Menopause can create many health problems for women in their late 40s, but sometimes the symptoms set in by the late 30s. The production of estrogen and progesterone declines gradually when a woman is nearing her menopause. There are some early menopause symptoms one should know about so that they can seek help if the symptoms start to affect their daily life.

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Weight gain
• Dry vagina resulting in painful sex
• Bouts of anxiety
• Mood swings

You should be prepared for this phase and know how to deal with it.

What are bioidentical hormones?
Oprah Winfrey spoke about bioidentical hormones and how it benefited her in 2009.  Bioidentical hormone therapy is sometimes called natural hormone therapy.  Bioidentical hormones are made in the form of medications and are commercially approved by the FDA. However, there are custom-made bioidentical hormones made by testing blood and saliva to find out hormone levels in an individual. Custom-made hormones are not approved by the FDA and are hence restricted to practice.

How do they help during menopause?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) helps women overcome the primary symptoms of menopause. Here is how it benefits them:

• Reduces symptoms of weakness and constant fatigue
• Helps overcome insomnia
• Helps lessen hair fall
• Keeps your skin healthy and helps fight extreme dryness
• Improves memory which deteriorates before menopause sets in
• Improves your sex-drive
• Lessens the risk of diabetes, cataract, and dental issues related to age

Bioidentical hormones can come in various forms – cream, injection, gel, lotion, and tablet. However, a hormone therapy is not the only solution for a woman approaching her menopause; a disciplined and healthy lifestyle is necessary. Some healthy practices include:

• Working out for at least 20-30 minutes every day. It can be as simple as a brisk walk, but being consistent is the key here.
• Include healthy nutrients in the form of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
• Take regular vitamin supplements.
• Reducing stress and anxiety in your life.

Taking care of yourself before menopause is necessary as it will help you remain fit, but also makes the hormone therapy a success.

Associated side effects:
BHRT might have a few side-effects as your body needs to adjust to the hormones. Some of the common side effects might include:

• Acne
• Increase in facial hair
• Bloating
• Weight gain
• Frequent mood changes
• Getting tired easily

However, once the initial days are over, the side effects might stop. Also, BHRT has often been found to increase the risk of heart diseases, breast cancer, stroke etc. Therefore you must consult your doctor before you decide to start the bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).