Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop permanently and she can no longer get pregnant naturally. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During perimenopause, fluctuation in hormones causes changes in menstrual flow and cycles, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and emotional changes.
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age is 51. The process can take a few years. When a woman has not had a period for 12 months in a row, she has reached menopause.
Some common symptoms associated with menopause include:
These changes can start when the production of female hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, begins to slow down and become more irregular. However, symptoms vary widely among women - some women experience mild symptoms while some suffer from more disruptive effects. Lifestyle factors like poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and high stress can worsen the symptoms.
There are several long term health risks associated with menopause as well, including:
That's why it's so important to make healthy lifestyle choices during this transition and get proper medical care when needed. Estrogen helps protect bone health, maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and regulate mood. So replacing this vital hormone with hormone therapy (HT) helps alleviate symptoms and prevent potential health problems associated with loss of hormones after menopause.
The medical providers at Balance Hormone Clinic specialize in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) to help women manage symptoms of menopause.
We create customized treatment plans including prescription estrogen and progesterone to restore hormonal balance and address unique needs of each woman.
We begin with getting a thorough history of symptoms, menstrual cycle history, current health status, family history, and lifestyle factors. Then we recommend appropriate medical testing to measure hormone levels, including:
These tests help accurately determine current hormone levels and rule out any underlying medical conditions. Then we can identify the optimal type and dosage of hormone therapy customized for each patient for the best results possible.
Follow up tests helps monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments. We also provide hormone level testing services to women who simply want to get their levels checked during perimenopause or menopause transition stages.
There are several delivery methods available for hormone therapy:
Oral tablets are commonly prescribed options. Creams, gels, lotions can be topically applied for transdermal absorption. Vaginal inserts like suppositories, creams and rings deliver hormones directly to vaginal tissue and limit side effects compared to systemic treatment.
We thoughtfully consider your needs and preferences when recommending the route of administration for therapy.
The various estrogens and progestogens used are:
Bioidentical hormones - like estradiol, estrone, and progesterone - are structurally identical to the hormones made in women's bodies. So they are the closest match and best absorbed. We prefer bioidentical when suitable, especially progesterone over synthetic progestins.
Testosterone therapy may be added for some women with persistent lack of libido or sexual sensitivity complaints. We carefully evaluate if adding small doses of testosterone along with estrogen/progesterone therapy could help alleviate those specific menopause concerns.
Compounded hormones are an alternative custom-made by a specialty pharmacy according to our exact specifications for each woman. This allows getting very specific doses or special hormone preparations.
Along with hormone therapy, we provide guidance on lifestyle measures women can incorporate to further ease this transition:
We help women implement healthy habits and offer referrals to nutritionists, personal trainers etc. to make positive changes.
Good social support, community resources like local menopause support groups and talking to other women going through the same struggles makes this transition much more manageable. We try to connect patients to share experiences and tips on navigating menopause comfortably.
There are several advantages to getting treated for menopause specifically at Balance Hormone Clinic:
Our clinic focuses exclusively on sexual health, hormone therapy and wellness - unlike general practitioners who have limited knowledge of optimally managing menopause.
Our menopause specialists stay current with the latest advancements in testing and types of hormone therapy through continued education. We individualize treatment based on your symptoms, health profile, genes, preferences - not take a one-size fits all approach.
We utilize advanced medical tests to accurately evaluate hormone levels and customize dosing. We also offer genetic testing to understand predispositions and optimize treatment based on your DNA. Our cutting edge tools provide the most precise solutions.
We emphasize bioidentical hormones which molecularly match naturally occurring hormones - making them more recognizable and suitable to the body than synthetic hormone alternatives.
Plant-derived hormones are also available for women wanting non-synthetic options. Compounded BHRT allows getting very specific ratios, doses and administration routes catered to you.
While we offer the latest medical hormone therapy, we also provide guidance on nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and other lifestyle measures as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
We collaborate with mental health professionals, dietitians etc to address the emotional, social aspects along with biological changes associated with menopause - caring for the whole woman.
Our clinic serves the women of Davenport area with compassionate, convenient care in a comfortable setting right in your neighborhood. You save time, money and effort getting high quality treatment for menopause near your home or work.
We are passionate about optimizing women's health and empowering them to thrive through midlife changes. Leverage our expertise so you can continue enjoying life uninterrupted by menopause woes.
We try to create a support network and sense of community for local menopausal women to connect. Our free seminars and events offer helpful information and a welcoming space to share common concerns.
Consider joining our menopause support group to receive understanding, encouragement and wisdom from women undergoing similar situations, facilitated by our staff.
Here are some useful local establishments in Davenport area that can enhance your overall wellbeing and menopause management:
These wonderful places provide holistic healing modalities, movement sessions, clean eating options and testing services that nicely complement hormone therapy on your self-care journey.
Acupuncture has emerged as an effective complementary therapy for managing troublesome menopause symptoms. Studies show it can significantly reduce hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, and mood changes when combined with other therapies. The precise mechanism is still being investigated but likely involves modulating hormones and neurotransmitters.
It is crucial to obtain proper medical care to manage troublesome signs like hot flashes and vaginal discomfort to preserve your quality of life. Equally important is early detection and treatment of long term health risks of osteoporosis, heart disease associated with menopause.
Prolonged estrogen deficiency after ovaries stop functioning can progressively worsen problems like:
Research shows hormone therapy started within 6 years of menopause and taken for up to 5 years provides optimal benefits and prevents long term harm.
But treatment can be helpful at any age as long as women don't have contradictions like history of breast cancer, blood clots etc. It is never too late to address bothersome symptoms or start preventing bone loss and cardiovascular disease.
We carefully evaluate your health status and risk factors before designing a customized hormone restoration plan best suited for your age and stage of menopause. The goal is to use the lowest effective hormone dosage for the shortest duration providing symptom relief.
As Davenport's top menopause specialists, we are equipped to properly diagnose hormone imbalance associated with perimenopause or menopause stages. Trust us to get your levels tested, interpret results accurately and determine safe, effective treatment options for smooth sailing through this transition.
We strive to offer real solutions so you can fully embrace becoming wiser, more comfortable and empowered in midlife.说Menopause is a pivotal milestone - make it a positive turning point!
Contact Balance Hormone Clinic today to schedule a consultation and get started on balancing your hormones for optimal aging. Our comprehensive menopause care provides both medical and holistic support so you can continue thriving in the prime of your life.
