It is not a coincidence that many women experience fatigue and lack of energy as their bodies start making the transition into perimenopause or menopause. The loss of estrogen contributes to all sorts of side effects. While women may expect the hot flashes and reduction in sex drive that often accompanies this “change of life,” they are not prepared for how exhausted they may feel as hormone levels change.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) not only treats the more typical menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats but can also restore energy and vitality. A woman can feel like herself again.

Bioidentical estrogen, derived from wild yam, soy, and other natural plant substances, is identical on the molecular level to the estrogens produced by the woman’s own body.¹

BRHT and Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the primary symptoms of a hormone imbalance.² So is difficulty sleeping. The question is, which came first? The two are hard to separate. Other side effects of menopause, such as night sweats, disrupt sleep. Who can sleep when excessive sweat has soaked bedclothes and bedding?

Menopausal women often have insomnia and then spend their waking hours battling fatigue. Many women start using over-the-counter sleep aids or prescription drugs in search of a good night’s rest. Using these medications can cause problems. Many sleeping pills result in fatigue that can last several hours after waking, a so-called sleep “hangover.”

BRHT restore natural sleep. It can also alleviate symptoms such as night sweats. When you get proper rest, you feel refreshed, energized, and able to seize the day.

Loss of Focus

Menopause can also bring with it a loss of focus, exacerbated by fatigue.³ There are many terms for this condition, and among the most popular is “brain fog.” Symptoms include:

• Inability to concentrate
• Lack of mental clarity
• Memory loss

Examples of brain fog include forgetting names or places, not remembering where you left your keys, and having difficulty completing your work.

Everything you do seems to take longer, simply because you do not have the energy or cannot keep your mind on the task.

While brain fog is mainly a nuisance, it can affect your job if the lack of focus impedes your ability to perform.

Exactly how estrogen affects concentration is not clear. Researchers believe that estrogen boosts the neurotransmitters sending signals to the brain, aiding in memory and information processing.

Estrogen may also play a role in neuron production. Neurons send electrical impulses serving as messages to the brain, a critical factor in the brain’s workings and central nervous system.

Again, loss of focus and fatigue are related. Insomnia begets fatigue begets loss of focus, loss of energy and concentration. It’s a vicious cycle that BHRT can break.

Mood Swings

Mood swings affect many women during menopause, and there is a connection with fatigue.⁴

Estrogen is among the hormones regulating mood. When estrogen levels decline after menopause, moods can start fluctuating. While not every woman experiences mood swings after menopause, many will find their emotions running up and down.

If any of the following are making life difficult, hormonal imbalances are often contributory:

• Agitation
• Aggression
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Feeling stressed
• Irritability

Those dealing with insomnia, fatigue, and other side effects of menopause may not only experience mood swings. The situation can progress to the point that some women feel they are losing their minds.

If PMS was an issue during their reproductive years, the likelihood of volatile mood swings is increased. That is also true for women battling anxiety and depression before menopause. These states may return after the “change of life.”

Serotonin and Estrogen

Before menopause, estrogen assists the brain in producing serotonin. This neurotransmitter regulates mood. Once the ovaries stop producing estrogen, serotonin levels are affected.  The fluctuation of estrogen and serotonin levels can result in mood changes.⁵

How BHRT Helps

BHRT works in two ways to prevent mood swings.⁶ First, it alleviates side effects contributing to these mood changes, such as insomnia and fatigue. BRHT allows serotonin levels to return to normal, thus diminishing mood swings. Balanced hormones can produce a balanced state of mind. Because BHRT is natural and custom-tailored for each patient, there are few, if any, side effects.

BHRT does not exist in a vacuum. Thorough testing is done to determine which hormones require balancing. Lack of estrogen is not the only culprit, as thyroid hormone imbalance can cause similar symptoms.

To stay healthy and at your best, combine BHRT with a diet and exercise plan suited to your needs. Your doctor may recommend supplements to complement your therapy and help pave the way to optimal health.  BHRT is available in pill, injectable, patch, pellet, and topical forms. Discuss the best type of treatment to regain your energy and focus.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21464264/

https://www.webmd.com/women/ss/slideshow-hormone-imbalance

https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/dealing-with-the-symptoms-of-menopause

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317566

https://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/emotional-roller-coaster

https://www.healthline.com/health/bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy#benefits