There is a condition called irritable bowel syndrome that is really kind of a basket term for a lot of irregular bowel habits and bloating that women experience during menopause. And again, hormonal influences seem to affect irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, women who are still menstruating, irritable bowel syndrome can flair up as a premenstrual symptom. Often we think this might be a little bit more related to progesterone, because progesterone is a sedative to smooth muscles. It helps the muscles relax. With irritable bowel the colon is hypertonic, spasmodic, irritated and not having its normal, rhythmic motions.
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Jan
Menopause
And now, my husbands viewpoint on the mysteries of menopause…(brace yourself).
One beautiful Saturday morning about 10 years ago I am reading the paper and sipping on a Starbucks soaking in the stillness and solitude of our home, when I hear her footsteps descending the stairs. Jan rounds the corner and I notice that she looks like she just plowed 40 acres of land last night with a broken down mule. Being the observant male that I am with all the sensitivity that I could muster, I said, ” What’s wrong honey, you look horrible.” She looked at me with a hollowed out expression and said ” I don’t feel like me anymore. I don’t understand what is happening to my mind and body with this menopause stuff.” I woke up feeling depressed and dreading the day.”
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Jan
Menopause
Memory loss and confusion can be very difficult to determine between the early phase of a progressive condition versus normal age related changes in our memory, in our focus, and in our concentration. There are also other health problems that affect memory and concentration other than menopause, like low thyroid function, depression, anxiety, medications, and chronic pain. But as it relates to menopause, again we have changes in our hormone levels in our brain affecting how things are firing, and blood flow to our brain. So brain chemistry and blood flow affects memory, concentration and focus. And this is an area, as time goes on, that can be more difficult to understand. Is this a more serious, progressive problem ultimately leading to dementia? Or, is it just a hormonal change that can be connected with something hormonal? Or, is it normal age? Or is it, as I said, one of the other treatable causes?
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Jan
Menopause
