Menopause and Hypothyroidism
By Cathy Taylor
In the United States, more than
20% of the women in menopause are diagnosed with hypothyroidism – a sluggish
thyroid. Women need to understand the consequences of menopause on the thyroid,
as with the increase in age, more women are affected by hypothyroidism.
Menopause and hypothyroidism have common symptoms, such as
depressed mood, decreased energy and decreased
memory, among others. Often these symptoms are taken to be due to menopause,
leading to delayed diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
Hormones in women's bodies are
balanced delicately and hormonal imbalance occurs during pregnancy,
perimenopause, and menopause. In the time leading up to menopause, the clockwork
menstrual cycles may begin to become erratic. This could be because of highs and
lows in estrogen and progesterone.
Hypothyroidism, which is seven
times more often associated with women than with men, also occurs because of
hormonal imbalance. Certain doctors feel that estrogen dominance - excess of
estrogen combined with low progesterone – typically occurs in early
perimenopause. They feel restricting estrogen dominance prevents complications
in perimenopause, including hypothyroidism. In fact, estrogen is required to be
counterbalanced with progesterone to avoid hypothyroidism.
Treatment Options of
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism – the
under-active thyroid is primarily due to the underproduction of the thyroid's
main hormone – Thyroxine (T4). This hormone has to be converted to the active
thyroid – the Triiodothyronine (T3), by the liver. Then only it can be
effectively utilized by the body. Different practitioners have their own ways of
tackling hypothyroidism.
Most prescribe Synthroid,
Levoxyl or Levothyroxine – the synthetic T4 – for hypothyroidism. This is fine,
if women are capable of converting this T4 into T3. For others, who are poor
converters, Cytomel – a synthetic T3 – is prescribed to covert their low T3.
Many women do not believe in
synthetic hormones for treating their hypothyroidism, and relieve their symptoms
with nutrition, exercise, stress-relieving techniques and such natural
treatments. Rich nutrition is the basis of hormonal balance. Rich nutrition
should consists of:
Multivitamins and/or minerals
Essential fatty acids
Calcium
and/or magnesium
Such essential
nutrients, when supplementing a healthy eating plan, support the body's
endocrine, immune and other vital systems.
Some doctors
recommend using a progesterone cream for treatment of hypothyroidism.
Progesterone, which is essential for building many of your body's most important
hormones, is also vital in offsetting estrogen dominance, which is one of the
most common conditions in perimenopause and hypothyroidism. Application of
progesterone cream gives an immediate relief to the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Women in
menopause or perimenopause are required to massage about half a teaspoon of
progesterone cream into their hands and body. It is advisable to use twice daily
for 21 days, to discontinue for 7 days, and repeat the procedure. The cream is
required to be massaged on the thighs, stomach, inner arms, and the buttocks. It
is recommended that you increase your water intake to avoid dehydration.
Many doctors
recommend against prolonged use of progesterone cream after menopause.
Short-term use is recommended after menopause, especially when weaning off
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). About the Author
Cathy writes frequently on mid-life issues for women and men particularly
menopause and andropause. A copy of her book can be found at
http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com
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