Menopause marks a major transition in a woman’s life, bringing with it a host of physiological changes — many of which stem from a sharp decline in estrogen and progesterone levels. While hot flashes and mood swings are commonly discussed, one of the less visible but equally significant impacts is the effect on muscle mass and overall physical strength. As women enter their 50s and beyond, strength training becomes not just beneficial, but essential.
Menopause is a significant life transition for women, marked by the end of menstruation and the onset of various physical and emotional changes. Menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia, can vary greatly among women and may last for several years. During this time, women also experience an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia. Women need a short-term plan to address symptoms and a long-term plan to prevent chronic disease. Naturopathic medicine is the perfect discipline to deliver on these goals. Here are several reasons why it is so well-suited to a menopausal patient.
Menopause Group Classes for Naturopathic Patients at KIHC
with Dr. Angela Hunt ND
6 Thursday classes, each held once a month, beginning October 2024
I’ll come right out and say it: I’m a healthy middle-aged woman who thought that her experiment with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) would validate her choice to regularly enjoy things like nutty muesli, whole-grain toast, and the odd beer, without consequence. This experiment was a useful wakeup call.
We use the term menopause to mark the end of hormone production by a woman’s ovaries and the permanent end of her menstrual cycle. Perimenopause precedes menopause, and is characterized by irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and various other symptoms related to a decline in ovarian hormone production. Initially, progesterone levels decrease, followed by estrogen. This hormonal shift can make perimenopause symptomatic for many women. Let’s debunk some common myths about perimenopause:
By Dr Angela Hunt ND, MSCP
After a decade of 1:1 patient care, I have recently started a group medicine program for women going through menopause. After four months working with these women I have made some discoveries about the power of community and the need for it in our healthcare systems.
Menopause Group Classes for Naturopathic Patients at KIHC
with Dr. Angela Hunt ND
6 Thursday classes, each held once a month, beginning October 2023
Shamanic healers from around the world offer a different perspective of what it means for a woman to transition from a regular menstrual cycle and fertility, through to menopause. I asked our shamanic practitioner, Lisa Sabatini, to share her insight with us.
I have women come to see me from 40 to 70 years of age asking about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Yet, hormones are not the right solution for every woman and not appropriate for all ages. Though every case must be treated individually (e.g. by exploring family history, personal history, and blood work results), there are some general guidelines for initiating HRT.
I have many women arrive at my office asking me to test their hormones in menopause. I often tell them that though I think blood work is a good idea, they may be surprised to learn that hormones aren’t on the top of my list. If a woman is menopausal, meaning it has been a full year without her period, then I can guess with good accuracy what her serum (blood) hormones are currently. Her estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone will both be low and her FSH and LH will be high. In complex hormone cases (e.g. endometriosis, PCOS, early menopause), I will sometimes order a comprehensive urine hormone test to get an overview of a woman’s hormone picture. This test is called a DUTCH test and is a topic for another article, but for most women it is fairly predictable where their reproductive hormones are at in menopause. Let’s break down these hormones for a better understanding.
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