Menopause and Perimenopause: Menopausal and Perimenopausal Symptoms

Review from a patient: June 2004 (In Berkeley Parents’ Network Recommendations)
Re: counseling/perimenopause
With respect to perimenopause, I can highly recommend Jay Sordean, a licensed acupuncturist and naturopath with more than 20 years experience. With the mysterious symptoms I was having due to perimenopausal changes in hormones — as well as a physical injury of my wrist (carpal tunnel) — I have had great results with Dr. Sordean. My ”western doctor” told me I needed a shrink. Jay Sordean helped me balance my hormones and the way my body accesses and uses food — much better. Thyroid, sugar, and hormone issues are interrelated and he helped sort those out with me. I’ve referred many others to him for help as his knowledge of acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, western medicine, and homeopathy is integrative. Nancy

Suffering with night sweats, day sweats, memory loss, dryness? These may be the symptoms of menopause or perimenopause. Acupuncture, herbal formulas, vitamins, and nutriceuticals all my provide relief from the symptoms naturally.

Menopause is the last stage in the natural process of reproductive ability in women. Of course, menopause indicates the complete or permanent cessation of menstruation, usually for at least 6-12 months. Because menstruation occurs only with sufficient amounts of estrogen produced by maturing follicles, menstruation ceases with  declining ovarian function and depletion of a woman’s follicles.

The transition between having regular periods and total cessation of periods is called perimenopause. This can last from two to more than ten years, and the median age of menopause in industrialized countries is about 51. Thus, menopause is not a sudden event but is a gradual physiological process that may be influenced by one’s lifestyle and habits.

With follicular depletion comes a decline in estrogen; and with cessation of ovulation comes a lack of progesterone. These are the two primary hormones given to women treated with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to treat the various symptoms associated with menopause. There are risks associated with hormone replacement therapy; the discomforts and symptoms associated with menopause may be intense enough to move women to try HRT or natural means of mitigating the changes in hormones. At The Redwood Clinic we use a variety of natural approaches to help women with perimenopausal and menopausal changes. Call now to book and appointment to “Take the Natural Path to Optimal Health(tm).”

“My “Western Doctor” told me I needed a shrink — Jay Sordean helped me balance my hormones and the way my body accesses and uses food — much better! Thanks again!” Norma B.