Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop permanently and she can no longer get pregnant. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During perimenopause, levels of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate and decline. This leads to irregular menstrual cycles and menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and more. The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen from 40-55 years old.
Some common signs and symptoms of menopause include:
The severity of symptoms varies significantly among women. While some may have severe symptoms, others may experience few or none at all.
Menopause occurs due to the natural depletion of ovarian follicles in the ovaries leading to very low estrogen levels. Estrogen withdrawal affects the brain pathways and estrogen receptors throughout the body, leading to symptoms.
Factors that influence when menopause begins include:
Hormone therapy can provide immense relief for troublesome menopausal symptoms when initiated at the right time for each woman. Benefits include:
With individualized therapy, most bothersome short-term menopause symptoms can be significantly reduced for sustained wellness during this transition.
While hormone therapy is not recommended for all women, for those with moderate to severe menopause symptoms that impact their quality of life, there are excellent treatment options to provide relief.
The major aims of hormone therapy (HT) are to:
Starting hormone therapy should always be an individualized decision between a woman and her healthcare provider based on a thorough evaluation of her risks and benefits.
Main hormone therapy preparations include:
Available as oral tablets, skin patches, sprays or gels. Helps treat hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and vaginal symptoms.
For women with a uterus, progestogen is needed to prevent overgrowth of the uterine lining. Can be given cyclically or daily.
Low dose estrogen creams, tablets or rings are very effective for treating vaginal symptoms without needing systemic hormones.
The choice of formulation, dosage, timing and duration of therapy depends on the individual's symptom profile and medical history.
A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is needed before starting hormones to assess risks like:
Blood tests help evaluate hormone levels like estradiol, FSH, TSH, cholesterol panels, etc. to guide treatment choices.
Follow up tests monitor progress and screen for potential issues during treatment.
In addition to hormone therapy for symptom relief, making certain lifestyle adjustments can also be very helpful during the menopausal transition. These include:
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits empowers women to best manage menopausal changes and promote overall wellbeing.
Besides hormone therapy, some studies suggest mindfulness meditation can help relieve menopause symptoms. One study found mindfulness helped reduce the severity of hot flashes by about 30% and improved mood, sleep quality, and quality of life in menopausal women.
The compassionate and experienced health professionals at Balance Hormone Clinic provide safe, effective and individualized hormone therapy to help women achieve the highest quality of life during the menopausal transition and beyond.
Our clinical staff have advanced certifications in age management medicine, men's health and gynecology. We stay current on the latest evidence-based hormone research and therapeutic options.
We take time to listen to each woman's health history and menopause concerns. Therapy plans are tailored to meet individual needs and personal priorities to achieve the best possible treatment outcome.
We explain hormone balance changes, testing interpretations, and details of various therapy protocols so patients can make fully informed choices.
We work together with high quality local establishments like Sunny Wellness Spa, Bella Vita Salons, and Prescott Fitness to provide total body rejuvenation and relaxation during treatment.
Balance Hormone Clinic invites you to explore the possibilities of hormone therapy for a rewarding passage through the menopausal transition. Please call today to schedule a new patient evaluation with one of our caring professionals to start feeling your best.
