The transition into menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. The phase leading up to menopause is called perimenopause and it typically begins in a woman's 40s. This transitional time period is associated with fluctuations in hormone levels that can trigger symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, and mood changes. Following menopause, due to the sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone, women are at an increased risk for conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease. Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and stress management become especially important during this time.
The hallmark sign of perimenopause and menopause is changes in a woman's menstrual cycle. Periods may become heavier, lighter, or more irregular. Other common symptoms include:
While these symptoms can significantly impact one's quality of life, there are effective treatment options available, especially through hormone therapy.
When a woman starts experiencing perimenopausal symptoms, it is crucial that she gets her hormone levels tested. Blood tests can measure levels of key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone).
Getting baseline hormone levels gives insight into one's transition through menopause. These test results allow menopause specialists to create customized treatment plans to help alleviate difficult symptoms. Annual follow-up testing helps ensure therapies are working optimally.
Local laboratories that offer menopause hormone testing:
Hormone therapy (HT) replaces hormones that decline during perimenopause and menopause. The two main types are estrogen therapy and progesterone therapy. Therapies come in different forms like pills, skin patches, vaginal creams, and suppositories.
Estrogen therapy (ET) is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. ET comes in both systemic forms, which treats the whole body, and localized vaginal estrogen which treats genitourinary tissues. Estrogen helps regulate menstrual cycles and improves bone health, heart health, skin thickness, and brain function.
Progesterone therapy (PT) may be needed if a woman still has her uterus. Taking estrogen alone can increase one's risk of uterine cancer. However, combining estrogen with progesterone protects the uterine lining. Women who have had hysterectomies can take estrogen alone. Progesterone also helps minimize hot flashes, improves sleep, and more.
Hormone therapy works by replenishing depleted hormones to alleviate symptoms and reduce health risks after menopause. Effectiveness varies by each woman's hormone needs and her responsiveness to therapy. Most women can take hormones for relief of symptoms through age 60. Risks and benefits should always be discussed with one's healthcare provider before starting hormones.
Our clinic was founded by top menopause specialists to focus solely on guiding women through the changes leading up to, during and after menopause. We spend extensive time listening to each patient, getting detailed histories of symptoms, using specialized lab testing to uncover hormonal imbalances, and then crafting individualized treatment plans.
Our goal is to optimize hormones to: alleviate troublesome menopause symptoms, reduce long term health risks, and help patients continue thriving personally and professionally. We aim to make menopause management feel effortless and empowering.
At Equilibrium Hormone Institute we offer cutting edge hormone therapies including bioidentical hormones which are plant based and mimic the body's natural hormones. Many women find these easier to tolerate over conventional synthetic hormones. We provide both systemic and localized vaginal hormone options to target specific treatment areas. And we continually monitor labs and symptoms and modify therapy accordingly.
Our team stays up to date on the latest research and best practices in menopause medicine and hormone therapy. We develop close partnerships with our patients to collaboratively navigate their transition through perimenopause and beyond menopause. We're invested in each woman's long term health, wellbeing and vitality during midlife and aging.
There are many reasons to choose Equilibrium Hormone Institute for your hormone-related care during perimenopause, menopause and aging:
Our extensive expertise in hormonal changes throughout menopause allows us to swiftly pinpoint issues and get treatments dialed in using the latest evidence-based protocols. We support our patients physically, emotionally and in continuing meaningful productivity in work and life.
Studies show that practicing yoga and mindfulness meditation can help ease menopause symptoms. These relaxing techniques have been found to reduce hot flashes, mood swings, sleep issues, and muscle tension associated with menopause by lowering stress hormones and promoting emotional well-being.
Alongside hormone therapy, we educate patients on key lifestyle changes that can ease this transition and protect long term health after menopause:
Nutrition - An anti-inflammatory diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and plant-based proteins protects heart health, bones, muscles and brain functioning. Key nutrients like magnesium and Omega 3s also support hormonal balance and help minimize troublesome menopausal symptoms.
Fitness - Weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise a few times a week maintains bone density helping prevent osteoporosis. Aerobic activity improves heart health, blood pressure, blood sugar regulation, joint flexibility, balance and coordination. Exercise also alleviates stress and boosts mood.
Sleep hygiene - Prioritizing high quality sleep and managing insomnia helps alleviate mood issues, foggy thinking, fatigue, stress and even hormonally-driven night sweats. Key tips include keeping consistent bed/wake times, limiting caffeine and creating an optimal sleep environment.
Stress management - Various relaxation practices like breathwork, meditation, yoga, massage and nature immersion activate the parasympathetic nervous system to counterbalance hormones like cortisol. This relieves anxiety, depression, hot flashes and more.
Community - Surrounding oneself with understanding friends, joining a menopause support group and finding solidarity through shared experiences helps women feel less alone and more resilient through the challenges of menopause.
Local wellness establishments:
Integrating the above lifestyle habits alongside hormone therapy lays the foundation for graceful aging by safeguarding one's vitality, purpose and engagement in later chapters of life.
If you are a woman over 40 in the Prosper area looking for specialized care to ease this transition, contact Equilibrium Hormone Institute today for a consultation. Our compassionate, experienced healthcare providers will partner with you to thrive through perimenopause, menopause and beyond!
