Menopause is a natural event that every woman experiences as part of the aging process. The term "menopause" refers to the point in time when a woman's menstrual periods stop permanently. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transition time can last several years and is an important period to understand.
Key changes that occur during the perimenopausal transition include:
These changes are a direct result of declining estrogen levels in a woman's body. Estrogen is an important hormone that regulates many bodily processes. As the body makes less estrogen, significant symptoms can occur that impact a woman's quality of life.
Getting an accurate menopause diagnosis is important for guiding appropriate treatment options. A doctor will typically diagnose a woman as being postmenopausal if she has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.
To help diagnose menopause, doctors may order blood tests. These can check levels of:
Thyroid tests may also be recommended because thyroid issues can cause similar symptoms. Evaluation of menopause symptoms and medical history will provide additional insight.
The various symptoms associated with menopause can significantly disrupt a woman's normal routine and quality of life. Lifestyle measures combined with medical treatments can help provide relief.
Making certain lifestyle adjustments may help ease some menopausal signs:
Small daily steps to support physical and mental health can go a long way.
Hormone therapy (HT) replaces hormones that decline during menopause. The most common type is estrogen therapy, but progesterone may also be recommended. There are many hormone products and doses to choose from.HT is highly effective at relieving hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep issues, and mood problems related to low estrogen levels.
When estrogen therapy is started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, benefits generally outweigh risks. HT has been shown to:
Close monitoring is important during HT treatment to ensure benefits continue to outweigh any risks of side effects. Dose adjustments or product changes can be made as needed.
Low-dose vaginal estrogen is a targeted treatment option specifically for painful intercourse or other vaginal issues if those are a woman’s only menopausal symptoms. This spares the rest of the body from systemic hormone exposure.
There has been growing recognition that testosterone levels also decline in women during the menopause transition. Supplementing testosterone along with estrogen may help some women who have low testosterone.
A simple blood test can check a woman’s free testosterone level. “Free” refers to the testosterone available for the body to use. Signs that may prompt testing include:
If free testosterone is confirmed to be low, further evaluation would ensure other medical conditions are not causing symptoms.
Testosterone therapy for women consists of DHEA pills or custom compounded testosterone gels, creams or pellets. Positive effects may include:
Just like with any hormone therapy, potential side effects would be closely monitored with ongoing blood work and follow-up. Dose adjustments allow customization of treatment.
Not all women need or want testosterone replacement. Discussing options with a menopause specialist can help determine if testosterone therapy is appropriate.
With life expectancy continuing to increase, women today live over one-third of their lives after menopause. Having access to clinicians fully trained in caring for menopausal and postmenopausal women is vital.
Seek out practitioners who:
It is important to understand all the pros and cons when considering hormone therapy. An experienced menopause specialist will take the time to address concerns and find the right solutions.
Vitality Hormone Center specializes in helping women smoothly transition into the postmenopausal period of life. Our clinicians stay current on the latest research and treatment strategies to best serve patients.
We provide cutting edge hormone testing and both traditional and bioidentical hormone therapies. Treatment plans are customized after thoroughly evaluating each woman’s symptoms, health history, risk factors, preferences, and goals. Ongoing monitoring ensures optimal response and safety.
In addition to medical services, we offer nutrition, fitness and wellness programs. A collaborative approach addresses the complete health of women at this pivotal life stage.
Vitality Hormone Center is committed to supporting every woman’s transition through menopause with individualized care, compassion and clinical excellence. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
