Many women seem to undergo rapid aging and a significant decrease in quality of life with the onset of menopause. Recent research shows that a sudden drop in estrogen causes a major surge in cytokines, chemical messengers which set off inflammation throughout the body, and most significantly in the brain. This is very new information which is not known by most doctors. Hormone replacement (HRT) may reduce this inflammatory storm but only slightly. This is why even though HRT may provide some symptom relief, many women experience greatly accelerated aging at this time. As more and more women are looking for alternatives to hormone replacement, it's good to know that there are safe, science-based, effective alternatives to save your brain and aleviate your symptoms.
Fortunately, your body is meant to go through this transition naturally. As the ovaries start to make fewer hormones, other glands normally take over and should provide roughly the same level of estrogen and progesterone as is achieved with hormone replacement.
The catch is that most American women enter menopause with major hormonal imbalances in insulin (blood sugar imbalances) and cortisol (stress), and often an imbalance between the major sex hormones, estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. Since their adrenal glands are unable to keep up with the extra demands of menopause, they experience a sudden, rather than a gradual, drop in estrogen which triggers the sudden, huge increase in inflammation.
Most women only seek help for menopausal symptoms AFTER this estrogen drop has already initiated the inflammatory cascade when it is too late for estrogen alone to solve the problem. Fortunately a holistic approach can go a long way toward dampening the inflammation. It's much better to sove these hormonal imbalances BEFORE the crash.
One result of the huge increase in inflammatory cytokines is a sudden increase in brain inflammation and dysfunction. This can take many forms. he most common are depression, anxiety, or decrease in memory and mental agility. Inflammatory cytokines are a major cause of dementia.
Perimenopause is the time in a woman's life when she is going through the transition from regular menstrual cycles to menopause. Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months with no periods. Some women enter menopause suddenly following surgical removal of the ovaries. For most it is a gradual process which can last months to years and is characterized by increasing irregularity of cycles.
I use salivary hormone profiles and functional blood chemistry to find the cause of your imbalances whcih can then be treated with diet, lifestyle and natural supplements. Your symptoms should improve as we see changes in follow up lab studies.
This information comes from a seminar on the Neuro-Immunology of Perimenopauseby Dr. Datis Kharazian which I attended in September, 2011. It is one of a series of monthly seminars by Dr. Kharazian, which I have been attending for the past year. In addition to two and three day seminars, CD's and reading. I have found this material very effective in treating hormonal, brain and immune system issues. If you or someone you know is entering perimenopause or experiencing menopausal symptoms consider a free, 15 minute consultation to discuss your health and how you can benefit from safe, effective, science based, treatment.
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Dr. George Manlove© 2011 George Manlove, DC All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Manlove, unless otherwise noted. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Manlove. Dr. Manlove encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
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