Menopause related allergies, or the connection between gynecology and allergology.Women are more likely to suffer from food allergies, pollen, sensitivity to Tabaco smoke, and asthma. Fluctuations in the hormones cortisol, estrogen and progestogen and Testosterone, which women have, though considered a male sex hormone, all play a role in how the female body reacts when…

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies may be attributed in part to night sweats. Potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) may be a partial result of menopause. Here night sweats lead to fluid loss. This reduces the body’s ability to maintain a proper balance of nutrients like potassium (158).  Potassium is an electrolyte (these conducts electricity in the cells of…

Dry skin, menopause brings about bodily changes that can result in an acceleration of the aging process, specifically a slowdown in hormone synthesis. As well as sex hormones, the body slows the production of growth hormone, melatonin, thyroid hormones and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The body also slows its production of skin renewing properties collagen and elastin,…

A large number of women with menopausal-like symptoms may be suffering from (undiagnosed) thyroid problems. Approximately 30% to 40% of women develop thyroid problems at some point, and the likelihood of developing it increases with age.   Hormonal changes brought on by entering into perimenopause may be partially responsible for this. During pre or peri-menopause the…

Iron Deficient Anemia Up to one third of women may be anemic.  Anemia is often the effect of heavy periods (menorrhagia), other health problems like hypothyroidism, or from medications like antacids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Anemia is diagnosed when a blood test shows a haemoglobin of 12.0g/dL or below . The most common cause of anemia in perimenopausel women…

Panic attacks may increase as the production of estrogen and progesterone goes down. Estrogen helps inhibit the production of the stress hormone cortisol.  As estrogen decreases cortisol production may increase, leading to a rise in both blood sugar and blood pressure.   These changes may lead to feelings of anxiety.  Estrogen is also a neuromodulator that…

Up to 29% of menopausal women will experience depression during the menopausal change.   The erratic hormone fluctuations during this transition can cause depressive symptoms (1;2;3). In the female brain estrogen is a neuromodulator, meaning it can change or disrupt the production of neurotransmitters, including those involving mood.  In most women, until the onset of pre-menopause,…