Women’s Health & Wellness

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 Perimenopause is the transition to menopause, and is the time when a woman's ovaries gradually stop working and hormone levels change .

 Symptoms can include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and brain fog.

Many women will experience a change in their body shape during the perimenopause and menopause. It is usually due to fluctuating hormone levels.

 Stages of Peri-menopause

• Fatigue.
• Weight gain.
• Brain fog.
• Aches & Pains.
• Hot flushes/night sweats.
• Anxiety/insomnia.
• Vaginal dryness.

 Menopause is a natural part of aging that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years:.  Menopause is when a woman's menstrual periods permanently stop, usually between the ages of 45 and 55.   

Menopause is caused by a decline in estrogen levels and the loss of ovarian follicular function.   Symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, joint and muscle discomfort, moodiness, irritability, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating 

 Common symptoms of menopause

• anxiety.
• changes in mood – such as low mood or irritability.
• changes in skin conditions, including dryness or increase in oiliness and onset of adult acne.
• difficulty sleeping – this may make you feel tired and irritable during the day.
• discomfort during sex.
• feelings of loss of self.

 Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age. It's the most common endocrine disorder in this age group, affecting about 10% of women.   PCOS can cause a variety of symptoms, including: 

• Irregular or missed periods
• Large ovaries or ovaries with many cysts
• Excess body and facial hair
• Weight gain, especially around the belly
• Acne or oily skin
• Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair

PCOS can increase the risk of other chronic diseases:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High LDL ("bad") cholesterol and low HDL ("good") 
• Sleep apnea
• Stroke

 Too much cortisol can cause some of the main symptoms of Cushing syndrome — a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. Cushing syndrome also can cause high blood pressure or bone loss. Sometimes, it can cause type 2 diabetes. 

The best way to lower cortisol in the body is to focus on an anti-inflammatory diet,

 High cortisol levels can cause a number of symptoms, including: 

• Fatty deposits: Between the shoulder blades
• Stretch marks: Wide, purple stretch marks on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and under the arms
• Muscle weakness: In the upper arms and thighs
• High blood pressure: 
• High blood sugar: Which can lead to type 2 diabetes
• Bone loss: Also known as osteoporosis
• Mood swings: Can occur
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