Your hormones throughout menopause and into post-menopause
"What happens to my hormones in post-menopause?" I get asked this question on a regular basis. We know that during the perimenopause and menopause, our hormones can fluctuate quite dramatically and this fluctuation can give rise to symptoms. It can put a stress on our body; it can affect our general health. And a lot of people think that post-menopause, your hormones just completely disappear, and you don't have any left at all.
So today, I'm going to talk about what really happens to your hormones at this particular time.
Post-menopause hormonal changes
Here are some of the key post-menopause hormonal changes to be aware of after your periods have stopped for over 2 years and beyond:
1. Oestrogen levels have majorly declined and are now at a lower baseline
We know that oestrogen levels decrease during the menopausal transition, and post-menopause they eventually get to what's called a lower base level.
So they are still there. And we know that our ovaries can still make small amounts of oestrogen, our adrenals can make small amounts of oestrogen, our fat cells can produce small amounts of oestrogen. And really importantly, we can get phytoestrogens from certain foods that we eat on a regular basis.
So, we can still have quite a nice little level of oestrogen hanging around to help us feel good.
2. Progesterone levels have dropped to a very low or nearly undetectable level
Progesterone is produced by the ovaries, and it's more to do with supporting the lining of the womb in the latter part of the cycle.
So, when our ovaries start to wind down, the production of progesterone winds down too, and it gets to a really low level post-menopause - but it will still be there.
3. Testosterone levels will continue to decline gradually
Testosterone, on the other hand, for most of us, tends to be a slow burner.
It decreases a lot more gradually. We tend not to get sudden drops in the perimenopause and menopause. Again, our ovaries and our adrenals can produce small amounts of testosterone on a regular basis.
And this just then tends to decrease over time as we age.
4. An increase of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) & Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
We have other hormones called follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. And these very often increase in relationship to oestrogen and progesterone decreasing.
This is because when our ovaries are producing less oestrogen, the body kind of goes into a panic. "We need more, we need more!" As a result, more and more of the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone are produced to try and rev up oestrogen production again. And that's one of the reasons, if you go and get a test done, if your follicle-stimulating hormone can be really high, as an indication that your oestrogen is really low. That can show that you're actually in late menopause, or are actually post menopause.
5. Cortisol can possibly increase
Cortisol, which I've talked about just recently, is very often increased. The production increases post-menopause because we face other forms of stress. If we're anxious, if we're finding life a little bit tough, then our nervous system kicks in and cortisol rises.
6. Insulin resistance increases for some women
Insulin is another hormone that can rise post-menopause, and we can become much more vulnerable to fluctuating blood sugar levels, and either pre diabetes or diabetes itself. So this is one just to bear in mind post-menopause, especially if you start to put weight on quite quickly and you really can't lose it.
How to help your hormones in post-menopause
So how do you sort this? There are lots of simple things you can do to help support your hormones post-menopause.
It's just the usual things that I talk about on a weekly basis. We need to support our body in every way we can. So that's nutritionally. It's also rest and relaxation: we don't want that cortisol to rise.
And it's about taking sensible exercise, not going too mad with that. Phytoestrogen-containing foods, which are really important, as I mentioned before.
You can look at taking a phytoestrogen supplement, which is something I'm still doing. I find it really, really helpful. Remember the water and try to get some good quality sleep.
I hope you found this helpful. Post-menopause can be quite a mysterious place to be, so if you've had any issues, if you have any more questions, please ask. If any of you have done things to make yourself feel better post-menopause, please share them. You know I love to read all your stories. Have a lovely week and I'll see you soon.
Other topics that may interest you:
Staying healthy post-menopause: My tips and simple strategies
