Written by Michael Brown - January 16, 2023
The answer is complicated. For some women, hormones may eventually return to pre-menopausal levels after menopause. For others, hormone levels may remain lower or higher than before menopause. It's important to note that there isn't a simple answer and that many factors can play a role in how the body responds.
During menopause, two of the most commonly affected hormones are estrogen and progesterone. As these hormones decrease, other hormones such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) increase in an effort to try and compensate for the low estrogen or progesterone levels.
Estrogen Levels
Estrogen is known as the “female” hormone because its presence during a woman’s reproductive years helps regulate the menstrual cycle. During the time leading up to menopause, women will begin to experience changes in their estrogen levels which are compounded by fluctuations in their FSH and LH levels. These fluctuations can last several years until menopause has been reached; at this point, estrogen production drops off significantly and it can take some time before it returns to pre-menopausal level.
Progesterone Levels
Progesterone is another hormone affected by menopause; at this stage, its production also drops off significantly with much less returning to pre-menopausal levels than with estrogen. This means that even though you have gone through menopause your progesterone level may remain low for years afterward.
Other Hormones Affected By Menopause
In addition to estrogen and progesterone, other hormones such as testosterone, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), cortisol and insulin can be impacted by menopause as well. The exact effects will depend on the individual woman's health profile but some common changes include:
While these symptoms are not life-threatening they can be uncomfortable or inconvenient for many women going through menopause. Fortunately, there are treatments options available including:
Herbal remedies – Certain herbs like black cohosh and chasteberry can help restore balance to hormone levels naturally
Dietary changes – Eating foods rich in phytoestrogens like soy products may help balance out fluctuating hormones in some cases
Exercise – Regular exercise helps boost endorphin production which can help reduce stress and alleviate hot flashes common during early stages of menopause
At Hormone Treatment Center we offer comprehensive hormonal replacement treatments tailored specifically for post-menopausal women looking for relief from uncomfortable symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances. We work closely with each patient assess their needs and develop an individualized treatment plan using bioidentical hormone therapy that utilizes plant derived natural compounds that more closely resemble our body’s own hormones than synthetic alternatives .