Throughout your life, your hormones are constantly changing and shifting. With menopause, many women will see yet another shift in their hormones. Hormones directly affect many aspects of the body, one of them being sexual function in multiple ways. With a drop in hormones, you may experience a loss of sexual interest that makes you unhappy. Luckily, there are treatments like HRT available in Brentwood, Tennessee.

What is Menopause and When Does It Typically Occur?

Menopause marks the end of a person’s menstrual cycles and their ability to conceive naturally. This life stage is typically reached when a person has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

Age and Timing

In the United States, the average age for reaching menopause is around 52 years. However, it’s crucial to understand that this can vary. Many may experience menopause in their late 40s, while others may not until their mid-50s.

The Transition: Perimenopause

Before menopause, individuals go through a transitional phase known as perimenopause. This period can last between 2 to 8 years, with 4 years being the average duration. During this time, significant hormonal fluctuations occur, leading to various symptoms like:

  • Irregular periods
  • Hot flashes
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Mood swings
  • Vaginal dryness

Hormonal Changes and Symptoms

As menopause sets in, the ovaries produce much lower, steady levels of estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes can affect several aspects of health:

  • Sex Drive: Reduced estrogen may decrease libido.
  • Bone Health: Lower estrogen levels can also lead to decreased bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
  • Cardiovascular Risks: The drop in hormone levels may elevate the chances of heart disease and stroke.

Understanding menopause and its timeline can help you prepare for and manage the associated changes more effectively.

What is HRT for women?

HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. There are a few reasons why you might consider hormone replacement treatment.

Conditions that cause hormone imbalances in women:

  • Menopause
  • PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
  • POI (primary ovarian insufficiency)
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Insufficient Sleep
  • Thyroid problems
  • Extremely high stress
  • Pregnancy
  • Hysterectomy
  • Bilateral oophorectomy

How Do Hormone Levels Change During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy marks a series of intricate hormonal changes that prepare the body for nurturing the developing embryo.

Implantation and Initial Hormonal Shifts

The journey begins when a fertilized egg implants itself into the lining of the uterus. This implantation triggers the formation of the placenta, which takes the lead in hormone production.

Key Hormones and Their Roles

Progesterone

  • Initial Increase: Progesterone levels rise sharply in the first weeks after implantation.
  • Functions: This hormone thickens the cervix, creating a mucus plug that blocks the cervical canal, protecting the pregnancy.

Relaxin

  • Early Production: Relaxin prevents uterine contractions, helping to maintain the early stages of pregnancy.
  • Late Role: Near the end of pregnancy, relaxin aids in loosening the pelvic ligaments and tendons to facilitate childbirth.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

  • Stimulation of Other Hormones: hCG encourages the continued production of progesterone and also boosts estrogen levels.
  • Early Pregnancy Symptoms: The rapid increase in hCG levels is associated with early pregnancy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and frequent urination.

The changes in hormone levels during pregnancy are a well-coordinated sequence of events. Hormones like progesterone, relaxin, and hCG rise and fall in significant patterns, each playing a vital role in maintaining pregnancy and preparing the body for delivery. This complex hormonal ballet is what sustains the embryo and prepares the mother’s body for the journey of childbirth.

What Hormones are in Hormone Replacement Therapy

Estrogen is the primary hormone used in hormone therapy for women. The estrogen is administered in multiple ways, so you will need to talk with Dr. Lodge to decide which is the best type of HRT treatment for you. Hormones are available by pill, patch, topical skin cream, and inserted vaginally. The pill form is the most common way to treat menopause symptoms, and the vaginally inserted options treat vaginal dryness, itchiness, and pain during intercourse.

Combination therapy is another option that uses multiple hormone types in a variety of doses. Estrogen, progesterone, and progestin will be used in different amounts depending on the product and its intended use. Progesterone can help with menopausal symptoms like hot flashes specifically, for example.

Understanding the Types of Female Sex Hormones

Female sex hormones are primarily produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. These hormones play vital roles in various bodily functions, from reproductive health to overall wellness. The main types of female sex hormones are:

Estrogen

Estrogen is one of the most essential female hormones. Though it is primarily produced in the ovaries, smaller amounts also come from the adrenal glands and fat cells. This hormone is pivotal for reproductive and sexual development, particularly during puberty. Estrogen regulates the menstrual cycle, supports pregnancy, and maintains secondary sexual characteristics.

Progesterone

Progesterone is another key hormone produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and placenta (during pregnancy). Its levels rise during ovulation and peak while pregnant. Progesterone is fundamental for stabilizing menstrual cycles and preparing the body for conception and pregnancy. Insufficient progesterone can cause irregular periods, conceiving issues, and increased pregnancy complications.

Testosterone

While testosterone is predominantly associated with males, it is also a significant hormone in females, although in smaller amounts. In women, testosterone contributes to various functions, including:

  • Enhancing fertility
  • Boosting sexual desire
  • Regulating menstruation
  • Sustaining tissue and bone mass
  • Aiding in red blood cell production

These hormones collectively ensure the smooth functioning of the female reproductive system and influence overall health in numerous ways. Understanding their roles can help in recognizing and addressing potential health issues effectively.

How Do Sex Hormone Levels Change Over Time?

Sex hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout a person’s life, with some of the most notable changes occurring during life stages such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

Life Stages

Puberty

  • During puberty, the body experiences a surge in hormone production.
  • For females, this increase in estrogen and progesterone triggers menstrual cycles, breast development, and other secondary sexual characteristics.
  • Males see a rise in testosterone, leading to muscle growth, voice deepening, and the development of facial and body hair.

Pregnancy

  • In pregnancy, hormone levels are particularly dynamic.
  • Estrogen and progesterone rise to support the developing fetus and prepare the body for childbirth.
  • These changes can affect a woman’s mood, skin, and overall health.

Menopause

  • Menopause marks a significant decline in female hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone.
  • This decrease can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and bone density loss.
  • Testosterone levels also decline with age, affecting both sexes by reducing muscle mass and altering energy levels.

Additional Influencing Factors

Several factors can influence sex hormone levels beyond these life stages:

  • Age: Hormones naturally decline with age, impacting various bodily functions.
  • Menstruation: Monthly cycles cause regular fluctuations in hormone levels for females.
  • Stress: Elevated stress can disrupt hormone balance, often leading to health issues.
  • Medications: Certain medications can either suppress or increase hormone production.
  • Environment: External factors such as exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can affect hormone levels.

Consequences of Imbalance

Imbalances in sex hormone levels can result in a variety of health issues:

  • Changes in Sexual Desire: Elevated or reduced levels can significantly impact libido.
  • Health Problems: Hair loss, bone density reduction, and infertility are common concerns linked to hormonal imbalances.

What Does HRT Treat?

The body’s chemistry is delicate and hormonal imbalances are often the result of several health problems. When the hormones are out of balance, you may begin to experience one or many uncomfortable symptoms. These symptoms are at best uncomfortable, but they can make life quite challenging as well.

Symptoms of hormone imbalances in women:

Hot Flashes: This is a sudden feeling of “hotness” in the body, often most intense in the face and neck. You may sweat, and your skin might get red.

Night Sweats: If you’ve ever woken up drenched in sweat, you’ve experienced a night sweat. This excess sweating can disrupt sleep leave your clothing and sheets wet.

Vaginal Discomfort: You may feel pain, burning, or soreness from sex. This is from the vagina having less lubrication and skin elasticity. The vagina becomes shorter and tighter at the opening from hormone drops.

Sexual Disfunction: If you are experiencing a persistent drop in sexual response or desire that is not normal for you, you may be experiencing sexual disfunction from a hormone imbalance.

Mood Swings: A hormone imbalance can cause anger, irritability, depression, and anxiety that affect your day to day.

Stress Incontinence: A drop in hormones can make your pelvic floor weak. This leads to urine leaks when coughing or laughing.

Bone Thinning: When hormones are out of sync, calcium loss may happen in bones. With age, there is less growth hormone, and you may experience weakened bones that easily break.

Hair Loss or Increased Hair Growth: When estrogen drops, you may experience hair loss as well. A testosterone imbalance could cause your head hair to thin and hair to appear in unwanted areas like your face.

Weight Gain: A hormone imbalance causes the thyroid not to regulate the metabolism properly. An underactive thyroid often causes weight gain.

Voice Deepening: If estrogen drops and testosterone increases out of check, the vocal cords can thicken, making a woman’s voice deepen.

Indigestion: Hormones influence how the gut functions by regulating bacteria populations. If these bacteria can grow unhindered, it may result in bloating, diarrhea, or nausea.

Clitoral enlargement: When hormones are not balanced, the clitoris may enlarge, taking on a more masculine form.

What Symptoms Are Associated with Perimenopause?

Perimenopause, the transitional phase before menopause, often brings a variety of symptoms that can impact daily life. Below are some common indicators associated with this stage:

1. Irregular Periods

Menstrual cycles may become shorter, longer, or entirely unpredictable.

2. Hot Flashes

Sudden feelings of intense heat, often accompanied by sweating, can occur at any time.

3. Sleeping Difficulties

Insomnia or frequent waking during the night can disrupt sleep patterns.

4. Mood Changes

Emotional fluctuations, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression, are typical during this phase.

5. Vaginal Dryness

Reduced estrogen levels can lead to dryness, discomfort, or pain during intercourse.

Side Effects of HRT

Cancer Risks

Hormone replacement can increase the likelihood of breast cancer in women. Combination HRT containing estrogen and progesterone can increase breast cancer risk by around 75%. This risk increases the most in the first two to three years of HRT but will return to average around two years after ending treatment.

Estrogen-only HRT can also increase the risk of breast cancer, but only if used for over ten years. This type of therapy comes with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, as well.

It is essential to talk with the doctor to make sure you are taking the correct type of hormone and in the right dose. Higher doses can increase cancer risks.

Weight Gain

Surprisingly, this isn’t a proven side effect of HRT. When women enter menopause, they experience uncharted territories like redistribution of fat deposits, new fat in the breasts, abdomen and hips, reduction of bone density, and a reduction of muscle density.

Weight gain has been unfairly attributed to the hormone therapy itself when in actuality, it’s the body going through a natural phase of life.

Improving Your Sex Life with HRT

As hormones decline, they can have a massive effect on sexual interest and drive. Biologically, after menopause, women are no longer fertile and able to produce offspring. Naturally, this can affect libido and create a loss of interest in sex.

Low estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone are associated with low libido in women.

With hormone therapy, many women experience a considerable boost in sexual interest and drive. This treatment has a ramp-up period, so it may be around six months before it is fully effective. Balanced hormones can also result in a better overall mood, and this can heighten perceived libido.

If you are experiencing pain, HRT can solve vaginal atrophy issues. The skin that lines the wall of your vagina will thicken back up and become more elastic when hormones a reintroduced. You will also experience more lubrication, which helps stop the pain associated with pulling from intercourse. Hormone therapy for these problems is often a vaginal insert that administers hormones directly to the area. This method is a better alternative for breast cancer survivors who should not take estrogen.

Schedule a HRT Appointment

If you are experiencing a low sex drive or are having discomfort during sex, HRT may be the right solution for you. Please schedule an appointment at Cool Springs Gynecology and speak with Dr. Lodge and his team in Brentwood, TN to learn about what options would fit your needs best.