Perimenopause or menopause symptoms? What should you be discussing with your doctor?

The cessation of menses for some woman can be a time of liberation and freedom, but for some it can be a difficult change. Women may experience a whole host of physical and mental-emotional symptoms during this new stage of life. Working with a physician/healthcare team to manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms may make this time of hormonal change, one of graceful transition.

Things your physician should be discussing with you
- lab analysis of female hormones
- lab analysis of other hormones (i.e Thyroid testing – TSH, FT3, FT4)
- options for hormonal balance (i.e. HRT, bioidentical hormones, herbal/lifestyle)
- options to soothe/calm symptoms
- risks of conditions as the estrogen levels drop in the body (some maybe more susceptible to cardiovascular incidents for example)

Watch this short video which discusses some lifestyle choices one may want to implement – http://www.askdrkassam.com (Episode #5: Menopause Video)

**Always consult your physician or healthcare team before starting any new supplementation or dietary change.

Key points in video:
1. Opting for an anti-inflammatory diet and/or anti-oxidant rich diet – reaching for foods vibrant in color such as thick-skinned berries, fresh apples, and dark leafy greens.
2. Fish oil to decrease inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, and assist with moods
3. Address depression & low mood with dietary choices. Research indicates that individuals suffering from low mood may benefit by eating each for foods rich in biotin, magnesium and/or vitamin B12.
4. Address headaches – discuss the type, frequency, and severity of headaches with your physician. If dx with migraine headaches, new studies show that supplementing with vitamin B2 / riboflavin may be useful.
5. Address sleep disturbances – hot flashes, as well as many other factors, can affect your sleep, which is essential for your health and well-being. Furthermore, lack of sleep can lead to a huge host of problems and symptoms including irritability, moodiness, and impaired memory. Hormonal management may be the key here.

Filed under: Diet and Nutrition, Endocrine, Menopause, Naturopathic Medicine, Reproductive by Natasha Kassam, ND