Hormones and Stress

Stress, as we already know, has a multitude of negative effects on the body. It can have long term negative health consequences for your body and it can also affect your hormone levels and how you experience menopause. High stress can cause the early onset of menopause and it can determine whether menopause symptoms during this time are severe or not.

Stress and other issues can affect how we experience menopause. Lifestyle issues can affect your menopause symptoms. Unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol and unresolved problems can effect your symptoms. Life events, divorces, problems with your teenage children and even traveling can upset your hormone balance. You may experience weight gain for no reason or an increase in hot flashes. You may experience increased tiredness. All of these symptoms are because your hormone levels are decreasing and stress is blunting the positive effects of bioidentical hormones.

If you are using bioidentical hormones, you may find that your estrogen levels decrease because of stress. You may suddenly be gaining weight, even though you are eating carefully. Your bioidentical doctor can re-test your hormone levels and decide that you need an increase in your estrogen (estradiol) or progesterone cream until your symptoms have disappeared and a second hormone test shows that your levels have become more adequate.

Because of the negative effects of stress on your hormones, try to find ways to reduce your stress. Eating a careful, healthy diet will help. Quit smoking and stop drinking in excess. If you have unresolved life issues, try and work these problems through with the help of friends or relatives or a therapist. Add some yoga sessions to your daily life. Learn to meditate and breathe deeply. Center yourself. Think positive thoughts and visualize your life without these problems. These are all ways that you can reduce the stress in your life, balance your hormones and be healthier. All of these things will affect how you experience menopause.

Menopause is no easy ride. It takes strength and health to manage this passage of life. However, it is a time of new beginnings and change and can be a positive force in your life.