Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age, marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. The average age of menopause is 51, but it can occur anytime between the ages of 40-58. As a woman approaches menopause, hormone levels fluctuate and decline, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, and more.
While menopause is inevitable, the symptoms can greatly impact a woman's quality of life. Thankfully, there are many effective treatments available today to relieve symptoms and help women transition comfortably into this new phase of life. At Rejuvenate Health Center, our caring providers specialize in individualized menopause treatment plans to optimize hormone balance and provide symptom relief.
The leading sign of perimenopause and menopause is a change in menstrual cycles. Periods may become irregular, heavier, or lighter as ovulation becomes less frequent. Other common symptoms include:
These symptoms vary in frequency and severity between women. Other possible symptoms include fatigue, memory problems, weight gain, headaches, joint pain, heart palpitations, and loss of breast fullness.
Menopause occurs due to the natural depletion of ovarian follicles in a woman's body over time. As we age, the ovaries gradually lose their ability to produce crucial reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Perimenopause is the 2-10 year transition period leading up to menopause, when hormone levels fluctuate erratically. This hormonal instability is what causes the various symptoms. Menopause is reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. At this point the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and her hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) have declined significantly.
The hormonal changes of menopause come with increased risks to long-term health if left untreated:
| Health Risk | Reason |
|---|---|
| Osteoporosis | Lower estrogen accelerates bone loss, increasing fracture risk |
| Heart disease | Declining estrogen is associated with higher cholesterol and blood pressure |
| Diabetes | The risk of developing diabetes increases for menopausal women |
| Weight gain | Shifting hormones often cause fat accumulation in the abdomen |
| Mood disorders | Hormone changes can trigger depression and anxiety |
That's why timely evaluation and individualized treatment is so important for women in perimenopause and postmenopause. Our providers at Rejuvenate Health Center can help assess risks, provide screening and monitoring, and craft therapies to protect long-term health.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) restores depleted hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone to healthy, pre-menopause levels. When dosed properly, HRT can:
At Rejuvenate Health Center, we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy - using plant-derived hormones identical to those naturally produced in the body. This maximizes treatment benefits while minimizing risks. We also provide compounded HRT formulations customized to each woman's needs and preferences.
While hormone therapy is extremely helpful for relieving troublesome menopause symptoms, lifestyle measures also play an important role. Here are some healthy living tips to help ease the transition:
Accurately diagnosing menopause involves tracking menstrual cycles, performing a physical exam, documenting symptoms, and testing hormone levels through blood and possibly saliva tests.
Key aspects of the diagnostic process include:
At Rejuvenate Health Center, your provider will take a thorough history and perform the necessary testing to accurately diagnose your menopausal status. We use this information to design the ideal treatment plan for your needs.
If menopausal symptoms are significantly impacting quality of life, hormone replacement therapy is recommended for relief. There are a variety of options to provide the hormones that your body is lacking:
| Delivery Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Tablets | Estrogen, progestins, or combination tablets taken daily |
| Patches | Estrogen patches applied and replaced twice weekly |
| Vaginal Rings | Flexible ring inserted into the vagina to deliver estrogen directly to vaginal tissue |
| Vaginal Creams | Daily estrogen cream inserted with an applicator |
| Gels | Daily estrogen gel applied to arms and shoulders |
| Sprays | Daily estrogen spray applied to forearms |
| Implants | Surgically implanted estrogen pellets slowly release hormones |
| Injections | Estrogen injections every 1-3 months |
| Bioidentical hormones | Plant-derived hormones identical to those naturally produced by the body |
| Compounded HRT | Customized prescription hormone combinations and dosages |
At Rejuvenate Health Center, we thoughtfully determine the ideal delivery methods, bioidentical hormone preparations, and dosages tailored specifically for you. Our providers are experts at finding the perfect fit to meet your individual needs. We work closely with specialized compounding pharmacies to offer truly personalized therapy.
If you're experiencing moderate to severe menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy can help you feel like yourself again.
Here is an overview of starting HRT:
The providers at Rejuvenate Health Center will guide you through each step of the process. We look forward to helping you find the optimal hormone therapy to thrive through menopause and beyond!
At Rejuvenate Health Center, we make women's hormone health our top priority. Our clinic offers:
Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience, but the symptoms can greatly impact quality of life. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available to relieve symptoms and promote long-term health. Hormone replacement therapy, along with lifestyle modifications, can help women navigate this transition with greater ease and wellbeing.
At Rejuvenate Health Center, we are passionate about optimizing women's health and wellbeing throughout the menopausal transition and beyond. Our goal is for you to feel your best - during this transition and in all the years to come. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an evaluation with one of our expert providers. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey to optimal health!
