breast
- helps convert fat into energy
- promotes urination
- acts as a natural antidepressant
- protects against uterine cancer
- activates and increases the number of bone-forming cells
The Most Common Complaints
Of course, every woman experiences different symptoms, yet many report similar complaints:
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Sleep Disorders
- change in appetite
- slower metabolism
- more sensitive digestion
- Circulatory disorders and much more
Often, a whole range of symptoms occurs together. However, since some of these symptoms may also be signs of an illness, they should be evaluated by a doctor or therapist if they persist over a longer period of time.
The Natural Pharmacy
If you experience severe symptoms during menopause, hormone therapy under a doctor’s supervision can provide relief. However, naturopathy can also offer support, for example through wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), yam (which naturally produces progesterone), or the Asian medicinal plant Pueraria mirifica.
The tropical plant Pueraria has been used in Asia for centuries to relieve menopausal symptoms in women, as it naturally regulates hormone balance. The plant is rich in phytoestrogens, phenol, miroestrol, and deoxy miroestrol, which enhance estrogenic activity.