Understanding Menopause
LaBalance has helped so many women who are
struggling with their periods and menopause.
Many have written about their personal
experiences in the numerous testimonies we
have received. Please feel free to browse some
of the testimonies below.
Menopause
Menopause is one of the most significant natural stages
in a woman’s life. It’s when your periods stop due to
lower hormone levels and usually happens between
the ages of 45 and 55. Fluctuating hormonal levels
can lead to emotional, mental, and physical changes
in a woman’s body.
Although it can be a challenging time, it’s also an
opportunity to put your needs first. This is a time
when many women choose to make changes in
their lifestyle to help maintain their physical and
emotional equilibrium and support their body in
adapting to the changing rhythms of this natural
mid-life transition.
Our users tell us LaBalance has been helping women who have undergone a hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy &
Surgical Menopause
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy before menopause will usually result in
a woman becoming menopausal at an earlier age than
she would have done without the surgery.
The Surgery
Broadly speaking the surgery will be either a
hysterectomy or an oophorectomy (a hysterectomy
including the removal of the ovaries). In all cases your
periods will stop and you will no longer be able to
become pregnant.
In the case of an oophorectomy, where the ovaries are
removed, you will immediately become menopausal,
post-surgery. If the ovaries have not been removed as
part of the hysterectomy, you will become menopausal
any time up to 5 years following the surgery.
This early menopause will give you the same symptoms
as any normally occurring menopause.
What causes Menopause Symptons?
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
There are two divisions of the ANS, the Sympathetic Nervous system (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS).
Menopause symptoms are the result of a natural reduction of hormones, primarily progesterone and oestrogens. These
reductions are believed to be the cause an imbalance to the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which is responsible for
controlling bodily functions, including stress reactions such as sweating, body temperature, circulation, heart rate, bowel
and bladder function, and more.
Symptoms such as sweating and anxiety, which are commonly associated with menopause, are under the control of the
Sympathetic division, which is our body’s fight-flight stress reactor system. For example, when we perceive a threat, this
is the system that causes our heart to beat faster for more blood flow for faster reactions.
Parasympathetic division (PNS)
n contrast, the Parasympathetic division (PNS) is responsible for REST and DIGESTION. This is the body’s repair and
regulatory system, and it tends to have the opposite effect to the SNS. For example, the SNS speeds the heart rate
while the PNS slows it down. The two systems work together to regulate all our organ systems.
34 Menopause Symptoms
● Allergies *
● Anxiety
● Bloating
● Body odour *
● Brain fog and memory lapses
● Brittle nails*
● Burning mouth *
● Depression
● Difficulty concentrating
● Digestive changes
● Disrupted sleep / sleepless nights
● Dizzy spells *
● Electric shocks *
● Fall in libido
● Fatigue
● Hair loss
● Headaches/Migraines
● Hot flushes
● Irregular heartbeat
● Irregular periods
● Irritability
● Itchy skin *
● Joint pain
● Mood swings
● Muscle tension
● Night sweats
● Osteoporosis *
● Panic disorder
● Stress incontinence
● Taste disturbance *
● Tingling extremities *
● Uncomfortable, sore breasts *
● Vaginal dryness
● Weight gain