Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. The average age of menopause is 51, but it can occur anytime between the ages of 40 and 58. As a woman approaches menopause, hormonal fluctuations and declines begin to cause bothersome signs and symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone levels start to decline, while follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) increase. This hormonal imbalance is responsible for the various symptoms associated with menopause. At Restorative Health Center, we specialize in effectively treating menopause symptoms through customized hormone therapy plans. Read on to learn more about menopause, its associated symptoms, and how our experts can help you find relief through balanced hormone levels.
The hormonal changes of menopause can trigger a variety of signs and symptoms. These typically develop gradually and may persist for years. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often negatively impact a woman's quality of life.
Common menopause symptoms include:
Other menopause symptoms may include hair thinning, skin changes, headaches, heart palpitations, joint pain, and weight gain. The severity and duration of symptoms is different for each woman. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress levels, and genetics also play a role.
Many women try to grit their teeth and tough it out during menopause. But suffering through severe symptoms for years can negatively impact your health and quality of life. We recommend seeking treatment to get your symptoms under better control. Here are some top reasons why menopause treatment is so important:
Don't suffer needlessly. Our compassionate providers listen to your needs and create customized treatment plans aimed at helping you thrive during the menopause transition and beyond.
Getting your hormone levels tested is an essential first step in evaluating menopausal symptoms. The test results allow our practitioners to identify any imbalances and determine if hormone therapy is appropriate.
We recommend testing the following hormone levels:
| Hormone | Significance |
|---|---|
| Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) | Elevated levels indicate declining ovarian function. FSH > 40 mIU/mL generally signals menopause. |
| Estradiol | Low estrogen levels can cause hot flashes, bone loss, and vaginal atrophy. Goal is to keep estradiol above 50 pg/mL. |
| Progesterone | Drops rapidly during perimenopause. Progesterone cream can provide relief from heavy bleeding. |
| Testosterone | Declines with age and contributes to low libido. Normal range is 15-70 ng/dL. |
| Thyroid hormones (TSH, T4) | Thyroid dysfunction exacerbates menopause symptoms. Goal TSH is 1-2 mIU/L. |
Based on your symptoms and test results, your practitioner will advise if hormone therapy is recommended and work with you to determine the most effective treatment plan.
For optimal treatment, it's best to get tested and start therapy early in the menopause transition, when symptoms first appear. Beginning treatment during perimenopause can ease the transition to menopause.
Don't wait until symptoms are intolerable. We can help whether you're in the early stages of perimenopause or have been postmenopausal for years. Relief is possible at any stage!
Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) is the most natural and effective approach for treating menopause symptoms and hormone imbalances.
Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones made naturally in a woman's body. This allows them to bind perfectly with hormone receptors and mimic the function of your own hormones.
The bioidentical hormones commonly used for menopause include:
At Restorative Health Center, bioidentical hormones are customized and precisely dosed to match your body's needs based on symptoms and hormone testing. This personalized approach provides optimal symptom relief with minimal side effects.
Delivery methods for bioidentical hormones include:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Creams | Absorbed through the skin, creams allow for easy dose adjustments. |
| Oral capsules | Swallowed pills that are easy to take but pass through the liver. |
| Sublingual drops | Drops absorbed under the tongue that provide rapid symptom relief. |
| Pellets | Small pellets inserted under the skin that provide steady hormones for 3-6 months. |
| Vaginal inserts | Tablets inserted in the vagina that are ideal for treating localized symptoms. |
| Injections | Administered into fat tissue, injections offer convenient 1-3 week dosing. |
Our practitioners help you determine which method is optimal based on your hormone levels, symptoms, and preferences. Dose and delivery method can be adjusted over time to keep your customized therapy on target.
At Restorative Health Center, our goal is to make the menopause transition as smooth and comfortable as possible for women. We follow systematic treatment protocols optimized to provide each woman with individualized care.
Here is an overview of our step-by-step process for initiating menopause treatment:
Throughout your treatment, our practitioners make themselves available to answer your questions, address any concerns, and support you on your path to optimal hormone balance and wellness.
Lifestyle adjustments can enhance hormone balance and magnify the benefits of menopause treatment. Here are some tips:
Adopting a holistic approach that incorporates healthy lifestyle behaviors enhances hormone balance and allows you to feel your absolute best during menopause and beyond.
Hormone changes during menopause can negatively impact mental health. Many women experience increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, and memory problems as estrogen declines. Research shows that balancing hormone levels with bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone therapy can help stabilize mood and support cognitive function.
Studies demonstrate that estrogen therapy:
Progesterone enhances the beneficial effects of estrogen on mood and cognition.
Testosterone therapy for menopausal women has also been shown to:
In addition to hormone therapy, regular exercise, stress-reduction practices, social connection, and professional therapy (if needed) are important for maintaining mental wellness during menopause.
Our practitioners evaluate mental health symptoms along with hormone levels to create customized treatment plans aimed at helping women thrive from the inside out. Balancing your hormones alleviates many of the psychological challenges of menopause.
The compassionate and experienced practitioners at Restorative Health Center provide comprehensive care to support women through the menopause transition. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostics, cutting edge bioidentical hormone therapy, and an integrative approach that addresses your whole body health.
Here's what sets us apart:
We are passionate about optimizing hormone balance and relieving unwanted menopause symptoms so you can continue thriving in all areas of your life. You don't have to suffer through menopause. Our individualized treatment plans help you find real relief so you can fully embrace this next stage of life.
Hearing other women's first-hand experiences with successful menopause treatment can be both enlightening and inspiring. Here are a few real stories from our patients:
"After years of worsening hot flashes, night sweats and irritability, I finally asked my gynecologist for help. She tested my hormone levels, diagnosed me as postmenopausal, and prescribed a customized estrogen and progesterone therapy. Within a few weeks my hot flashes were dramatically reduced! I slept better and even my husband noticed my mood was more even. Adding yoga, meditation, and limiting alcohol has helped even more. I feel like myself again thanks to balancing my hormones!"
"I started having irregular periods in my mid-40s and having to wear super absorbent pads to avoid accidents. I met with a menopause specialist who said my progesterone had plummeted. She prescribed bioidentical progesterone cream which regulated my cycles. She also gave me a local estrogen cream that completely eliminated the painful intercourse I'd been having. I wish I hadn't waited so long to get help! Seeing a specialist who really understands the intricacies of hormone balance made all the difference."
"When I started perimenopause I was afraid of hormones, so I tried to manage my symptoms naturally. But after a few years, my hot flashes were miserable, sex was painful, and I was always tired. My friend convinced me to see her menopause doctor. Getting my hormones tested revealed I was low in estrogen and testosterone. The doctor started me on a bioidentical estrogen patch and testosterone cream along with lifestyle suggestions. Within a few months, my sleep improved, mental fog lifted, and I felt more like my usual self. I'm so glad I overcame my hormone phobia!"
"I first learned about hormone imbalance in my late 30s when I had my hormones tested during infertility treatments. Those results explained my crushing fatigue. Throughout perimenopause and menopause, testing my levels and working with a specialist to balance my estrogen, progesterone and testosterone has been life changing. Hot flashes are rare now, my mood is steadier, and sex drive is better. I have the energy to keep up with my growing kids. Balancing my hormones has had huge benefits beyond just relief from menopause symptoms."
Hearing about other women's experiences provides hope that you too can find relief through expert care and balanced hormones. The providers at Restorative Health Center are dedicated to guiding you on your own journey to feeling healthy, energized and comfortable in your skin during midlife and beyond.
The most common menopause treatments are hormone therapy to relieve symptoms by restoring estrogen, progesterone and testosterone to normal levels and lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and stress management. Other options include antidepressants and supplements.
It's reasonable to seek treatment when symptoms first arise and start impacting your quality of life. You don't need to wait until symptoms are severe. Early treatment can help ease the transition to menopause.
Bioidentical hormones have a molecular structure identical to hormones produced in the body. They are derived from plant sources and custom-formulated in a lab. Common types used are estradiol, progesterone and testosterone.
Yes. Because bioidentical hormones perfectly fit hormone receptors, lower doses are needed to restore balance. They have a more natural effect on the body with fewer risks.
Symptom relief is often experienced within 1-3 months but can vary based on the dose, delivery method, and how long you've had a deficiency. Our experts fine-tune your treatment plan until optimal results are achieved.
Yes! Optimizing estrogen levels strengthens bones and improves cholesterol to lower risks. Balancing hormones also has anti-aging cellular benefits for many body systems.
Eating nourishing whole foods, exercising daily, reducing stress through yoga/meditation, minimizing alcohol, and getting quality sleep support hormone balance and magnify the benefits of bioidentical therapy.Don't let menopause symptoms take over your life. Our caring providers at Restorative Health Center are here to listen and craft solutions tailored just for you. We're
