Perimenopause, and the symptoms can sometimes feel overwhelming. Hello Inside’s Head of Nutrition, likes to say “Perimenopause is puberty in reverse”. Your hormones change, you get mood swings, and your body looks different than the years before. 100% of women go through these changes and 80% of women experience symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, and many more.
But here's the good news: you don't have to suffer. You’ve got options. In this post, we'll explore two paths to improve your experience and potentially find relief- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Blood Sugar Management - so you can make an informed choice that's right for you.
Understanding Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
What is HRT?
Many women experience an array of symptoms as their hormones shift during the months or years leading up to menopause - that is, the natural end of menstruation. HRT involves the use of hormones to replace the ones your body isn't producing as much anymore.
HRT, also known as Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) , works by replacing two hormones that your ovaries stop making when you’re going through perimenopause and menopause: estrogen and progesterone.
When it comes to hormone therapy you have two options: estrogen only, or estrogen with an artificial progesterone (called progestogen). Hormone therapies come in various forms, like pills, patches, or creams, with the purpose of balancing your hormone levels.
Estrogen therapy:
This is often the preferred treatment for symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Also if you have had your uterus removed, estrogen therapy will be the choice.
Combined hormone therapy (estrogen and some progestogen):
If you have a uterus, your doctor may prescribe combined hormone therapy. Combined hormone therapy may lower your risk of getting uterine cancer and colon cancer.
Benefits of HRT
HRT can be a real lifesaver during menopause. It helps ease those pesky symptoms. Plus, it can be helpful to maintain bone structure and thus reduces the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Some research even suggests that it might offer cardiovascular benefits.
Risks and Controversies
Like most things in life, HRT isn't without its downsides. Studies show that It might slightly increase the risk of certain cancers, like breast cancer, and it's associated with blood clots and stroke.
One size doesn't fit all with HRT. It's super important to have an individual assessment, considering your medical history and family background. So we recommend to make sure to talk to a medical provider you trust, so they can then tailor your therapy accordingly.
Blood Sugar Management as an Alternative Approach
The Connection Between Blood Sugar and Menopause
You might not realize it, but menopause and blood sugar are tightly connected. Hormonal changes (especially estrogen fluctuations) can mess with your insulin sensitivity, making it harder to balance your blood sugar. Unfortunately, it also goes the other direction that high blood sugar levels, or vast fluctuations can worsen some symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings or trouble sleeping (1).
Benefits of Blood Sugar Management
Taking control of your blood sugar can help manage those pesky menopausal symptoms. Due to the hormonal changes, it becomes harder to maintain your weight, often leading to weight gain (especially around the middle) , or intensifying mood swings, or fatigue (2).
Strategies for Effective Blood Sugar Management
Perimenopause and it’s bodily changes can be overwhelming. So monitoring your blood sugar may feel like too much extra work in your already busy days. But fret not, keeping your blood sugar in check can be done with some simple strategies.
Here are three of our favorites that can help balance your blood sugar.
- Start your meal with some fiber, think salad, veggies or some nuts and seeds.
- Do some light movement after your meal. Go for a 10 minute walk, or tackle some chores around the house, such as laundry or washing the dishes by hand.
- Don’t forget to breath. Whenever you notice some stress crippling up, take 10 deep breaths, and scan your body… and not your phone, or computer.
Don’t forget that you're not alone on this journey. Many women have successfully managed their menopausal symptoms through blood sugar control. Studies show it can be just as effective as traditional treatments.
Comparing HRT and Blood Sugar Management
Effectiveness and Safety
HRT comes with benefits such as easing hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood swings, but also with some harms such as increasing the risk of certain health conditions such as dementia, vaginal bleeding or uterine cancer. Yet sometimes hormones may be necessary to help you regain control over your body.
Blood sugar management, if done right, is a safer, more natural approach that can help you manage various symptoms and may offer more prolonged relief. It also helps you to connect with your body and learn more about your lifestyle decisions.
Accessibility and Cost
Consider what's available and affordable for you. Sometimes insurance might cover HRT, but not always, or not to the full extent. Blood sugar management is usually more accessible and budget-friendly.
How Hello Inside Can Help With Glucose Tracking and Menopause Symptoms
Hello Inside is an amazing tool that can help you get started on managing your blood sugar levels. Whether you want to reduce hot flashes, improve your sleep, or regain control over your weight, it can be your game changer in your menopausal journey. Daily lessons, experiments, and individualized feedback will help you understand how to improve your lifestyle to feel better in your body again.
And the best part: If you still have questions, you have the chance to talk to one of our nutrition experts to get answers that suit your lifestyle. Check it out!
Conclusion
Menopause is a phase of life that deserves attention and care. It's essential to understand your options, weigh the pros and cons, and work closely with your healthcare professionals so you get the chance to live the life you deserve. You get to choose the approach that feels best for you, Here's to a brighter, symptom-managed future!
