Menopause

Kim experienced the worst cramps of her life on the day she turned 46. She’d never really dealt with PMS before—only the occasional moody afternoon or minor breakout, nothing debilitating. But from that cycle onward, she had all the symptoms she’d watched her “unlucky” friends struggle with: bloating, breast tenderness, cravings, irritability, and severe menstrual cramping that seemed to press pause on her entire life. Kim went to her doctor seeking answers and was surprised to discover that her PMS symptoms marked the beginning of perimenopause.

It’s easy to be a partner during easy times.

That’s a simple statement, but being long-term partners with someone is sometimes relatively straightforward. Things are normal, and you both know the rules and know how to behave. Things might not be “easy”, per se, but you know how to deal with them. The ups and downs of life have established a pattern, and you get it. You know what to do.

Angie couldn’t understand why she felt worse after the hysterectomy than she did before. At first, she assumed she was still recovering and just needed to give it a bit…

After years of warnings from doctors, public health campaigns, and loved ones, women know to be on their guard when it comes to osteoporosis. Too many of us have seen the toll that osteoporosis can cause up close, and chances are that you’re motivated to do everything you can to age gracefully and stay healthy. But many women underestimate the impact of menopause on their risk of developing osteoporosis.

Dyspareunia is a big, intimidating word for something most women dread: experiencing pain during sex. Especially for women who have recently undergone a partial or total hysterectomy, painful sex can be scary and even heartbreaking. Not only is it frustrating, it also causes some women to feel embarrassed or ashamed of their bodies and prevents them from participating in fulfilling sexual relationships. These reactions can make it difficult for women to discuss their symptoms with the doctors who may be able to help relieve their pain.

Watching women go through menopause, you understand immediately why hot flashes are such a big deal. The rush of heat, flushing and blotchy skin, and perspiration can be distressing and embarrassing at the best of times—and when these moments occur at night, they may be even worse. Menopausal women often deal with the rapid heartbeat and uncomfortable flushing multiple times per day (or per hour) and can experience chronic insomnia as a result. Depending on the woman, this perfect storm of discomfort can last anywhere from five to ten years or more. Combine hot flashes with the mood swings, vaginal discomfort, and other widely varied symptoms of menopause, and it’s no wonder women are seeking relief.

Billie struggled with painful periods throughout her adult years. She felt at the mercy of her monthly cycles, which were irregular, heavy, and came with crippling cramps. At age 23 her doctor finally put a name on her discomfort: endometriosis. But even with an accurate diagnosis, she struggled for years to find the right treatment. Relief only came after her second pregnancy when doctors urged her toward surgery to finally address her painful symptoms; thanks to a radical hysterectomy, Billie’s life changed forever. But while the hysterectomy brought welcome relief from her pain, it also introduced new complications.

As we age, we’re often left trying to understand what is going on when our bodies start to undergo natural transitions, and the transition to menopause is often one of the most puzzling. Women often understand what to expect from menopause itself, but many aren’t as informed regarding the changes that they undergo in the years leading up to it, also known as perimenopause.

Menopause is a natural phenomenon that women experience as they age. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. As your ovaries cease estrogen production, you’ve likely experienced some of your most significant bodily changes since puberty. Hot flashes, weight gain, insomnia, and depression are just the tip of the iceberg for women in the beginning of menopause, and some women deal with these symptoms for years afterward.

With the advent of menopause, women may experience a host of symptoms that can have a profound impact on both physical and emotional well-being. To address these symptoms, a growing number of women are turning to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in order to replenish hormone levels and ease discomfort. While estrogen is often the centerpiece of these hormonal therapies, progesterone can also have a significant impact on functionality and quality of life.