Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is defined as occurring 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause and can last anywhere from 2-8 years as hormone levels gradually decline.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with menopause include:
While menopause is a natural process, it can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. Thankfully, there are many safe and effective menopause treatment options available to help women manage symptoms and transition smoothly into this next phase of life.
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone play a crucial role in a woman's overall health. Estrogen in particular helps regulate menstrual cycles, bone density, skin elasticity, body temperature, cholesterol levels, heart health, and much more.
During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels start to decline. This drop in estrogen is what leads to common menopausal symptoms. Restoring hormone balance with menopause hormone therapy can often eliminate or reduce the severity of symptoms, allowing women to feel like themselves again.
Getting your hormone levels tested is key to determining if hormone therapy is right for you. A knowledgeable menopause specialist can analyze your lab results, taking into account your symptoms and health history, to create a customized treatment plan.
There are two main types of hormone therapy:
Here are some of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy during menopause:
For many women, hot flashes are the most unpleasant symptom of menopause. Hormone therapy is extremely effective at reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats for most women. Relief can be felt in as little as 3-4 weeks.
Vaginal tissues are very sensitive to decreasing estrogen levels. This commonly leads to symptoms like vaginal dryness, irritation, itching, and painful intercourse. Low-dose vaginal estrogen treatments can successfully treat vaginal atrophy and related discomfort.
Estrogen plays an important role in bone health. During menopause, declining estrogen speeds up bone loss leading to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. Hormone therapy slows the rate of bone loss helping to prevent fractures.
Estrogen helps keep skin smooth, hydrated, and elastic. The estrogen decline during menopause leads to drier, thinner, and more wrinkled skin. Hormone therapy can delay some of these changes and improve skin texture.
Menopausal hormone changes don't just affect the body, but the mind too. Many women notice memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, irritability, and depressed mood during perimenopause and menopause. These symptoms are often significantly reduced with hormone therapy.
The first step in hormone replacement therapy is always laboratory testing. At our clinic, we use advanced hormone testing to get a complete picture of your:
Testing also checks levels of FSH and LH which control estrogen and progesterone production.
Knowing your individual hormone levels allows our menopause practitioners to create a treatment plan with the right hormone medications at the right dosages to restore balance. Follow-up testing is done to ensure therapy is optimized.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to hormone therapy. The right medications and dosages can vary considerably between women depending on factors like:
A customized treatment plan may include prescription estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, thyroid medication or compounded bioidentical hormones. We tailor combinations, doses, and delivery methods (oral, topical, vaginal) to your needs.
When it comes to something as delicate as hormone balance, expertise and care matter. At Vitality Health Center in Bklyn, we specialize exclusively in hormone-related health for both women and men. Our certified menopause practitioners offer:
We partner with each woman to understand her unique situation and help her feel healthy, energized and herself again.
Hormone therapy provides the foundation, but lifestyle habits also play an important role during menopause:
Nutrition - Focus on a balanced diet high in phytoestrogens found in foods like soybeans, flaxseed, and legumes. Calcium and Vitamin D aid bone health. Limit spicy foods that may trigger hot flashes.
Fitness - Exercise helps regulate hormones and lifts mood. Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate activity like brisk walking. Include strength training to build bones. Yoga and pilates improve flexibility.
Stress Relief - Stress exacerbates menopausal symptoms. Make time for relaxing activities - meditation, massage, warm baths. Get quality sleep and rest. Address emotional health concerns.
Healthy Habits - Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke which deplete estrogen. Limit alcohol and caffeine which can worsen hot flashes and sleep issues. Stay connected socially for mental health support.
If you're a woman navigating perimenopause or menopause, you don't have to settle for feeling off. With individualized care from our experienced menopause hormone specialists and advanced hormone therapy, relief from symptoms is within reach so you can feel your best again.
Vitality Health Center is here to support, educate, and empower you through this transition. We look forward to partnering with you on your path to hormonal wellness.
