Menopausal, happy and healthy

Menopause is a natural biological process in a woman's life that marks the end of reproductive years - it's a time when a woman's ovaries stop producing eggs. While menopause is an inevitable phase of life, it is still regarded as taboo, surrounded by misinformation, fear, and misunderstanding. To help break the stigma associated with menopause, here is what menopause is and the options available for women who experience symptoms.

The Menopause


Menopause typically begins around 50 in most women, although the age range can vary from the late 30s to the early 60s. The onset of menopause is often marked by irregular periods, and as menopause progresses, menstrual periods become less frequent until they eventually stop altogether. The leading cause of menopause is the natural decline in the production of reproductive hormones by the ovaries.

The decline in hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone, can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms. These symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances, to mention a few. For some women, menopause can be an emotionally challenging time, as it signifies the end of their reproductive life.

Women must understand that menopause is a natural process, not a disease. Women experiencing menopause symptoms should not feel ashamed and seek medical help if necessary. Women can learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life through healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol and caffeine intake. However, sometimes this is not enough.

Blood tests available to check hormones levels


To determine if a woman is in menopause, healthcare providers usually order blood tests to check hormone levels. The primary hormones tested during menopause diagnosis include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones are produced in the pituitary gland and are responsible for stimulating the production of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries. During menopause, the levels of estrogen and progesterone decline, resulting in alterations in FSH and LH levels in the blood.

By checking FSH and LH levels, a healthcare provider can determine if a woman is approaching menopause, is in perimenopause (transitional phase to menopause), or has already reached menopause. Elevated levels of FSH, combined with low estrogen levels, can indicate that a woman is in menopause or is approaching it.

Here is the information about some tests that can be done to check if you're in menopause:

1. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test: The FSH test measures the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood. This hormone promotes the growth of ovarian follicles, and a high level of FSH in the blood indicates decreased ovarian function. Women who are going through menopause have higher-than-average levels of FSH.

2. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test: Luteinizing hormone is responsible for triggering ovulation, and its levels rise abruptly around menopause. The LH test measures its levels in the blood, and an elevated level of LH typically points to approaching menopause.

3. Estradiol Test: Estradiol is an estrogen produced by the ovaries. During the early stages of menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate, which can lead to menopausal symptoms. The estradiol test aids in determining the extent to which a woman's hormone levels have begun to decline.

Other tests that may aid in confirming menopause include the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test, Inhibin B, and the Antral Follicle Count (AFC) test. However, these tests are less commonly performed to diagnose menopause.

Testosterone is not typically tested as part of diagnosing menopause however, testosterone levels may be evaluated in special cases, including women experiencing symptoms like low libido or if they have other medical concerns around testosterone levels.

Testosterone is primarily a male hormone but is also present in women in small amounts, and its levels in women gradually decrease with age. Still, testosterone levels do not show a significant decline at menopause. Testosterone levels are not typically used to diagnose menopause or determine the stages of menopause. Instead, healthcare providers primarily rely on the measurement of FSH and LH levels to evaluate hormonal changes and diagnose menopause.

Treatments available to alleviate menopausal symptoms


Various medical treatments are available for women who experience severe or distressing symptoms. These treatments include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can help alleviate symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. HRT involves taking estrogen and sometimes progesterone in the form of pills, skin patches, creams, gels, or vaginal rings.

While Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be a comfortable and effective option for managing menopausal symptoms, not all women can use this treatment. Factors that may make a woman ineligible for HRT or who must be cautious when taking hormones include:

1. History of Breast Cancer: Women with a history of breast cancer, particularly hormone receptor-positive cancer, should not use hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen can promote the growth of breast cancer cells, so hormone therapy can increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

2. Cardiovascular Disease: Hormonal replacement therapy might increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in some women, especially those with a history of heart attack or stroke. Hormones can increase the blood clotting risk and trigger cardiovascular conditions, so women with heart disease need to talk to their doctor before opting for HRT.

3. Liver Disease: Women with liver disease often cannot process hormones effectively. A woman with a history of liver disease or elevated liver enzyme levels may encounter problems when taking HRT.

4. Endometrial or Uterine Cancer: Women with a history of endometrial cancer or uterine cancer or who have abnormal vaginal bleeding should consult a doctor before considering HRT. Estrogen alone, given to women who have had a hysterectomy, raises the risk of endometrial cancer.

5. Blood Clotting Disorders: Women who have blood clotting disorders should avoid hormonal replacement therapy because estrogen increases the blood's clotting factor levels. If women with clotting disorders need hormonal therapy, their doctor will prescribe a non-oral method, such as a skin patch, to lower the medication's impact on the liver.

A natural alternative to alleviate menopause symptoms

Because Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) does not suit all women, we have created Triomphe. This natural product can help alleviate menopausal symptoms without all the risks of HRT.

Soy isoflavone extract


Triomphe is composed partially of soy isoflavones extracts. Isoflavones are plant-based compounds structurally similar to estrogen. They are believed to be better than HRTs for certain menopausal women because they have fewer risks and side effects.

Isoflavones work by binding to estrogen receptors in the body and thereby can mimic some of the effects of estrogen without causing the same side effects as HRT. Additionally, isoflavones have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide additional health benefits.


Humulus Lupulus


Triomphe’s second component is Humulus Lupulus (hops). Hops are a type of plant that contain compounds called phytoestrogens, which can mimic the actions of estrogen in the body. During menopause, when levels of estrogen naturally decline, hops may help to balance hormone levels by providing a mild estrogenic effect.

Studies have shown that hop extract supplementation may reduce the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and insomnia. Hops may also help to prevent bone loss, which is common in menopausal women due to the decrease in estrogen levels. Additionally, hops have been found to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can be beneficial for menopausal women who experience anxiety or irritability.

 

Happy Menopause

We have created Triomphe specifically for women who prefer a natural alternative and to ensure that those who cannot rely on HRT have an effective option to relieve their menopausal symptoms.

 

Whichever option is best for you, it is essential to remember that menopause is a natural process, not a disease. Women who have unpleasant symptoms of menopause should not resign themselves to living with them but find the solution that suits them best to enjoy this new stage of life.

If you would like to learn more about Triomphe or make an appointment to check your hormone levels, call us at (450) 619-1414 or contact us by email at info@enbiomedical.ca please note that a prescription from a licensed physician is always required for biomedical tests.


Learn more about our product, Triomphe and suggested product bundles based on your most severe menopausal symptoms.