Hot flashes, unpredictable periods, restless nights, mood changes and brain fog are often described as menopause symptoms. However, many women begin experiencing these changes years before menopause officially occurs.This earlier stage is called perimenopause.Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, perimenopause and menopause describe different points in the reproductive aging process. Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, while menopause is reached after 12 ...

Feeling tired after a particularly busy day or a restless night is normal. However, when low energy becomes an everyday experience—even when you appear to be getting enough rest—it may be time to look more closely at what is happening in your body.Persistent fatigue can affect your concentration, motivation, mood, work performance and ability to enjoy your usual activities. You may wake up feeling unrefreshed, experience a noticeable afternoon slump or feel as though even simple tasks req...

Healthy aging is not about trying to remain biologically unchanged or pursuing a promise to stop the passage of time. It is about protecting the qualities that help you live well as the years progress: strength, mobility, mental clarity, metabolic health, restorative sleep, emotional well-being, sexual health and independence.Hormones play an important part in many of these areas. They act as chemical messengers, carrying instructions between tissues and helping the body regulate energy use, ...

You are eating more intentionally, staying active and doing your best to remain consistent, yet the number on the scale barely changes. Perhaps your clothes fit differently than they once did, your energy is lower and maintaining your usual weight suddenly feels much more difficult. When this happens, it is understandable to wonder whether something beyond food and exercise could be affecting your progress.For some people, the thyroid is one part of the explanation. Thyroid hormones help regu...

If you've been experiencing persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, brain fog, poor sleep, mood changes, or a reduced interest in activities you once enjoyed, you may have wondered whether your hormones are playing a role.Hormones influence nearly every system in the body, regulating everything from metabolism and energy production to mood, muscle maintenance, cognitive function, and reproductive health. As we age or experience changes in our overall health, hormone levels naturally fluct...

Many people assume that feeling tired all the time, struggling to lose weight, experiencing mood swings, or having trouble sleeping are simply part of getting older or living a busy life. While these symptoms can certainly have many different causes, they may also be your body's way of telling you that something deeper is happening.Your hormones act as chemical messengers, helping regulate countless processes throughout your body. Even relatively small hormonal changes can have a significant i...