Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During this time, women may experience changes related to decreasing estrogen levels, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and irregular periods.
Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. The average age for menopause is 51, but it can occur anytime between the ages of 40 and 58. Every woman's experience is unique.
While menopause is a normal part of aging, it can significantly impact one's quality of life. Proper medical care and lifestyle changes can help women manage symptoms and health risks during this transitional time.
There are three key aspects of menopause that women should understand:
Women can experience different physical and emotional symptoms as they transition through perimenopause and into menopause. Understanding common symptoms and treatment options will help women prepare for and manage this stage of life.
Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest that can cause flushing, sweating, and rapid heartbeat. They result from decreasing estrogen levels and can range from mild to severe.
Treatment options:
Declining estrogen levels often lead to vaginal atrophy - thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls. This can cause pain, burning, itching, and painful intercourse. Over-the-counter lubricants provide some relief. However, prescription vaginal estrogen therapy is the most effective treatment. It comes as a cream, tablet, or ring inserted into the vagina to supply estrogen directly to vaginal tissues.
Up to 60% of women experience some type of sleep disturbance during menopause, often due to night sweats and hot flashes. Insomnia, trouble falling asleep and frequent waking, is also common.
Treatment options:
Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression are common emotional responses to the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause and menopause. Stress, sleep problems, and hot flashes can aggravate mood issues.
Treatment options:
Some women also deal with:
In addition to bothersome symptoms occurring during the menopausal transition, women also face certain health risks after menopause, including:
Working closely with a knowledgeable menopause practitioner allows women to safeguard their health, quality of life, and independence as they transition through midlife and beyond.
Hormone Harmony Clinic is a specialized hormone clinic providing individualized care to help women navigate perimenopause and menopause. Our compassionate practitioners have extensive training and experience caring for women during this major life transition.
Our clinic specializes exclusively in hormones, menopause, aging, and longevity:
We provide personalized care rooted in our deep knowledge of the intricate hormonal changes occurring during the menopausal transition and how they relate to a woman's health and quality of life.
Every woman experiences perimenopause and menopause differently based on her unique hormones, health status, risk factors, and preferences.
We craft customized treatment plans that may include:
Our goal is to develop the optimal regimen to help each woman achieve hormone balance and feel like herself again.
In addition to hormone-related treatments, we offer holistic guidance on lifestyle, diet, and mind-body wellness to empower women to be active participants in their care during midlife and beyond. Our practitioners stay current on the latest evidence-based strategies for symptom relief, disease prevention, and healthy longevity.
We also understand the pressures facing women at this life stage - career demands, family obligations, relationship changes, aging parents. We promote open conversation about these challenges and provide referrals to mental health professionals when needed.
We know our patients value their time and convenience. We offer:
Through individualized care rooted in deep menopause expertise and a dedication to women's wellbeing, Hormone Harmony Clinic supports patients every step of the way through the menopausal transition into the vibrant second half of life. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a new patient appointment.
Many women are surprised to learn that some of the most effective natural remedies for menopause symptoms come from traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture, herbal formulas, and techniques like qigong and tai chi can help relieve hot flashes, mood swings, sleep issues, and more without the need for hormone replacement therapy.
Menopause is diagnosed after 12 months without a period. No test is needed to confirm menopause retrospectively.- Tests help diagnose perimenopause and identify any hormonal imbalances contributing to symptoms:- FSH, estradiol - Measures ovarian function- TSH for thyroid function- Testosterone, DHEA-S for androgen status- Vitamin D- Lipid panel, HbA1c for heart disease/diabetes risk- Chemistry panel for electrolytes, kidney function
The menopausal transition starts 1-4 years before the final menstrual period as hormone levels fluctuate. Perimenopause refers to the time leading up to menopause. During the 1-5 years after the final period, women may continue having symptoms until hormones stabilize. Every woman’s timeline is slightly different. Staying connected with your menopause specialist helps ensure you transition smoothly through the stages of menopause.
Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) uses hormones structurally identical to those made naturally in the body to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, vaginal dryness, bone loss, and hair thinning. BHT is commonly prescribed for women who cannot tolerate conventional hormone therapy or need customized doses. Types of bioidentical hormones include:- Estriol, estradiol, estrone - Estrogen- Progesterone - Progestin- Testosterone- DHEABHT hormones have the same physiological effects as endogenous hormones. Available forms of BHT include pills, skin patches/gels, vaginal creams, suppositories, hormone pellet implants, and compounded preparations. Hormone Harmony Clinic practitioners specialize in precision balancing of bioidentical hormones tailored to your unique needs.
