Podcast Summary
Menopause as a whole-body experience: Understanding the impact of hormonal changes during menopause on brain function is crucial for holistic health.
The menopause is more than just the loss of ovarian function and the end of menstruation. Dr. Walter Rocker, a neuroscientist and immunologist, emphasizes that menopause is also about the absence or low levels of hormones in the body and their impact on the brain. Dr. Rocker's work explores the connection between the pelvis and the brain, challenging the common perception that they are separate entities. As hormones play a crucial role in brain function, understanding their impact on the menopause is essential for holistic health. Dr. Rocker's research highlights the importance of considering the menopause as a whole-body experience, rather than just a reproductive event.
Ovaries' role in endocrine control: Research since 2005 reveals ovaries' hormones impact organs beyond reproductive functions, affecting health and longevity.
The role of reproductive organs in the body extends beyond their reproductive functions. For decades, it was believed that the ovaries were only important for producing ovum and hormones for reproductive organs. However, research since 2005 has shown that the hormones produced by the ovaries, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, affect various organs and tissues at the cellular level, making the entire body under endocrine control. The removal of reproductive organs, such as ovaries, may reduce the risk of certain cancers but can also lead to earlier death. It is important to recognize that medical practices are not always based on scientific evidence and can be influenced by tradition, preferences, and peer pressure. The development of Western science was aimed at moving away from irrational beliefs and towards reproducible and trustable evidence, but the application of this principle is not always consistent in modern medicine.
Sudden ovarian hormone withdrawal leads to premature menopause and accelerated aging: Removing ovaries in young women can cause premature menopause and accelerated aging. Determining menopause in these cases is challenging due to lack of cycles and high cost of hormone testing.
The removal of ovaries in young women, even if the uterus is kept, can lead to a premature form of menopause and accelerated aging. This is due to the sudden withdrawal of hormones produced by the ovaries. Historically, it was common practice to remove both the ovaries and the uterus in such cases, but keeping the uterus while conserving the ovaries is a less common approach. A challenge with this approach is determining when these women have entered menopause, as they may not have cycles to indicate it. This can lead to a lack of proper treatment and potentially serious health consequences. The cost and invasiveness of regularly testing hormone levels make it difficult to accurately diagnose menopause in such cases.
Women with retained ovaries after hysterectomy may not realize premature menopause: Women who undergo hysterectomies before natural menopause and keep their ovaries may experience premature hormonal imbalance, leading to various health issues. Awareness and regular check-ups are crucial to diagnose and treat these conditions promptly.
Women who have undergone hysterectomies with their ovaries in place before natural menopause may not realize they are experiencing premature menopause. This can lead to undiagnosed and untreated hormonal imbalances, resulting in various health issues such as depression, high blood pressure, sleeping disorders, cholesterol problems, osteoporosis, and even kidney disease or Parkinson's disease. These women often don't exhibit typical menopause symptoms like hot flashes, making it difficult for them to recognize the connection between their hysterectomy and their health deterioration. Additionally, many women are not offered hormone replacement therapy routinely, leading to a delay in treatment. It is essential to raise awareness about the potential health risks associated with early hormonal imbalance due to hysterectomies, and encourage healthcare professionals to consider hormonal factors when diagnosing and treating related conditions.
Understanding the complex role of estrogen in women's health: Estrogen deficiency can lead to a pro-inflammatory state, increasing the risk of various diseases, but hormone replacement therapy can mitigate these risks
Estrogen plays a complex role in the lung, and its absence can lead to negative consequences for various organs, including the kidney, lung, and skin. The removal of ovaries in women, while a necessary medical intervention for some, can serve as a valuable window into understanding the effects of estrogen deficiency on aging and menopause. Basic scientific research confirms that the lack of estrogen can switch immune cells into a pro-inflammatory state, increasing the risk of various diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. Even women with an increased risk of eye-related cancers, such as those with BRCA1, BRCA2, or Lynch syndrome, can benefit from estrogen replacement therapy, as it does not worsen cancer risk but can help mitigate the risks of other diseases. Therefore, it is essential to consider the complex role of estrogen in women's health and the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy.
Many women aren't receiving HRT despite potential risks: Despite risks, many women overlook HRT for menopause relief, unaware of its benefits for alleviating symptoms and potential long-term health issues
Many women, especially those who have undergone an oophorectomy or early menopause, are not receiving HRT despite the potential health risks. These risks include cardiovascular, neurological, and functional issues related to kidney, lung, and major organs. Women may not realize they are experiencing menopause symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, muscle and joint pain, dry eyes, urinary symptoms, headaches, and tinnitus. HRT can alleviate these symptoms, but there is a lack of knowledge and understanding about the importance of hormone replacement, particularly for testosterone, which is also crucial for women, especially those with their ovaries removed. The fear of potential side effects often deters women from using HRT, but proper dosage and careful monitoring can help mitigate these concerns. Unfortunately, there is a lack of good data and products for testosterone therapy for women in the US. It is essential to have open conversations about menopause and the importance of HRT to help women make informed decisions about their health.
Testosterone therapy improves mental health in menopausal women: Testosterone therapy can alleviate mood, anxiety, muscle and joint pains, and boost libido in menopausal women, even with physiological doses. However, more research is needed to fully understand its benefits and risks.
Testosterone therapy can significantly improve mental health symptoms, such as mood and anxiety, in menopausal women, in addition to increasing libido and alleviating muscle and joint pains. These benefits have been observed even with physiological doses of testosterone, which women can control with careful monitoring. However, the lack of quality research in menopause and hormone therapy has left many women uninformed or misinformed about the potential benefits of testosterone therapy. Long-term studies have shown that hormonal imbalances during menopause can lead to serious health consequences, such as damage to the kidneys, lungs, arteries, and brain. Therefore, it is crucial to act on the available data and research to improve women's health and prevent diseases by addressing hormonal needs, especially in young women without contraindications.
Ovaries: More Than Just Reproductive Organs: Ovaries influence multiple body systems, and their removal carries significant risks. Only high-risk individuals for ovarian cancer should consider preventative removal, with estrogen replacement therapy post-removal to protect against bone, brain, and heart issues.
The ovaries are more than just reproductive organs; they are glands that influence various body systems including the heart, brain, bone, kidney, and lung. It's crucial for healthcare professionals to be cautious before suggesting ovary or uterus removal, as the risks outweigh the benefits for most women. Only those with a high genetic risk of ovarian cancer, such as those with BRCA1, BRCA2, or linked syndromes, should consider preventative removal. Even after removal, these women should receive estrogen replacement therapy to protect their brain, bone, and heart health. In essence, it's essential to appreciate the ovaries' role beyond reproduction and approach ovary removal with caution.
Unique needs of women experiencing premature menopause: Women with premature menopause need specialized care due to unusually low hormone levels. They should receive appropriate treatment until at least age 50-51 to improve their quality of life.
Women experiencing premature or early menopause, which can occur as early as in their 40s, should be treated differently than women going through menopause at the typical age. During this stage, these women have unusually low levels of circulating hormones, and they might benefit from proper treatment until at least the age of 50-51. This advice is crucial because these women were once considered to be "dead" or discarded after undergoing hysterectomies during the early Middle Ages due to their hormonal imbalances. It's essential to recognize the unique needs of women in this stage and ensure they receive appropriate care. For more information on perimenopause and menopause, visit balance-menopause.com or download the free Balance app from the App Store or Google Play.
