Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through, marking the end of the reproductive years. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, when hormone levels become erratic and start to decline. This transition brings physical and emotional changes that can significantly impact quality of life. Proper education, lifestyle adjustments, and medical treatment can help women navigate "the change" smoothly.
The hallmark of menopause is when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Other issues like hair loss, weight gain, urinary symptoms, and sexual dysfunction can also occur. The wide variety of possible symptoms underscores why an individualized treatment plan is important.
Menopause occurs due to a decline in the ovaries' production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Typically this happens naturally between the ages of 45-55. However, it can happen earlier due to:
Lifestyle factors like smoking, poor nutrition, high stress, and lack of exercise can make symptoms worse during the menopausal transition.
The hormonal changes of menopause do more than cause uncomfortable short-term symptoms. When estrogen levels drop significantly, it puts women at higher future risk for:
This makes it crucial to properly manage menopause under the care of a hormone specialist. Optimizing hormones can help minimize long-term health consequences.
There are both lifestyle measures and medical options that can relieve menopause symptoms. An integrative approach works best for most women.
While lifestyle measures help, they rarely eliminate all the troublesome symptoms without further medical intervention.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) restores deficient hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone to optimal levels. This is the most effective approach to resolve symptoms that interfere with work, relationships and quality of life. The key is working with an experienced hormone specialist to find the right regimen based on the individual's needs.
Benefits of HRT include relief from:
Along with feeling better day-to-day, balancing hormones also provides protective health benefits against osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes and neurocognitive issues.
Beyond HRT, other prescriptions like low-dose antidepressants, gabapentin or clonidine may help specific symptoms like hot flashes or mood changes for some women.
There are also over-the-counter supplements and compounded creams that claim to help with menopause. However, these are less standardized than HRT and not regulated by the FDA for safety or efficacy.
For the best symptom relief with minimal risks, customized prescription hormone replacement is recommended over "one size fits all" products. Working with a true hormone specialist is advised.
With women spending a third of life in menopause, having an experienced specialist on your healthcare team is essential. However, not all providers have advanced training to properly diagnose and treat hormone imbalance.
When searching for a menopause specialist, ask:
Ideally, the specialist will spend ample time asking questions and listening instead of quickly prescribing a standard protocol. Personalized care gets the best results.
Those with credentials like below have pursued advanced education in hormone therapy:
While these don't guarantee excellence, they indicate dedication to staying current on the latest evidence-based hormone therapy practices.
Along with the right qualifications, it's vital to seek a practitioner offering individualized care backed by real-world experience successfully helping women with menopausal issues. Ask around locally and check credible online sources for patient reviews.
A specialist actively listening and fine-tuning treatment based on feedback is key - no two women go through "the change" the same way. Custom therapy gets the best relief.
The foundation of treatment for most menopausal women is hormone replacement therapy to restore optimal balance as the body stops making normal levels on its own.
The main types of hormones used include:
Declining estrogen causes most disruptive menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, sleep issues and vaginal dryness. Estrogen replacement helps relieve these. Options include:
The route of administration depends on the individual's needs and preferences.
Progesterone works together with estrogen for a balancing effect. Unless hysterectomy has been performed, progesterone supplementation is needed alongside estrogens to prevent uterine overgrowth. Options include:
Micronized progesterone derived from plants is preferred over synthetic progestins.
Testosterone also naturally declines in women as ovarian function decreases. And also plays a key role in maintaining energy, sex drive and psychological wellbeing. Treatment options include:
Only bioidentical testosterone is used, not synthetic forms made for men.
Getting the mix right is important for the optimal balance to relieve symptoms and feel like your best self long-term.
It is understandable some women hesitate to pursue hormone therapy due to common concerns like:
However, scientific evidence shows high-quality bioidentical hormones customized by an experienced provider carry minimal risks and significant benefits for most women.
Unlike one-size-fits all synthetic hormones, bioidenticals are customized based on your lab testing and needs. This maximizes results and minimizes side effects and safety risks.
As a recognized leader in women's hormone health for over 15 years, Vital Hormone Clinic maintains a singular focus on personalized care for perimenopause, menopause and beyond.
Clinic founder Dr. Cynthia Jackson pursued specialized fellowship training in bioidentical hormones after recognizing a shortage of legitimate experts to help female patients struggling with hormonal imbalances.
Her unique background blending traditional OB-GYN care with naturopathic medicine puts patient-centered functional medicine at the forefront.
Dr. Jackson's bestselling books and educational seminars also help empower women to take control of their health during midlife changes.
We recognize every woman has unique needs during the menopausal transition and beyond. From personalized lab testing to premium compounded therapies to nutritional guidance, our holistic approach targets the root causes for optimal relief.
We take the time to listen first, then offer integrated solutions custom-fit to enhance vitality and wellbeing during this dynamic life stage.
Along with our Watervliet headquarters, we have six other clinics across Minneapolis/St. Paul metro for your convenience. Or take advantage of on-demand virtual consultations from home if you prefer.
No matter which location or care delivery mode you choose, our experienced practitioners provide cutting-edge testing and therapies to minimize menopause discomforts and help you thrive long term. Contact us today to learn more.
