Recognizing Menopausal Symptoms Is The First Step

Dr. Enrique Jacome

When I ask patients to give me a definition of menopause, I receive a variety of answers that consist of “When you get hot flashes” to “Not having a period for over a year”.  Many women go under diagnosed because of the failure of physicians to apply a scientific method for diagnosis. 

Scientifically, a diagnosis is when the level of follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) reaches a level greater than 23 miu/ml, whether she is menstruating or not. Peri-menopause typically begins when a woman is in her 40’s and can average 4 to 8 years.  Menopause occurs roughly in women their early 50’s. Every year it is estimated that 1.3 million women are expected to reach menopause.

I will take you through a series of symptoms that a woman should look for and what should she do next.  NO woman should ever have to suffer through any symptom(s) nor feel less than a woman.  Menopause is a natural part of the aging process.  Not all symptoms will show in all women.  Please use this as a guide only.

During the menopausal transition women may experience sexual dysfunction as well as depressive symptoms.  Due to the loss of estrogen, one’s symptoms can also consist of:

• Hot flashes
• Severe sweating – can happen both day and night
• Insomnia
• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal discomfort
• Irritability
• Loss of memory or fuzzy thinking
• Cold sweats
• Irregular periods
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Sadness

When a woman comes to me with symptoms, as previously stated, I take the time to listen to what each individual patient is telling me, never discounting any of their feelings or symptoms.  My immediate instinct as a Doctor is to help her improve her symptoms and get her on the right track to feeling like a woman again.  My first recommendation is that they have a simple blood test that will measure their pituitary hormone Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) level. Depending upon the blood work I get back from their testing’s, my suggested and most successful form of hormone replacement would be via the Pellet Hormone Delivery System (PHDS). Women who have their hormones replaced via PHDS allows the body to recreate a continuous flow of hormones that the ovaries normally and previously produced within their bodies.  This method of delivery is more important than any other type of replacement therapy as it is surgically inserted and allows the body to control the release of the hormones over time.  Nothing in an oral, patch or cream can reproduce the normal hormone correction that is needed.

Always remember to go with your instinct regarding how you are feeling and if you are displaying some of the symptoms above, as each woman knows best how they should feel and seek the advice of a doctor.  Don’t ever give in or give up to the ugly face of menopause.

Remember to put your fears away, as life during and after menopause can be quite enjoyable!

www.sottopelletherapy.com/doctors/enrique-jacome-md