The onset of menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. The average age for the last period is 51, but it may occur earlier or later. As estrogen levels decline, women may experience unpleasant menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irritability, trouble sleeping, etc. Around this time, bodies change - fat accumulates around the midsection, bones lose density increasing fracture risk, skin thins and sags, hair loses volume. Hormone therapy (HT) helps relieve symptoms and prevent long term effects of hormonal decline.
Menopause occurs when ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones, signaling the end of fertility. It is diagnosed after 12 months without periods. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, when hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably. Some early signs of perimenopause include menstrual irregularity, PMS symptoms, trouble sleeping, mood swings, hot flashes. These hormonal changes may last for several years.
Many women have symptoms related to declining estrogen/progesterone levels both before and after menopause. Some typical menopausal symptoms include:
Over time, dropping estrogen levels after menopause accelerate bone loss. This leads to osteoporosis making bones brittle and prone to fractures. It also contributes to heart disease risk. Estrogen helps stabilize moods, so some women have worsening anxiety/depression. Lower estrogen also reduces collagen and elastin production, causing skin to sag and wrinkle.
Hormonal changes during the perimenopause and postmenopause period bring physical and emotional challenges. Addressing hormone imbalances can help minimize disruptive menopause symptoms and long term health risks.
Since menopause signals fertility ending, it is diagnosed retrospectively - after 12 months without menstrual bleeding. Women over 45 with irregular periods, hot flashes or night sweats may be entering perimenopause.
Blood tests help diagnose hormone status: - FSH levels - FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels start to rise as menopause approaches - Estrogen levels - declining estrogen contributes to menopausal symptoms - Anti-Müllerian hormone level - dropping levels predict onset of menopause
Thyroid function and other labs may be checked to uncover any issues affecting hormone balance. Discuss any concerning symptoms with your healthcare provider. Keeping them informed helps determine the best treatment options.
Hormone therapy (HT) replenishes depleted hormones to alleviate unpleasant menopause symptoms. When initiated close to menopause, HT has significant protective benefits for long-term health. But risks may outweigh benefits if started 10 years after menopause.
For those with moderate to severe symptoms, hormone therapy provides life-changing relief. Benefits:
Most symptoms can be effectively managed with properly balanced bioidentical hormones - including estrogen, progesterone and/or testosterone.
Estrogen has protective effects on bone, preserving bone mineral density. HT reduces spinal fracture risk by 30-40% when initiated around menopause. It also prevents osteoporosis.
Starting HT shortly after menopause seems to provide some cardiovascular benefits:
Estrogen supports healthy blood flow and blood pressure. It reduces inflammation protecting artery walls. Continuing therapy long-term may lose these benefits.
Hormonal swings during perimenopause and menopause can trigger anxiety, depression and mood swings in some women. These may resolve with HT, which helps modulate moods.
Progesterone has calming effects in the brain. Some report feeling more relaxed, less irritable and more able to cope with stress when taking bioidentical progesterone.
Collagen and elastin fibers give skin its elasticity and youthful appearance. Estrogen stimulates production of these proteins. After menopause, reduced estrogen allows skin to sag, thin and wrinkle.
Hormone therapy helps sustain collagen and elastin levels to keep skin plump and supple. It also promotes circulation and nutrient delivery to nourish skin cells.
There are various hormone preparations to suit each woman's needs. The most optimal choice mimics the body's natural rhythms. Therapy works best when customized and carefully monitored since hormonal needs change over time.
Bioidentical hormones - including BiEst, progesterone and DHEA - are identical in molecular structure to those produced in the body. They are well tolerated with fewer risks. Options include:
Compounded BHRT creams allow combining hormones at precise ratios. Levels can be adjusted by changing the dosage.
Commonly prescribed menopause drugs contain synthetic or equine estrogens. These may have slightly higher risks. Types include:
FDA approved drugs like these can be covered by insurance with a prescription. But they usually involve trial and error dosing.
Discuss options with a hormone specialist to determine the optimal regimen. Consider:
Quarterly follow up labs ensure adequate yet safe dosing. Hormone needs evolve so testing helps guide adjustments.
Good self care habits enhance hormone therapy effectiveness and support a more comfortable transition through menopause. Simple steps like these contribute to better wellbeing:
High stress exacerbates hot flashes, disrupts sleep and destabilizes moods. Relaxation practices like yoga, deep breathing and meditation help calm the nervous system. Decompressing daily through simple pleasures brings balance. Consider supportive mind-body therapies.
Eating nutritious whole foods gives the body resources needed to function optimally. Fruits, veggies, lean proteins and healthy fats curb sugar cravings and boost energy while providing antioxidants to protect cells. Staying active keeps muscles and bones stronger, aids sleep and mental health, and helps manage weight.
Getting adequate deep restorative sleep is essential but often challenging during menopause. Practicing excellent sleep hygiene - with an evening wind down routine, limiting electronics, and keeping the bedroom cool and dark - supports more refreshing rest. Some find melatonin supplements useful.
Spending time with empathetic friends who listen and understand helps lessen the emotional load. Support groups connect women having similar experiences to feel less alone. Therapy provides tools for navigating challenges. Connections nurture our wellbeing.
Studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as effective as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in managing troublesome menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes and sleep disruption. CBT helps women identify and change negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies, providing a useful drug-free alternative to HRT.
The Equilibrium Hormone Institute specializes in natural solutions for easing the menopausal transition and improving quality of life throughout midlife and beyond. Our customized plans address the root causes of hormonal issues for more sustainable results.
We partner with each woman to fine tune hormone doses in response to evolving needs. Ongoing monitoring and labwork helps ensure therapy effectiveness and safety.
Our goal is to reduce unwanted symptoms for a healthy enjoyable midlife transition. We also aim to lower long term disease risks correlated with hormonal decline.
We listen intently and seek to fully understand all that’s going on physically, mentally and emotionally during this challenging chapter of life. By addressing all factors and root causes, we can better customize sensible holistic plans to meet each person’s individual needs for balanced hormones and thriving health.
We validate that this profound transition brings up many feelings and changes to adapt to. We provide helpful information and tools to make the adjustments smoother.
The providers at Equilibrium Hormone Institute have specialized training and extensive experience caring for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Our holistic, individualized solutions have helped numerous clients find relief from unsettling symptoms to get back to fully enjoying life again.
We start by listening to all concerns and getting a clear picture of what’s happening through comprehensive labs and analysis. Collaborating closely, we identify root imbalance causes and fine-tune multi-modal therapies to specifically target issues for that person.
Follow up appointments and testing help us continually optimize hormone doses in line with changing needs due to aging. We also offer relevant lifestyle guidance and tools to empower sustainable results.
We are passionate about helping women smoothly transition into the second half of life feeling their best through balanced hormones, stellar nutrition, stress-busting and rest. Contact us to determine if our solutions might be a fit to get your mojo back!
