Most women experience menopause symptoms that can last for several years after their last menstrual period. One of the most common menopause symptoms is weight gain, and it’s no wonder why. After years of hard work keeping her thin, high-dose estrogen therapy (HRT) patient might suffer from sluggish metabolism and a higher probability of diabetes and heart disease. Fortunately, there’s an alternative to HRT – aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy.
What Is Arimidex?
Arimidex is the trade name for an AI that was first approved by the FDA in 1997 and is manufactured by Pfizer. It’s a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme aromatase which naturally converts androgen into estrogen. Naturally produced estrogen plays a critical role in women’s wellbeing. For instance, it helps bones to stay strong, reduces the risk of heart disease, and even encourages muscle growth. Unfortunately, in high doses, it can lead to adverse effects such as gynecomastia, acne, and excess hair growth. Because of these side effects, it’s no wonder that doctors don’t typically prescribe it for long-term use.
However, for menopausal women suffering from weight gain and metabolic syndrome, high-dose aromatase inhibitors might be the better option. In addition to reducing the risk of breast and endometrial cancer, they also help to to control weight gain by inhibiting the bodys natural hormone production. This helps to keep women lean and slim which is the exact opposite of what happens when they go through menopause. As a result, arimidex can help to treat a variety of ailments including depression, hot flashes, and night sweats. It’s also been proven to improve sleep quality and to increase energy levels – both of which are beneficial for menopausal women.
How Does It Work?
When you ingest arimidex, it prevents the metabolism of testosterone to estrogen within the body. Because it holds this unique position as a reversible inhibitor, it allows estrogen production to return to its previous state when the drug is stopped. However, it doesn’t work perfectly in all cases and there’s a chance that you might experience some adverse effects. One of the most common side effects of arimidex is weight gain. Depending on the type of woman you are, this might not be a desirable effect. If you’re carrying too much weight, it can be difficult to shed it – especially if you’ve tried numerous diets and exercise routines in the past.
What Are The Benefits?
Although the main purpose of arimidex is to treat menopausal symptoms, it also has a variety of other uses. One of the most significant benefits is that it controls weight gain within the body. When menopause patients begin to put on weight, it can cause a variety of problems. These include Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver disorders. According to medical research, arimidex helps to reduce the risk of these diseases in postmenopausal women by inhibiting the production of estrogen – the substance that promotes weight gain. As a result of its effectiveness in reducing weight gain, it’s been approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Furthermore, several studies have shown that it can help to improve sleep quality and reduce the frequency of night sweats in menopausal women. When menopause patients have trouble sleeping through the night, it usually results in either daytime sleepiness or anxiety. Inhibiting the production of estrogen with arimidex helps to maintain healthy sleep patterns and quality of life during menopause.
In addition to controlling weight gain, this drug is also known to relieve depression and anxiety within the body. Many menopausal women experience depressive symptoms during and after their menopause. In one study, menopausal women taking arimidex showed significant improvements in depression scores compared to those taking placebo. Similarly, in a separate study, anxiety scores decreased by 50% in menopausal women taking arimidex compared to those taking placebo. While these results are encouraging, it’s still important to recognize that this is merely a correlation and not a direct proof that the drug caused the changes observed.
Arimidex might also help to maintain an healthy shine to your hair and skin. The hormone estrogen is important for skin health because it encourages the growth of new cells and inhibits cell reproduction – both of which keep the skin looking young and healthy. Estrogen also encourages the growth of hair follicles which results in thick, luscious hair. When menopause patients begin to lose their hair, it is usually a significant blow to their self-esteem. If you’re still feeling youthful and beautiful, you might not fully understand the magnitude of the change that’s happening to you. One of the primary reasons why so many menopausal women experience hot flashes is because of the decrease in estrogen production. This is why it’s important to keep your estrogen levels high by taking supplemental hormones or using HRT. However, if you’re unable to take supplemental hormones or if HRT is not an option for you, then it’s time to consider another solution. One of the safest and most effective solutions is arimidex.
The Bottom Line
In the right patient population – specifically, those with metabolic syndrome or obesity – weight loss might be a worthwhile side effect of stopping arimidex. For other menopausal patients who have a normal weight or who want to maintain their current weight, it’s probably not the right choice. However, if you’re experiencing depressive symptoms or anxiety, it might be a good option. In any case, it’s important to remember that the primary purpose of this medication is to control menopausal symptoms – specifically, obesity, depression, and anxiety. If these are your top three concerns, then it might be a good choice for you.