The transition into menopause, often called perimenopause, starts for most women in their late 40s to early 50s. As the ovaries decrease production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, periods become irregular and eventually stop. These hormone changes can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.
Later in menopause, declining estrogen is associated with increased risks for several health issues like osteoporosis and heart disease. Getting good medical care and being proactive about healthy lifestyle choices can help women stay vibrant and thrive during the menopausal transition and beyond.
Many women experience hot flashes and/or drenching night sweats during perimenopause and menopause. These sudden feelings of intense body heat, flushing, and sweating can range from mild to severe and last from a few seconds to several minutes. Hot flashes often disrupt sleep. Managing them is important for quality of life and overall health.
Declining estrogen causes tissues to become drier. Many menopausal women develop vaginal atrophy - thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls leading to irritation, painful intercourse, increased infections, and bladder issues. Treating this progressive condition helps preserve vaginal health and sexual function.
Estrogen plays a key role in bone remodeling - the constant process of forming new bone and removing old bone. In menopause, bone breakdown overtakes bone formation leading to osteoporosis. Screening for and preventing excessive bone loss helps lower fracture risks and maintain strength, flexibility, posture and balance.
Heart disease risk increases after menopause, likely due to changes in blood vessels, cholesterol levels, body fat deposits, and other factors influenced by estrogen decline. Adopting heart-healthy lifestyle habits lowers cardiovascular risks during the menopausal transition.
At The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic, we offer comprehensive menopause care with compassion and expertise. Our board-certified healthcare providers specialize in helping women navigate hormonal changes smoothly and develop personalized care plans addressing their unique needs and health goals.
We provide thorough lab testing to accurately assess hormone levels and health status. Precise balancing of hormones alleviates troublesome symptoms for most women. We offer bioidentical estrogen and progesterone tailored to each woman's changing physiology and sensitivities.
Osteoporosis management is another essential aspect of care. We provide bone density scanning, risk assessments, nutritional guidance and exercise plans, fall prevention strategies and medication options where indicated - all to help maintain strong healthy bones.
Our practitioners also focus on heart disease prevention with regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks, lifestyle counseling, smoking cessation support and medications as needed. We help women make the small incremental choices adding up to big differences in heart health.
Healthy aging guidance on diet, physical activity, stress reduction and brain health helps women stay energized and thriving across all life stages. We partner with clients to set reasonable, sustainable goals tapping into internal motivation for lasting change.
Education and empowerment define our approach. We want every woman fully informed on what's happening in her body, why she feels how she does, and possibilities for feeling better. Knowledge combined with compassionate guidance leads to confidence and greater wellbeing.
In addition to office visits, we provide virtual telehealth appointments for easier access to our experienced team. Contact us today to learn more or make an appointment to start your menopause journey on a positive, healthy footing.
Since hormone levels fluctuate, accurately diagnosing menopausal status requires more than a single lab test. We evaluate menstrual cycle history along with multiple hormone measurements over time. Key hormones signaling ovarian function that we assess include:
FSH stimulates the ovaries each month to mature an egg. Levels climb when ovarian reserve declines. FSH over 30-40 mIU/mL often indicates the onset of menopause.
AMH is secreted by small growing follicles housing eggs. AMH decreases steadily over time until menopause when egg supply is depleted. Checking AMH gives an estimate of remaining fertility and time until menopause.
The main estrogen produced by mature follicles, estradiol peaks mid-cycle preparing uterine lining for implantation. Dropping estradiol levels signal the ovaries are producing fewer eggs.
The corpus luteum structure left after egg release produces progesterone, which peaks after ovulation to maintain a pregnancy. Irregular or absent ovulation causes low progesterone production.
Falling estradiol and progesterone and rising FSH confirm declining ovarian function and menopausal transition. We obtain multiple samplings to clarify hormone patterns and menopausal status before designing appropriate treatment plans.
We recommend considering treatment when periods become irregular with cycle lengthening over 35 days or when bothersome hot flashes, night sweats and changing sleep patterns begin interfering with work, relationships and quality of life. Early intervention helps prevent progressive urogenital atrophy and bone loss and may lower later cardiovascular risks. We thoughtfully weigh benefits and risks of therapy for each individual woman.
Telehealth now makes specialized menopause care more accessible. Contact us to learn more or schedule a consultation.
After thorough assessments, we develop personalized plans balancing bioidentical hormones - made from plant compounds identically matching human hormones. Many options exists for restoring optimal levels.
Bioidentical estrogens are the cornerstone of treatment and most effective for hot flash relief. We precisely titrate the lowest effective dose and formulation minimizing risks. Options include oral, transdermal patches/gels or vaginal preparations.
Progestogen protection is essential for women with a uterus to prevent overgrowth of uterine lining. We utilize bioidentical progesterone matching the body's molecular structure. It effectively protects uterine tissue with minimal side effects.
Testosterone and DHEA improve mood, energy, libido and sexual responsiveness but must be used judiciously. We ensure hormone ratios remain balanced.
We tailor each woman's therapy with specialized compounded hormones blended in unique ratios, doses and routes optimizing safety and symptom relief.
Hormone needs evolve over the menopause transition. We reevaluate patients every 4-6 months, adjusting formulations accordingly. Meticulous fine-tuning keeps treatment effective through perimenopause into senior years.
While tremendous advances exist in menopause care, no "one size fits all" approach applies. Through specialized expertise and precision balancing of hormones customized for each woman's changing physiology, we can effectively minimize symptoms for optimal wellbeing.
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic serves as your partner for healthy, positive aging. Contact us to begin your journey.
Studies show that practicing yoga can help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with menopause. Specific yoga poses that twist, stretch and strengthen the body may help improve sleep, mood, hot flashes and joint pain without the need for medication. This simple self-care strategy empowers women to take control during this transitional life stage.
Along with hormone therapy, simple lifestyle measures significantly impact wellness during menopause:
Choosing whole foods over processed items optimizes nutrition needed for hormone activity and eases bodily inflammation exacerbating symptoms. We provide dietary guidance individualized for each woman. Key elements include abundance of plants (fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds), high fiber carbs (whole grains, starchy vegetables), plant oils, and fatty fish. Dairy intake should be moderate. We advise limiting red meats and avoiding added sugars and fried foods. Portion control and routine meal timing help stabilize energy and mood. Staying well hydrated is essential too.
Most women benefit from at least 30 minutes daily activity - ideally a mix of aerobic exercise, strength training using weights/resistance bands, stretches for flexibility, posture work, and balance challenges. We tailor regimens to current fitness levels and health conditions (considering needs for gentler activities like walking, swimming or yoga versus more vigorous elliptical, weights or high intensity interval training). Moving more combats fatigue, boosts cope-ability with stress and symptoms, elevates mood naturally, promotes restful sleep and contributes to hormone balance and healthier aging. We emphasize realistic, sustainable goals focused on how exercise makes you feel rather than pounds lost.
Learning effective coping strategies for life's inevitable stressors and emotional ups and downs makes a substantial difference in menopausal experiences. We discuss cognitive behavioral approaches to build resilience and foster positive mindset. Relaxation techniques like mindfulness meditation and deep breathing can help diffuse anxiety and irritability exacerbating other symptoms. We also screen regularly for depression which may necessitate specific treatment. Confiding in trusted friends and practicing self-care bolster inner equilibrium too.
Estrogen fluctuations and hot flashes often impair sleep quality during menopause. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene bolsters coping capacities for next-day challenges. Key tips include: maintaining consistent bed/rise schedules, limiting caffeine (especially late afternoon), creating tranquil pre-bedtime rituals, reserving bedrooms just for sleeping/sex (no TV/smartphones), using blackout curtains/eye shades/ear plugs as needed, and keeping bedrooms very cool. For stubborn insomnia, we review medications or provide referral for cognitive behavioral therapy.
We partner with clients taking small, reasonable steps leading to sustainable healthy lifestyle transformations. Improving nutrition, activity, stress resilience and sleep has compounded positive effects - easing troublesome symptoms as well as supporting overall wellbeing into older age.
Flanders offers abundant natural beauty and sites promoting relaxation so key during menopause. We encourage women to spend time outdoors and recommend these local establishments conducive to healing and hormone balance:
This serene 30 acre park contains over 400 rose varieties, themed gardens, meandering paths through woods/meadows and benches for resting amidst lovely scenery of the Leie River. Stress levels plunge with leisurely strolling. The "sweet little songs" from birds and fountains soothe the soul.
An extensive gym and indoor pool facility located near scenic river views. They offer specialty classes like yoga, pilates, tai chi, dance fitness and gentle joint stretches - all ideal for menopausal women. The pool provides refreshing low impact aerobic activity. Expert trainers guide clients in realistic goal-setting.
A neighborhood market/cafe selling fresh local produce, whole grain baked goods, and ready-made meals focused on anti-inflammatory ingredients like wild salmon, vegetables, nuts/seeds, fruits and herbs/spices. Their knowledgeable staff provide healthy cooking tips. The cafe exudes cozy charm for relaxing with nutritious foods.
In addition to personalized in-office care, we encourage utilizing Flanders' offerings above conducive for healing - rose therapy parks ideal for stress relief, fitness resources providing community support on healthy aging lifestyle plans, and healthy markets/cafes making proper nutrition more accessible. Our comprehensive integrative approach combines hormone balance expertise, lifestyle change coaching, stress coping skills and leveraging community wellness resources so women can thrive through menopause.
Contact The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic today to begin your journey with compassionate, specialized menopausal care.
