Hormonal Therapy and the 4 Hormonal Stages in Women

Menstruation begins in a woman’s pre-teen or teen years and with it comes the beginning of a lifetime of hormonal stages that will each come with its own physical, behavioral and emotional symptoms. Each hormonal stage is unique and brings its own challenges to a woman’s recovery. The Orchid has created a Hormonal Therapy program that addresses those challenges and provides support and guidance for women in recovery as they navigate the process of rebuilding a life without drugs and alcohol and the roadblocks that come with each hormonal shift.

Hormonal Therapy and Menstruation

Menstruation is the first hormonal stage that a woman experiences in her life, and it’s a cycle that usually happens monthly, though the exact number of days in each of the three phases of a woman’s cycle will vary. The first day of menstrual bleeding is the first day of the cycle. A few days later, the hormone estrogen is released, signaling the thickening of the lining of the uterus in preparation for fertilization. A few days after that, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is released to signal the ovaries to release an egg and ovulate. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterus sheds the thickened lining and the next cycle starts with menstrual bleeding.

Before menstrual bleeding begins, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is often an issue. Mood swings, irritability, cravings, bloating and other symptoms characterize this period. Hormonal Therapy addresses PMS symptoms as well as the hormonal fluxes that come throughout the menstruation cycle. One of the goals of the therapy is to provide women with the tools they need to take an objective inventory of their emotional responses during their cycle and take responsibility for their behavior.

Hormonal Therapy and Peri-Menopause

Peri-menopause immediately precedes menopause and begins the process of the body’s cessation of estrogen release. Some women begin peri-menopause in their 30s while others continue menstruating without interruption well into their 40s. This hormonal stage is characterized by irregular menstruation and the beginning of menopause symptoms. Mood changes, sleep problems, hot flashes, changes in sexual function and other symptoms are common during this period, and Hormonal Therapy can aid women in recognizing the appearance of peri-menopause and treating the symptoms naturally without drugs and alcohol.

Hormonal Therapy and Menopause

Menopause is best described as a period of adjustment as the body goes from producing estrogen and other hormones related to menstruation and ceasing production of those hormones. The symptoms common in peri-menopause often continue and expand to include feelings of depression at the loss of fertility, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, thinning hair and more. It is not uncommon for women in this hormonal stage to develop issues with cardiovascular disease, weight gain and osteoporosis. Hormonal Therapy assists women in learning more about the possible complications associated with this stage and offers treatment guidance to assist in preventing these issues.

Hormonal Therapy and Post-Menopause

Post-menopause is defined by the period after menstruation has stopped completely. Mental changes, physical changes and emotional changes are all common. The symptoms of menopause are past, and women are now free to celebrate the joys inherent to this freedom. Hormonal Therapy assists women with dealing with any lingering depression or new issues that may result after menopause and provides them with the opportunity to frame their experience positively and remain focused on their recovery.

Contact The Orchid today to find out more about our unique Hormonal Therapy program.

• Are You a Good Candidate for Hormonal Therapy?
• Benefits of Hormonal Therapy
• Hormonal Therapy and Menopause
• Hormonal Therapy and Menstruation
• Hormonal Therapy and Peri-Menopause
• Hormonal Therapy and PMS
• Hormonal Therapy and Post-Menopause
• Recovery and Hormonal Therapy
• Strategies for Success in Hormonal Therapy