What seems to have been forgotten is that the menopause is a natural process through which women have passed for generations. In spite of the fact that it is accompanied by hormone changes, it is not a hormone deficient disease. In fact nature is being kind to women in that the high levels of estrogen which women need during the reproductive years are lowered. This has a protective effect in that the risk of breast cancer and heart problems are reduced.
The Estrogen Factor
In the 1950’s doctors and the drug companies decided that the problems some women have at the time of the menopause were due to a lack of estrogen and so it was given to these women. Sadly, many of whom then went on to develop uterine cancer because the uterus was not protected with progesterone. This led the drug companies to produce a chemical progestogen to try and prevent this, instead of using the body’s natural hormone progesterone to protect the uterus. The progestogen did this very well, but unfortunately increased the effect that estrogen has in producing breast cancer. A classic case of solving one problem and creating another.
Help For A Natural Process
Many of the problems associated with the menopause can be dealt with by adjustments to life style and the use of herbal remedies and supplements. If these are not sufficient and hormonal treatment is needed it should be with bio-identical hormones and only for as long as the women needs them which is rarely life long.
The menopause can be a time when women experience problems but it is not compulsory and certainly many women do not do so. It should be seen as a liberating time with no more periods, no more pregnancies, a chance for a woman to be herself and do her own thing.
Further reading:
https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2013/07/26/when-will-your-menopause-start/
https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/04/17/hrt-or-bioidentical-hormones-heres-why/
https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2011/01/06/how-to-come-off-hrt/
https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2013/05/06/which-hormones-do-you-need-progesterone-oestrogen-or-both/
https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/06/08/how-to-most-effectively-use-hormone-creams