Menopause: Understanding Its Evolution, Symptoms, and Treatments

Menopause empowers women by providing evolutionary benefits through the wisdom and support of grandmothers, despite associated challenges and symptoms.

### Understanding Menopause: Evolution, Symptoms, and Treatments
* 🦋 Most animals die after reproduction, but humans and a few species like orcas live on, raising questions about the **evolutionary benefits of menopause**.
* 👵 The "**grandmother hypothesis**" suggests that having older, non-reproducing females in a family unit provides valuable support in **food gathering and knowledge sharing**, enhancing survival for **future generations**.
* ⏳ The menopause transition lasts between **four to seven years**, characterized by hormonal changes leading to **irregular menstruation and eventual cessation of periods**, typically occurring between ages **45 and 55**.
* 💊 Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the **gold standard treatment** for vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, but it is not universally recommended for **all menopause-related issues**.
* ⚖ While MHT can help with specific symptoms, it is crucial to **assess individual needs and safety**, as not all symptoms respond to hormone therapy, and **alternative treatments may be necessary**.
* 📉 Compounded hormones lack the rigorous testing of pharmaceutical products, leading to **potential safety issues**, and the term "**bioidentical**" is often **misleading** in the context of hormone therapy.
* 📚 To navigate the plethora of information online, it is important to **fact-check using reputable sources** and to be cautious of advice from individuals with **financial interests in supplements or alternative therapies**.
* 🧠 Ultimately, maintaining a strong health foundation through exercise and informed medical choices can **significantly impact the menopause experience**.

The science of menopause in 13 minutes | Dr. Jen Gunter

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Most animals die after reproduction, making humans and a few other species, like orcas, uncommon for their post-reproductive longevity.

Menopause is thought to be beneficial through the "grandmother hypothesis," providing extra support and knowledge to the family unit.

The menopause transition lasts 4 to 7 years, leading to the final period, which typically occurs between ages 45 and 55, and is associated with various symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes.

Understanding Menopause and Its Treatment

The hormonal transition leading up to menopause lasts an average of four to seven years, with symptoms varying for each individual.

Exercise, both aerobic and strength-building, is emphasized as the most important foundation for managing menopause symptoms.

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the gold standard treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, but its use should be individualized, as it may not be necessary for everyone.

Menopausal hormone therapy is not universally recommended for preventing conditions like weight gain, dementia, or cardiovascular disease.

It may help with irregular menstrual cycles and heavy bleeding, but its effectiveness for brain fog and other symptoms is limited.

Pharmaceutical preparations are crucial for reliable hormone absorption, while compounded products can pose safety and dosing issues.

The Risks of Hormone Pellets and Bioidenticals

Hormone pellets deliver high doses of estrogen or testosterone, are not batch tested, and are associated with unreported adverse events.

The term "bioidentical" has no medical meaning and does not guarantee safety, as most pharmaceutical hormones can be considered bioidentical.

Testosterone is not recommended for menopausal hormone therapy, and it's important to be cautious of online medical content and fact-check information to avoid misinformation.

To fact-check health information, use Google search with keywords and add reputable organizations like ACOG, CDC, or WHO.

Evaluate the expertise of the person providing the information, considering their credentials and potential conflicts of interest, such as selling supplements.

Be cautious of health advice from celebrities, as their information may not be evidence-based.