If you’re facing menopause, you’re not alone. By 2030, there will be an estimated 1 billion menopausal women worldwide. It’s a rollercoaster that’s difficult to navigate at times—but there is a natural way to combat the hot flashes, mood swings, exhaustion, weight gain, and night sweats for Arizonian women in the menopausal transition. Functional providers look at women’s health as more than a collection of symptoms, making them uniquely qualified for menopause treatment in Sedona.
Functional medicine relies on conventional treatment options, such as hormone therapy if needed. They supplement traditional methods of treating menopause with a whole-body approach, including dietary and lifestyle changes. Together, these treatments address menopause as a condition, not just a collection of symptoms. Let’s treat menopause in Sedona a better way.
Perimenopause, Menopause, and Postmenopause
Women missing their periods for twelve consecutive months are considered menopausal. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. Perimenopause is when women tend to have the most bothersome symptoms.
Symptoms of Perimenopause
It seems as if some women transition through perimenopause without any issues at all. Others are not so fortunate and experience symptoms that uproot their lives, including:
- Weight gain
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Irritability
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Irregular periods
- Sleep disruption
- Dry skin and thinning hair
- Depression
- Bladder control issues
Perimenopause lasts seven years or more and usually starts between the ages of 45 and 55. Some women experience premature menopause due to other health conditions such as hysterectomies or some cancers.
Once an entire year without a period has passed, perimenopause becomes menopause. After menopause occurs, women are considered postmenopausal.
Health Concerns for Postmenopausal Women
After menopause, the risk of developing severe health issues increases. Some health problems are the natural result of aging, while lowered hormone levels in your body cause others.
Postmenopausal women find themselves at increased risk for:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Osteoporosis
- Stroke
- Type two diabetes
- Urinary tract infections
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Weight gain
It’s essential to continue annual wellness exams and physicals throughout all stages of menopause, but we encourage taking your healthcare even further by investing in Sedona menopause treatment.
Functional Providers Untangle the Knot of Menopause Symptoms
Functional medicine providers have a holistic approach to health, meaning they consider your entire body’s wellness rather than just focusing on symptoms or concerns that bring you in for a visit. To the functional provider, each menopausal symptom is a piece of a much larger, interrelated puzzle.
Some factors increasing your risk of a heart attack after menopause are weight gain and high blood pressure. One cause of high blood pressure is decreased estrogen, a hormone necessary for keeping blood vessels functioning properly.
Adding to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease is the weight gain caused by postmenopausal changes to your metabolism. Additionally, decreased energy levels lead to a more sedentary lifestyle.
Another example of holistic menopause treatment in Sedona is addressing the patient’s mental well-being. Hot flashes, for instance, are more than just annoying. They increase the risk of sleep disturbances and insomnia. Sleep disruptions lead to fatigue, irritability, and mental conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Nearly every health risk in postmenopause directly relates to another risk or symptom. Functional providers ensure women’s menopausal health and wellness by working with each patient to identify risks and then taking steps to decrease or eliminate them.
Treating Menopause With a Functional Medicine Approach
Functional providers use a combination of traditional medicine—such as hormone replacement therapies if appropriate—and natural remedies—including herbal medicines and supplements.
Some of these supplements include time-tested plants and herbs such as ginseng, soy, black cohosh, and red clover to reduce vaginal dryness and hot flashes. These supplements are known to reduce hot flashes, increase energy, and improve your mood. Vitamins and minerals, like calcium and Vitamin D, are given to decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Lifestyle changes include yoga, meditation, and other stress reducers to improve mental clarity and well-being. Dietary changes help combat weight gain and conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Traditional medicine takes a one-size-fits-all approach to menopause. In a functional medicine approach, however, you’re assessed for a customized treatment plan based on your needs, risk factors, and medical history. No wonder Sedona women are choosing this menopause treatment.
Finding the Right Approach for Menopause Treatment in Sedona
When looking for the right functional medicine provider for menopause treatment in Sedona, choose a functional provider specializing in women’s health. Dr. Jenna Blasi, ND, has been studying natural medicine for over twenty years and specializes in helping women at all life stages achieve a balanced and healthy life.
Contact Dr. Blasi at 928-282-4559 for a free consultation and learn how to regain your life and health through natural, holistic healing. Not ready to chat? Sign up for one of Dr. Jenna’s free, fun, and informational webinars and learn how stress, weight gain, and hormonal imbalances may be affecting your life.
