Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transition time can start 8-10 years before menopause officially begins.
During perimenopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate and decline. This leads to irregular periods and various symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. When a woman has gone 12 months without a period, she has reached menopause.
The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen anywhere from 40-55 years old. The time after menopause is called postmenopause. During this stage, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing most hormones.
Menopause brings physical and emotional changes that can impact quality of life. Proper treatment and management of symptoms is important. Wellness Hormone Clinic provides comprehensive menopause treatment to help women transition comfortably.
The declining hormone levels of menopause cause various signs and symptoms. Being aware of these can help determine if treatment may be beneficial:
While some symptoms are just annoying, others like bone loss can be very serious if left untreated. Our experienced menopause doctors help diagnose issues and create customized treatment plans.
Hormone therapy (HT) replenishes estrogen and progesterone to reverse or reduce menopause symptoms. When carefully managed, HT is highly effective and safe for most women.
The hormones can be taken as oral tablets, skin patches, vaginal creams or inserts, shots, implants, gels, or rings. The route of administration depends on which symptoms need addressing. We will help determine the optimal delivery method.
HT works to:
In the past, there was concern that HT increased heart disease or breast cancer risk. But studies have now shown that starting treatment within 10 years of menopause onset does not elevate risk. The benefits typically outweigh potential harms in healthy women under 60.
Managing symptoms through professional care from a menopause specialist allows women to feel their best during this change. Additional benefits include:
Our compassionate menopause doctors listen carefully to understand all issues our patients face. We take time explaining options so women feel empowered about treatment decisions.
Many women going through menopause find relief from symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques like paced breathing and mindfulness meditation. These non-pharmacological therapies can be as effective as hormone therapy in some cases, without side effects.
The first step is confirming menopause through medical history, physical exam, and blood tests. Common lab tests check:
Testing also determines current risk for health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. This helps guide HT recommendations and treatment goals.
Evaluating symptoms, medical history, test results, family history, etc. allows creating a customized therapy plan. Follow up tests will monitor progress and adjust medication as needed. We partner with excellent phlebotomy labs in Greenlawn for patient convenience.
There are various effective HT preparations to relieve menopause symptoms:
Pills, patches, gels provide systemic relief. But hormone fluctuations can provoke side effects like fluid retention, breast tenderness, mood swings, similar to PMS.
These minimize absorption into bloodstream, mainly treating vaginal issues. But can also reduce hot flashes, urgency, and recurrent UTIs.
Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as natural hormones made in body. Derived from plant sources, options include:
Research confirms bioidentical hormones provide equivalent symptom relief as conventional therapy. But may fit better with a woman's physiology.
We offer both bioidentical and high quality traditional hormone therapy. The doctors help patients decide what best suits individual needs.
Healthy lifestyle choices complement hormone treatment:
Nutritious diet - Eat heart healthy fats, antioxidant rich fruits/veggies, high fiber carbs, lean protein. Limit sugar, refined grains. Keep properly hydrated. Adequate vitamin D and calcium prevents bone loss.
Regular exercise - Mix aerobic activity, strength training, stretching, balance exercises. Helps mood, sleep, weight. We provide fitness guidance.
Stress management - Relaxation techniques, sufficient sleep, fulfillment. Impacts hormone balance.
Routine care - Regular preventive, dental, vision, hearing checks.
Wellness Hormone Clinic partners with excellent Greenlawn providers from various specialties. We help connect patients to superior local care.
Wellness Hormone Clinic specializes in optimizing women's health during midlife changes. Benefits of our clinic:
Dr. Smith co-founded Wellness Hormone Clinic to elevate standards for midlife women's health in the Greenlawn community. We aim to optimally balance hormones for vitality in life's second act.
Contact us today to have a confidential conversion about what you are experiencing or schedule a new patient appointment. Our goal is helping every woman embrace menopause transition with knowledge, choices, and vibrant health.
