Menopause comes with sharp drops in hormone levels, which can make you feel like your body is going haywire. Discover the symptoms of hormone depletion and what you can do to feel like yourself again.
As you enter menopause, your body slows down estrogen production. The hormone depletion can have a lot of side effects, none of which are very pleasant. The team of experts at YOURx Health in Spring, Texas, led by Leslie Ford, FNP, treats many women for hormone imbalance and estrogen depletion due to menopause.
Effects of hormone depletion during menopause
Hormone depletion as estrogen production tapers sharply can cause familiar menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Lower hormone levels can also lead to:
Weight gain
How your metabolism functions and where you store fat in your body can change during menopause. Typically, your body would concentrate extra fat deposits in your hips and thighs. But as your estrogen plummets, you could see weight gain reflected in an increase in abdominal fat and a larger waistline.
Bone loss and weakness
Estrogen helps keep your bones healthy and strong, but when your estrogen levels decrease, bone loss can happen more rapidly than your body can restore it. This is one reason why women are four times more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis (porous bone) and bone fractures.
Depression
Estrogen levels have also been linked to depression in post-menopausal women. It’s thought that this hormone depletion may cause a decline in serotonin, contributing to mood swings or depression.
More urinary tract infections
You are more likely to get UTIs after menopause, as the lack of estrogen causes a thinning of the tissue in the urethra and higher incidence of infection.
Pain during sexual intercourse
Lowered levels of estrogen lead to vaginal dryness, making sex painful. Using lubrication can help your sex life remain pain-free and enjoyable.
Treating hormone depletion
Treatment for low estrogen levels and hormone depletion symptoms includes:
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Lubricants for vagina dryness
- Changes to nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle habits
- Prescription medications
Dr. Ford carefully plans a course of treatment to relieve your symptoms and help you enjoy life after menopause. She may order tests to measure your hormone levels, look at your familial medical history, and ask if you have depression, anxiety, fatigue, or insomnia. Making a list of any and all symptoms before your visit can help her determine the best solution for you.
If you are struggling with menopausal symptoms caused by hormonal depletion, contact our Spring office or book your consultation with Dr. Ford using our online appointment system.
