Menopause Profile 

• Over the age of 60, 30% of women will have osteoporosis while half the population over 70 years are affected. 

• British women over 45 years suffer approximately 200,000
  fractures annually

• Breast Cancer will strike more than 200,000 women this 
  year and claim more than 40,000 lives in 2002 

Menopause is a point at which a woman stops ovulating and menstruation ceases, indicating the end of fertility. Although menopause is not a disease, but a natural progression in life, many women experience significant discomfort both during and after the menopause as the changing hormones start to establish a new balance.

The symptoms experienced in the menopause are essentially due to an imbalanced secretion of hormones, which is often further aggravated by negative lifestyle and nutritional habits. Many years before a woman stops ovulating, her ovaries slow their production of oestrogen and progesterone. While oestrogen is essential for reproduction it also acts on many non-reproductive organs in the body. Cells in the vagina, bladder, breasts, brain, skin, bones and heart all contain oestrogen receptors and require this hormone for normal cell function.  Although oestrogen levels drop sharply after menopause, the hormone does not disappear entirely. The adrenal glands and adipose tissue take over the production of a less potent form of oestrogen. 

Progesterone is the other major sex hormone and works as a counterpart to oestrogen. It also has effects beyond the reproductive system, such as a calming effect on the brain and affects other aspects of nervous system function.

These hormonal changes that occur in the menopause also increase the risk for other health concerns, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, breast and vaginal cancer. Osteoporosis in particular is a major problem. The Menopause Profile consists of three tests; the 1-Day Progesterone/Oestrogen test, the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment and the Estronex tests.

The 1-Day Progesterone/Oestrogen test:

The measurement of Oestradiol and Progesterone from a single saliva sample, can give valuable information about the balance of these hormones in both pre and post-menopausal women.

Symptoms associated with progesterone/oestrogen imbalances

• Cancer
• Osteoporosis
• Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, polymenorrhea, hypermenorrhea, secondary amenorrhea (loss of periods after having regular periods), annovulatory cycles, persistent bleeding between periods
• Breast atrophy / Fibrocystic breast disease
• Loss of sexual desire, vaginal dryness, night sweats and hot flashes
• Bladder infections
• Memory problems
• Depression
• Endometriosis
• Weight gain, fluid retention, cellulite
• Ovarian cysts
• Loss of frontal and crown head hair
• Headaches

The Osteoporosis Risk Assessment:

Osteoporosis is called the ‘silent disease’ because you cannot see or feel your bones losing density. This condition characterised by a degenerative thinning of bones, which leads to chest pains and fractures. Although bone degeneration starts out slowly, usually around the age of 35, it can accelerate rapidly in women after the menopause.

Sufferers frequently describe a dull uncomfortable, achy feeling, which is not necessarily localised to any one area, or chronic back pain with muscle spasms along one or both sides of the spine. These pains worsen with sitting and standing, and are relieved by lying down.

Risk factors associated with osteoporosis

• Race: Caucasians of northern European decent with fair, thin skin are classic examples of high-risk women. There is also a high incidence among Asian women

• Menopause: The earlier menopause occurs, the more likely a woman is to develop the disease

• Smoking: Women who smoke reach menopause an average of five years earlier than non smokers, and bone loss after menopause occurs 50% faster amongst smokers

• Under-weight: Thin women are more prone to the disease. Anorexic women, regardless of age, frequently suffer from severe bone loss, and a prolonged low calorie diet will have the same effect

• Excessive alcohol intake has been shown to increase bone loss

• Family history of osteoporosis

• Chronic stress

• Lack of exercise

• Hormone imbalances

The Oestrogen Metabolism Assessment:

Oestrogen can be metabolised or 'broken down' into various different products; some of which are protective while others are known to promote cancer. One form, 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), tends to inhibit cancer growth, while the other, 16-a-hydroxyestrone (16-a-OHE1), actually encourages tumour development. The balance of these anti- and pro-carcinogenic metabolites are investigated with this test. The ratio of these metabolites has been shown to be a significant risk factor for oestrogen-sensitive diseases, including breast and cervical cancer. 

A woman’s ‘biochemical individuality’ determines how much of each form is produced. Studies have shown that measuring the ratio of these two forms of oestrogen provides an important indication of a modifiable risk for future development of oestrogen-sensitive cancers.

Risk factors associated with oestrogen-sensitive cancers:

• Prolonged use of the oral contraceptive
• Synthetic hormone replacement therapy
• Family history of breast caner
• Obesity or sedentary lifestyle
• Consumption of 2 or more alcoholic beverages a day

 Pricing

Description		(RRP) Price
Menopause Profile		£120.00
Oestrogen Metabolism Assessment		£120.00
1 Day Progesterone  / Oestrogen		£65.00
Osteoporosis Risk Assessment		£70.00
Testosterone		£65.00

To order test go to Having a Test