Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age. The menopause transition typically begins between the ages of 45-55 and marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. This life stage is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
The transition occurs because the ovaries gradually produce less of the key hormones - estrogen and progesterone. Lower hormone levels cause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and more. Menopause officially begins 12 months after the final menstrual period.
>“The best way to treat menopause is through a holistic and personalized approach that meets each woman's individual needs.”
While menopause is irreversible, many of the symptoms are treatable through hormone therapy. There are several types of estrogen and progesterone that can be used. The most common delivery methods are oral tablets, skin patches, vaginal creams, and injections.
Hormone therapy helps relieve hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and can prevent bone loss. When initiated early in menopause, it can also reduce heart disease risk. However, hormones are not right for everyone. Certain health conditions mean alternative therapies may be safer.
At Hormone Harmony Clinic in Newark, we offer comprehensive menopause treatment tailored to each patient's needs. Our expert physicians and staff provide:
We develop personalized treatment plans to help women find relief from menopause symptoms and gracefully transition into the next phase of life. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your first appointment!
The menopause transition usually begins between ages 45-55 but can start earlier or later. It begins with changes to the menstrual cycle including:
As hormone levels continue to decline, most women experience symptoms like:
Some of the most bothersome symptoms are hot flashes and night sweats. These affect up to 85% of women transitioning into menopause. Episodes can range from mild to severe, lasting from 30 seconds up to an hour. Night sweats often disrupt sleep.
>“Getting a proper diagnosis is the first step toward finding relief from menopause symptoms.”
Vaginal dryness occurs due to lower estrogen. This can lead to pain during intercourse, urinary issues, and increased infection risk. Over-the-counter lubricants provide some relief. However, prescription estrogen creams are much more effective.
Mood changes, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and memory issues are also common during the menopause transition. Stress, anxiety, irritability, and depression may increase for some women.
The severity of symptoms varies. About 25% of women experience minimal effects while 25% have severe, disabling symptoms. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce symptoms. However, most women need treatment for optimal relief.
In addition to bothersome symptoms, menopause increases risks for certain health conditions over time. This is primarily related to estrogen deficiency.
The two major long-term risks are:
Estrogen helps maintain strong, healthy bones. During menopause, bone loss accelerates due to plummeting estrogen levels. This causes bones to become fragile and vulnerable to fractures.
>“Hormone therapy helps protect bone health and prevents osteoporosis after menopause.”
Osteoporosis affects more than 200 million women worldwide. Postmenopausal women lose up to 20% of bone density in the first 5-7 years after menopause.
Fractures are painful and debilitating. Common osteoporotic fracture sites include the hip, spine, and wrist.Hip fractures have high rates of disability and even death.
Fortunately, hormone therapy and other osteoporosis medications can prevent excessive bone loss. We offer comprehensive bone density testing and treatment options.
Cardiovascular disease is the 1 cause of death in women. Risk increases after menopause due to estrogen deficiency.
Estrogen helps keep blood vessels flexible and healthy. It raises “good” HDL cholesterol while lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol. It also helps regulate blood pressure.
During menopause, these protective effects are lost. As a result, women are more prone to:
Together, these changes raise the risks of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. However, hormone therapy can help minimize these effects when started early in menopause.
Since all women experience menopause differently, testing is needed to confirm menopause and identify any hormonal imbalances.
We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic lab services right in our Newark clinic. No need to visit separate offices for blood draws or scans.
Lab tests we commonly order include:
Based on results, we can identify any nutritional deficiencies, thyroid issues, metabolic problems, cardiovascular risks, etc.
>“Accurate testing is the foundation for developing an optimal, personalized treatment plan.”
Proper hormone balance is key for feeling your best before, during, and after menopause. We carefully analyze hormone levels and patterns to create customized regimens.
Contact us to learn more and schedule thorough menopause lab testing!
Contrary to common belief, hormone replacement therapy is not the only effective treatment for menopause symptoms. Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, stress management, and dietary adjustments can significantly reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia for many women. Simple solutions like layering clothes, using fans, avoiding triggers, and keeping cool can provide relief without medication.
Once we identify any hormonal deficiencies or imbalances, we can prescribe bioidentical hormone therapy as needed. This involves using lab-created hormones that are molecularly identical to ones the body makes naturally.
The key hormones we address are:
Declining estrogen is responsible for most disruptive menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, and accelerated bone loss.
Estrogen therapy is available in different forms including oral tablets, skin patches, gels, sprays, and localized creams or vaginal rings. At Hormone Harmony Clinic, we thoughtfully determine the optimal dosage, preparation, and delivery method based on each woman's needs and preferences.
Estrogen is often prescribed in combination with progesterone or progestins to prevent overgrowth of the uterine lining.
Progesterone is the second key female hormone that declines during the menopause transition. Added progesterone helps balance the effects of estrogen therapy.
Most women do well on bioidentical progesterone which comes in oral capsules, vaginal gels, or creams. We can also prescribe FDA-approved progestins - lab-derived hormones that mimic progesterone.
Small amounts of the hormone testosterone are made by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Testosterone levels also drop off around menopause.
Replacing low testosterone can help improve:
We offer testosterone creams, gels, and low-dose patches to help optimize levels. Careful monitoring prevents overdosage.
In addition to hormone therapy, making certain lifestyle adjustments can help ease menopausal symptoms. We provide tailored recommendations such as:
Following an overall healthy lifestyle helps make the menopause transition more smooth and comfortable. We offer many supplemental therapies and referrals to help patients take care of their whole body and mind.
When it comes to navigating menopause, you deserve personalized care from a compassionate, experienced physician. At Hormone Harmony Clinic in Newark, our board-certified practitioners have extensive specialized training in menopause management.
We provide:
Our goal is to help women transition through menopause gracefully, with the optimal relief from symptoms and protection from long-term health risks like osteoporosis and heart disease.
We partner with each patient to ensure treatments match their unique needs and preferences. Your symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and personal priorities will all guide the treatment regimen.
Don't struggle through menopause alone! Our caring team of physicians, nurses, and staff are here to support you each step of the way. We have two conveniently located offices in Newark to provide comprehensive menopause treatment services to women throughout the region.
>Call Hormone Harmony Clinic today at XXX-XXX-XXXX to learn more and schedule your first appointment to start feeling better now!
The average age for menopause is 51, but it can start anytime between ages 45-55. It is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period. Women who smoke often start menopause 1-2 years earlier.
Yes, hormone blood tests are essential to rule out other causes of amenorrhea besides menopause and to identify any hormonal imbalances. Key tests check FSH, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels.
Hormone therapy (estrogen with or without progesterone) is the most consistently effective treatment. Some women also get relief from certain antidepressants or specialized herbal remedies. Lifestyle adjustments can help lessen severity as well.
Most women take hormone therapy for symptom relief for 3-5 years or until around age 60. Longer treatment provides greater protection against osteoporosis and heart disease but also increases certain risks. Your provider will guide duration based on your needs.
Most insurance plans cover physician visits, laboratory testing, and some portion of hormone therapy medications. We work with each patient to maximize insurance benefits and provide affordable care.We hope this overview has been helpful and informative! Please contact Hormone Harmony Clinic at XXX-XXX-XXXX to learn more about our personalized menopause treatment options or to schedule your first visit. We are here to support you through every stage of life.
