Menopause Night Sweats & Hot Flashes

Health Advice: Is Low-Dose HRT Safe for Menopause Symptoms?

Expert Tracy Gaudet’s advice on when to consider low-dose HRT, nonhormonal treatments, and more

By Tracy Gaudet, M.D. Posted August 19, 2009

I’m a 49-year-old woman struggling with menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, depression, and emotional swings. Is a blood test for estrogen levels worthwhile? (I saw Suzanne Somers talk about this on Oprah.) And is low-dose hormone replacement therapy a valid treatment for these symptoms, or is it too risky?

Tracy Gaudet, M.D.: There are many approaches to menopausal symptoms that can help with this transition. Some of them are hormonal, many are not, and all of these decisions need to be individualized depending on your personal health history, your family history, and the symptoms or issues you are trying to address. In other words, there is no approach that fits all, and having a health provider you trust and who will work with you as you make decisions along this journey is critical.

OK, so you are 49 years old. The FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) level can indicate whether you are hormonally menopausal at this time. This hormone signals your ovaries to develop an egg. When you are not ovulating, it keeps getting higher and can therefore indicate if you are in menopause. An estradiol level will also tell you if your circulating estrogen levels are consistent with premenopausal levels or post-menopausal. In your situation, these levels can help delineate whether your symptoms are due to hormonal changes or other causes need to be investigated.

If indeed these symptoms are due to menopause, which is likely, low-dose HRT is certainly an option that you can consider. The risks and benefits need to be evaluated by a health provider who knows you. In any event, I would recommend you first try nonhormonal approaches, which are often very effective at managing these symptoms. If not, then consider hormone therapy.

Midlife is a perfect time to pull back and reflect on your life and your health. What is in balance, and what is not? Think about all aspects of your health your nutrition, your movement and exercise, the quality of your relationships, the level of your stress, etc. All of these factors, as well as your genetics, affect how you go through menopause. Optimizing your health habits can have a very real impact on these symptoms.

Reducing triggers in your diet, such as hot tea and coffee or wine, can make a big difference, as can exercising regularly. You should practice a stress-reduction technique such as paced breathing at least once a day. offers more information on integrative medicine and women's health. Acupuncture can also ease these symptoms, and massage can help as well. The most important things are to individualize your strategy based on your symptoms and your risk factors, and to realize it is a process. Whatever course you choose, continue to re-evaluate it along the way. What is right for you now might not be right for you in six months or a year.

Anyone of the female persuasion is perhaps already aware of the connection between night sweats and menopause. Many of us have already watched our aunts, mothers and grandmothers go through this process. Although it is a natural part of life but it is also a temporary hormonal imbalance.

So far, the process of menopause can take several years in a woman’s life. And it is not something which can just be ignored. The menopause symptoms and discomforts during this time in life can be hard at best to manage.

Many doctors will suggest and prescribe hormone replacement therapy or other drugs to combat the menopause symptoms. Many women feel these artificial means are potentially harmful to their health and would prefer a more natural treatment to menopause and night sweats. Fortunately many women at this life stage have found relief with hormonal supplements. Here are a few more symptoms that this type of therapy can relieve.

Energy production

Most women who are experiencing menopause believe that their lack of energy is usual and they must deal with feeling run down all of the time. Using an all natural hormone supplement can really help replenish the energy levels which are a part of living a happy and productive life. There is no reason to suffer in silence from lethargy and fatigue. As the hormonal imbalance has been corrected, there is no reason why women even in menopause can’t enjoy the energy levels to experience this exciting time in their lives without the menopause night sweats can introduce as well.

Joint and muscle health

Menopause strikes in the age of 40 to 60 while about the same time many women are growing concerned about other health issues. We know that muscle production is reduced and joint problems such as arthritis are more likely as the body ages. Combating the hormonal imbalance which goes along with menopause becomes even more important in a woman’s life.

Moreover our hormones affect just about every system of the body. As menopause is a natural part of the process, it still can’t be allowed to harm other vital systems like the muscle and joints. The health care world too often focuses on only relieving the night sweats and menopause symptoms however the other systems must be protected as well.

Skin regeneration

It is no surprise to anyone that aging is always damaging to the skin. With the imbalance due to menopause, getting help putting things right is another method to hold back the hands of time on your face. And a balance hormonal system will assist the skin continues to rejuvenate itself.

Symptoms of menopause and night sweats can be treated and their influence limited on your life. Menopause treatment which mention in our website will help you do this through all natural means. It is also useful for treating night sweats and menopause symptoms.

Grace K Lam, who has studies various medical studies and manage to beat menopause naturally, willing to share her experience through website where you can get Free Report and Useful Information about Menopause and Menopause Treatment.

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