Today, as we enter 2025, I want to talk about a topic that’s near and dear to the hearts of many women: menopause. It’s a natural transition that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and brings with it a range of physical and emotional changes. But fear not—because I’m here to help you navigate this journey with confidence and empower you to embrace this new chapter of your life.
My patients either tend to be motivated to start hormone therapy to get relief from their hot flashes, or they’re already suspicious of it because of what they’ve read on the internet. Admittedly, there is a lot of concerning information out there about hormone therapy and the risks of heart attack, breast cancer, and more.
Understanding the Stages of Menopause
- Perimenopause: Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause and typically begins in a woman’s 40s, although it can start earlier or later. During this stage, hormone levels—particularly estrogen and progesterone—begin to fluctuate, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and other symptoms. Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few months to several years and represents a time of significant hormonal change.
- Menopause: Menopause officially begins when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This typically occurs around age 51, though it varies. Estrogen and progesterone levels remain consistently low, leading to symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, and mood changes.
- Post-Menopause: Post-menopause begins after menopause and lasts for the rest of a woman’s life. Hormonal fluctuations stabilize, but women are at increased risk for conditions such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and cognitive decline due to long-term hormonal changes and aging.
Menopause Treatment Options
- Hormone Therapy: The most common treatment for menopause, hormone therapy involves estrogen and progesterone delivered via pill, skin patch, or vaginal cream. It is FDA-approved for hot flashes, night sweats, and osteoporosis prevention. I prescribe bioidentical hormone therapy, which uses hormones designed to mimic those made naturally by your body. Always discuss risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
- Non-Hormonal Treatments: These include SSRIs, SNRIs, gabapentin, and oxybutynin, which may help manage hot flashes and mood changes.
- Lifestyle Changes: Eating a balanced diet, exercising, getting quality sleep, and managing stress are foundational. Practices like yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques can also help.
- Alternative Remedies: Some women try black cohosh, soy isoflavones, melatonin, or flaxseed. However, evidence supporting these is limited.
It’s very important to work with a physician who approaches your health from a root-cause perspective—not just masking symptoms. I’ve seen many women enter menopause at the unhealthiest point of their lives, struggling with obesity, muscle loss, inactivity, and poor nutrition. These factors dramatically worsen menopausal symptoms.
Embracing Menopause with Confidence
While menopause is a natural and inevitable part of every woman’s life, it does not have to be a source of fear or anxiety. Understanding the process and supporting your body allows you to move through this transition with confidence and grace.
Starting or restarting a wellness and fitness program in the new year is the perfect time to balance hormones, lose weight, improve health, and feel energized. Make 2025 your healthiest year ever.
Support from Primex Cellular Health
At Primex Cellular Health, we support women through every stage of menopause using a holistic, root-cause cellular medicine approach. Our goal is to optimize hormone balance and help you feel your best at every phase of life.
Ready to lose weight, boost energy, improve sex drive, and embrace menopause as a new beginning rather than an end? Let’s talk.
Schedule your OPTIMUM HORMONES 2025 initial virtual consultation with me, Dr. Eric, today.
📞 Call: 1-740-777-9717
📧 Email: eric@drericfete.com
🌐 Visit: drericprimex.com
Here’s to embracing the journey of menopause and stepping into this new chapter with confidence and vitality.
Stay empowered and menopause positive.