Menopause is the time in a woman’s reproductive life that signifies the end of her menstrual cycle. It officially begins after a woman has gone one year without a period. Typically, menopause begins between the ages of 51 and 52¹. While there may be a characteristic increase in wisdom and confidence in this age bracket, menopause can also come with uncomfortable symptoms that can interfere with everyday life.  There are various options available for menopause symptoms out on the market, but not all of them are backed by science. Fortunately, S-equol, a metabolite of a soy isoflavone, is ..read more

Menopause is a momentous time in a woman's life. However, along with it often comes uncomfortable symptoms like vaginal dryness, hot flashes, mood swings, and more.  There are various treatments to provide relief from these symptoms and one of the most popular is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But just how effective is HRT, and are there other options that get the job done better?  What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?   Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that releases hormones into the female body. As the name suggests, HRT involves replenishing the body’s supp ..read more

During perimenopause and menopause, roughly 75% of women will experience hot flashes of varying intensity. Some women experience flushing and head rushes but no sweating, while other women experience severe perspiration that necessitates changing clothes. "Night sweats" are the term for hot flashes that occur in women at night. But why are night sweats a thing in the first place, and what can be done to offset them?  What Causes Hot Flashes?  The most common cause of hot flashes is the change in hormone levels that occurs before, during, and after menopause. Hot flashes are so c ..read more

Isoflavones, which are present in soy, are believed to have estrogenic effects (meaning they mimic estrogen activity in the body).   That means that soy or soy extracts can aid in reducing hot flashes for menopausal women.  Menopause is a naturally occurring stage of a women's reproductive life where hormone levels drops. Soy isoflavones, therefore, can help bring stability and control back to your life and in check.  What are Isoflavones?  Isoflavones are a class of flavonoids or compounds that are present in plants and offer a number of health advantages.1  As p ..read more

Many women experience hot flashes during menopause.2 Sometimes they can be so frequent or intense that they interfere with daily routines and sleep.   If you’re managing hot flashes and the consequences that come with them, learning what causes your hot flashes can help you manage them and get back to focusing on the things in life that matter most.  Having a hot flash can look different from person to person, but in general, you’ll know you’re dealing with one if you experience the following symptoms:1  Heat rising from your core and spreading into your neck and face  ..read more

One of the most typical and well-known symptoms of menopause is hot flashes. While hot flashes are unpleasant and disruptive, there are fortunately methods that can help you lessen their frequency and intensity without disrupting any of your body’s natural processes.  What are Hot Flashes?  Hot flashes are a phenomena in which you will feel as though your upper body has spiked in temperature. This heat typically concentrates around your face, neck, and chest region. Those experiencing a hot flash might also begin to sweat, and their skin can appear to redden, as though they’re reacti ..read more

During menopause, many changes take place within a woman’s body. Many of these changes are due to the body adjusting to varying levels of hormones brought on by the aging process.  However, there are various healthy and natural methods that women can use to balance out their hormone levels and thus see a reduction in unpleasant symptoms like hot flashes, reduced sex drive, headaches, moodiness, and more. 5 Types of Hormone Imbalances Progesterone Imbalance Progesterone is a hormone released by the ovaries. It is one of the hormones commonly found in contraceptives such as birth control pi ..read more

Perimenopause is the period of time before menopause starts. The word “perimenopause” literally means “around menopause,” and it signifies the point in time when your hormones change, your periods begin to stop, and your body prepares to eventually go through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle which is when you are officially in menopause.  Perimenopause Hormone Basics During perimenopause, symptoms are brought on by a change in the hormone estrogen, which is mainly produced by the ovaries. This hormone is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of many traits unique to fe ..read more

Perimenopause is the time in a woman’s life when she is transitioning to menopause. The average age of menopause is 51, but for most women, perimenopause begins during the decade prior. You will know that you have reached menopause when you have had no menstrual period for at least 12 months in a row. At this time, egg production (ovulation) has ceased, and it is the natural end to your child-bearing years.  But this process doesn’t happen suddenly, and it’s different for every woman. If you are concerned that you might be in perimenopause and would like to know for sure, there are blood ..read more

  Nurse Barb Dehn is a practicing Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, award-winning author and nationally recognized health expert who provides smart, straight forward advice to women seeking answers about their health. Ms. Dehn is certified by the North American Menopause Society and is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  Nurse Barb is passionate about helping women manage menopause and providing education that makes managing menopause easier. We sat down with Nurse Barb who shared what she's seeing and hearing from her patients going through menopause ..read more