Premenopause – Perimenopause – Menopause

 

 

A woman’s menopause (also known as "climacteric") describes a natural process characterized by a gradual decline in endocrine ovarian function and fertility around the age of 50. This decline not only affects the production of estrogen and progesterone, but also that of androgens.

 

This process unfolds step by step over several years:

 

• Stage 1: reduction in progesterone production (premenopause, typically beginning in the late 30s)

• Stage 2: no ovulation, but still cyclical increase in estrogen (perimenopause – within this period, the menopause occurs, which refers to the last menstrual period)

• Stage 3: no secretion of estrogens and androgens (postmenopause)

 

An acute estrogen deficiency often shows symptoms such as sweating, hot flashes, restlessness, irritability, sleep disorder, weight gain and mood swings.

 

Many degenerative changes and functional impairments in old age are associated with postmenopausal hormone deficiencies (e.g. dry skin and mucous membranes, urogenital issues, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis and cognitive impairments).

 

Caution: In cases of prolonged estrogen deficiency, menopausal symptoms, in the later stages of postmenopause, subside and eventually disappear. However, this is due to a sort of "desensitization" of estrogen receptors, meaning that the estrogen deficiency persists and contributes to degenerative changes in organs.

 

The period between the beginning of hormone deficiency and the manifestation of clinically adverse effects can be used for hormonal prevention. For that, physiological hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical (endogenous) hormones is crucial.

 

The goal is to restore well-being by achieving physiologically effective hormone levels similar to those of young and healthy adults.

 

Physiological hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical hormones serves not only as treatment, but also as prevention.