August 1, 2011
During a recent interview for a television segment on menopause, I found myself in a bit of a quandary on what most women would identify as the most common symptom of menopause.
The interviewer said she was sure the most common symptom was “hot flashes”. She said she believed everyone would be able to identify hot flashes with menopause and hence hot flashes were the hallmark of menopause.
I had a hard time agreeing. Searching through my mind I came up with a litany of symptoms I hear every day and hot flashes, while up there in importance never quite are the definition of menopause to someone like me.
Thus I thought I should write a piece on the symptoms of menopause.
For me personally, night sweats and insomnia were the symptoms that made me take stock and admit that everything else I was complaining about was really part of menopause.
Not that I did not suffer with hot flashes, weight gain, loss of sex drive, itching, migraines, mood swings, anxiety and palpitations. It’s just that they were not the first symptoms that led me to making the connection between me and my menopause.
Today, more than 10 years into my specializing in menopause and hormones, as the doctor-girlfriend to my patients I must make the list a lot more comprehensive and logical so that even the most inveterate deniers can identify where they are without being hit over the head with stupid blood tests or antidepressants,
The most common symptoms of menopause are the following in no particular order and in no necessary sequence:
1. Hot Flashes
2. Night Sweats
3. Insomnia
4. Loss of sex drive
5. Weight gain or rarely loss (those are the women we all hate)
6. Redistribution of body fat to mostly around the waist and belly (yuch)
7. Anxiety
8. Palpitations
9. Depression
10. Vaginal Dryness
11. Recurrent urinary tract infections
12. Irritable bowel
13. Constipation
14. Interstitial Cystitis
15. Allergies- new or increase sensitivity to old ones
16. Fatigue
17. Muscle and joint pains
18. Migraines
19. Itchiness
20. Unexplainable rashes
21. Mood swings
22. Feeling disconnected from your pre menopausal life and interests
23. Unexplained crying jags
24. Irritability
25. Desire to kill your husband just for breathing next to you
26. Desire to run away and give yourself one more chance to live life as you want to this time
27. Either increased fear of dying or a sense that you finally accept it
The list probably goes on forever but for the purpose of this column I will stop and let you digest these 27 points.
They all come from real women I take care of who want me to share them with you. The overriding reason for it is to understand that menopause is not definable by conventional medical terms. It cannot be diagnosed through a blood test or an x-ray. It is you the individual and most likely any symptom you are experiencing now that you have not experienced before is a symptom of menopause. It is not a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a real change that is caused by the loss of your hormones and the aging process advancing along with the hormone loss. However, menopause is not a disease and the symptoms need not be the preamble to a rapid decline into old age and chronic illness.
Take the symptoms and this time of your life seriously but do not get intimidated, scared or panicked by them.
Change your diet, increase your exercise regimen, deal with your stressors, improve the sleep you get, improve your relationships or discard those that rob you of positive energy. Decide to make the compromises that will improve your life and no longer compromise your self.
Take bioidentical hormones only if they fit you philosophically, emotionally and physically. And never let anyone, ever make you feel like there is something wrong with you just because you are in menopause!
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Since 1989, Hotze Health & Wellness Center has helped over 33,000 patients get their lives back using bioidentical hormones that restore hormones to optimal levels, strengthen immune systems, and increase energy levels. Our treatment regimen addresses the root cause of hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies, and candida.
Led by best-selling author, radio host and leading natural health expert, Steven F. Hotze, M.D., our medical team has over 100 years’ combined medical experience backed by a staff of nearly 100 caring professionals who provide an environment of hope and extraordinary hospitality for each of our patients, who we call our guests. It is our deepest desire to help you obtain and maintain health and wellness naturally so that you may enjoy a better quality of life, pure and simple.
Do you want to live a healthy, happy, purpose-driven life? Do you want to restore your health so that your loss of energy, weight gain, joint pain, depression and lack of drive or motivation won’t hold you back from achieving your personal and professional goals?
Dr. Steven Hotze wants that for you, too. In fact, in his powerful and passionate video entitled, “What I Believe”, Dr. Hotze shares how his Christian worldview and pivotal experiences have ignited a deep desire to offer the message of hope and optimal health to all who need to hear it.
At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, our doctors are changing the way women and men are treated through the use of bioidentical hormones. Our natural treatments have helped over 33,000 individuals with hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies, candida, detoxification and nutritional deficiencies.
Meet our doctors"I went from from having fatigue to regaining my energy, motivation, and drive after age 50!”
Pam White2023-03-10At Hotze Health and Wellness YOU can truly find restoration of your health and vibrant life! You will find the most caring and effective healthcare available! Don't hesitate call them today!!!Ron Guidry2023-03-08Doctors are not the final authority in our journey of achieving/maintaining health and wellness but having a good team of doctors in your support and guidance community is not only helpful it is wise and also essential. The team and staff at Hotze Health and Wellness are health professionals that you can trust to help you navigate all the misinformation that may be keeping you separated from your optimal level of health.Caral Reeves2023-01-17Hotze Beauty is a first class facility! Extreme level of professionalism , knowledge & genuine care❤️🩹Julie Hryszko2023-01-12I’ve been a guest at this facility for 15 years. They are the most efficient, thorough and caring group of individuals I’ve ever experienced. Dr Hotze looks to change the way a typical doctor treats patients and looks for root causes to eliminate medical issues instead of treating “symptoms”. My life has improved 100% since my initial visit. The cost of the treatments are worth it.Shavon Sisson2023-01-11Always a great experience dealing with everyone at Hotze Heath and Wellness! Everyone is kind and helpful.Kori Misson2022-12-21I cannot accurately describe in words how I feel about this practice and the entire staff. I have had quite a few health issues throughout the years, rheumatoid arthritis, sjogrens, weight gain, hair loss, irritability, and that is just the beginning. I had pretty much given up on feeling good, just decided to "live with it" and hope for the best. Two very close friends love the Hotze Wellness Clinic and they have experienced life changing health. Made my appointment and from the beginning I felt heard. Not a in and out fast food style practice. They are looked and are looking at my entire body for overall health and wellness. Connections from mind and body to clinical blood work, even dental questions....they care and I feel as if I can trust them. I am on a path to complete wellness and my goal is to have my RA back in remission as it once was....make yourself a priority. Having hope is an incredible feeling!
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