Your Menopause Education
What is Menopause?
Menopause is technically the moment in time when you haven’t had a period for a year (but that definition doesn’t make sense when you consider the women on birth control or the ones who got a hysterectomy). Before that moment of menopause, it is called Perimenopause, and after that moment, it is called Post menopause. Menopause is also loosely used to describe the entire journey!
So the medical establishment has some work to do to make the term more meaningfully accurate… Don’t worry, our menopause advocates are working on it.
Where Are We On The Science Of Menopause?
Host Flora Lichtman (Science Friday) talks with two menopause researchers, ob-gyn Monica Christmas and epidemiologist Carrie Karvonen-Gutierrez, about what we’ve learned so far—and what misconceptions bug them most.
All About Menopause
93 slides that will make you fluent in "menopause"
Understanding Menopause - from Hina Wellness
What is Perimenopause?
Clinical definitions of menopause terms so you know what your doctor was taught in med school:
(But basically, Perimenopause is before you actually hit Menopause; it's the time your hormones start uncontrollably roller-coastering and affecting every major system in your body (brain, bones, organs, skin, etc.). The symptoms are varied and unpredictable. But menopause experts will tell you that most women are great candidates for hormone therapy, so that you can get off the roller coaster and set yourself up for a healthier post-menopausal life.)
The Cleveland Clinic
The Mayo Clinic
Patient Education
What is Menopause?
These definitions need to change to be more inclusive, but hey, we are where we are. You DO NOT have to wait until you officially hit menopause to start treating it. Start earlier, in perimenopause! Starting HRT early will help you fight osteoporosis, dementia, and all sorts of other ailments!
National Institute on Aging
The Mayo Clinic
Hopkins Medicine
The Cleveland Clinic
What is Post-menopause?
Once your ovaries have officially tapped out, you are no longer producing the hormones at the "normal" levels, and you're evened out at "pretty much none." But you can still be on hormone replacement therapy as long as you and your menopause expert determine is great for you (even vaginal estrogen!). I recommend listening to Dr. Kelly Casperson's podcast about this, as well as Dr. Rachel Rubin's advice.
University of Utah
The Cleveland Clinic
10 Menopause Myths: The New York Times
There are quite a few misconceptions out there about menopause, so make sure you know what's false. (Yes, you can start HRT during perimenopause and stay on it the rest of your life...work with your local menopause expert on this!)
10 Menopause Myths - The New York Times
The Emotional Toll
Make no mistake, menopause takes a toll. Navigate it with confidence (because you have resources!), and know that your body is upgrading to Goddess status.
Don't Lose Yourself - from Resplendence
Glossaries of Menopause lingo
Lots of menopause are thrown around online; learn what they really mean.
Menopause Glossary of Terms - from Hina Wellness
Menopause Glossary - from The Menopause Society
What are the symptoms?
The list of menopause (and perimenopause) symptoms is long and it affects each woman differently. Don't discount anything! But know that these symptoms don't have to plague you for too long. As soon as you "don't feel like yourself," meet with a menopause expert to help you feel good again.
Downloadable list of menopause Symptoms - from The National Menopause Foundation
Complete List of Menopause Symptoms - from Midi Health
Patient education - from The Menopause Society
From True Women's Health
Here are a few ways to understand some of the symptoms that are really annoying. Remember, every journey is different and your menopause expert can help you on your bespoke journey for improvement.
Menopause Treatment Options - You Can Feel Amazing
You Have Options
Be sure to visit with your local expert/healthcare provider on the best menopause treatment for you. You have options to feel great again, even as your body upgrades itself to goddess status.Â
Because your hormones are changing, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective and common way to alleviate symptoms.Â
Learn about some of your menopause treatment options below, then talk to your local expert (found here).
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (or HRT) is a common and very effective way to treat the symptoms of menopause. Very few women are not good candidates. And most of the prescribed hormones are identical to what your body produced, so it's a very natural way to feel better!
Patient Education - Hormone Therapy - from The Menopause Society
Hormone Therapy for Menopause - from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Menopause Topics - Hormone Therapy - from The Menopause Society
Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy - from Progressive Wellness and Aesthetics
Bioidentical Hormone Treatment - from Dr. Verna
Menopause Solutions - Bioidentical Hormones - from Menopause Solutions
Non-Hormonal Options
If you're not a good candidate, or just don't want to do HRT, there are some other ways to mitigate the discomfort. There are also some supplements that work for some women, so talk to your menopause expert about those options for you. See our "latest news" page for some of the meds that have come out for hot flashes and weight gain.
Nonhormonal Treatments for Menopause - from Harvard Medical School
Managing Menopause Without Hormones - from The Cleveland Clinic
Menopause Therapy Guidelines - from The Mayo Clinic
I Need Sleep!
Tips for Better Sleep in Perimenopause and Beyond - from Progressive Wellness and Aesthetics
How Can I Manage Hot Flashes and Night Sweats - from Dr. Gail Zimmerman