Menopause brings a number of changes, but for many women in Monterey, California, fatigue is the symptom that causes the most distress.
Finding yourself without the energy or mental clarity to complete normal daily tasks with ease is frustrating and frightening. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) offers a solution and is among the services on offer from Terry L. Franklin, MD.
You didn’t get to this point in life without understanding what it feels like to be tired, even exhausted. But fatigue is a different experience, one that isn’t always easy to explain.
Some women describe fatigue as an overwhelming sense of tiredness, one they cannot ignore or deny. It can be difficult or impossible to fight through bouts of fatigue. You can experience fatigue first thing in the morning or throughout the day.
Making matters even worse, many women with fatigue cannot find relief even after a solid night’s sleep. It can begin to feel like fatigue will take over your life, limiting your activities and cutting short time with friends and loved ones.
Women commonly use terms like a sense of heaviness, sleepiness, and brain fog to describe what it feels like to live with fatigue. You might notice muscle weakness, anxiety, irritability, or just a general sense of malaise.
These symptoms can occur at any time of day, but women often report an increase in fatigue from midday through bedtime. Some begin to shape their lives around flagging energy levels, knowing that if they wait too late in the day to complete a task, it risks not getting done.
Menopause is the result of shifting hormone production, especially estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen plays critical roles in reproduction, but also in other areas of health.
For example, estrogen helps your brain convert glucose into energy, and when your levels decline, your brain simply doesn’t get the fuel it needs to thrive.
At the same time, menopause also causes issues that get in the way of a good night’s rest. If you experience night sweats or the need to get up and urinate multiple times a night, you probably aren’t getting the rest you need to propel you through the day ahead.
The mental health aspects of menopause also deserve close attention. Many women experience mood swings, depression, anxiety, and other emotional changes as they move through menopause. This makes it even more challenging to feel rested and ready for all that life throws your way.
Hormone replacement therapy works by adding supplemental synthetic hormones to the hormones your body produces naturally. Simple blood testing lets Dr. Franklin know your current hormone production levels, allowing him to customize an HRT program that aligns with your specific needs.
As your body adjusts to the supplemental hormones, you’ll notice an improvement in menopause symptoms. It takes time to see the full results, so be patient as you move through the process.
Keeping a journal or written log of how you feel both before and during HRT can help you track your progress and lets you give Dr. Franklin feedback during follow-up visits.
Hormone replacement therapy isn’t a good fit for everyone. But for many women, this simple treatment protocol is the best way to fight fatigue and restore the energy needed to enjoy daily routines.
When you’re ready to dive more deeply into HRT, contact our office in Monterey, California, for a personalized consultation.
