The transition into menopause, medically referred to as perimenopause, starts for most women in their late 40s to early 50s. As the ovaries produce less of the key female hormones estrogen and progesterone, menstrual cycles become irregular and eventually stop. In addition to missed or irregular periods, common symptoms include:
Sudden feelings of intense body heat, flushing of the skin, and sweating, which can disrupt sleep and daily life. These vasomotor symptoms are some of the most common complaints during perimenopause.
Declining estrogen levels can cause the vaginal tissue to become drier, thinner, and more prone to irritation. This can lead to symptoms like itchiness, burning, pain during sex, and urinary tract infections.
Hormone fluctuations can trigger anxiety, irritability, mood swings, trouble focusing, fatigue, and insomnia. The frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats also interrupt sleep.
Some women may experience hair loss or thinning, dry skin, weight gain centered around the midsection, declining muscle mass and strength, frequent urinary tract infections, and other issues. The wide variety of possible menopause symptoms reflects how lower estrogen and progesterone levels affect many aspects of a woman's health.
If left untreated for prolonged periods, declining estrogen levels put perimenopausal and postmenopausal women at higher risk for serious long-term health issues:
Estrogen plays an important protective role in bone health. Without adequate estrogen, bones lose density faster than new bone can form, leading to osteoporosis.
The natural drop in estrogen during the menopausal transition appears to be linked to unhealthy changes in blood lipids and higher circulating levels of inflammatory markers. This may raise the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
The normal age-related decline in metabolic rate combined with hormonal changes promotes abdominal fat accumulation. Excess visceral fat raises the chances of developing insulin resistance, diabetes, and other cardiovascular risks.
Years of low hormone levels progressively cause the tissues lining the vagina and urethra to atrophy. This leads to symptoms like recurrent UTIs, incontinence, pain during penetrative sex, and overall discomfort that greatly impacts quality of life.
In summary, supporting hormonal balance with properly-timed treatment can help alleviate unpleasant menopausal symptoms in the short term while also protecting long-term health.
While every woman's experience with menopause differs, the core goals of treatment are similar - alleviate troublesome symptoms for an improved quality of life while also protecting against the development of hormone-sensitive health conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease.
However, finding the right treatment approach involves carefully weighing the pros and cons of different options:
Moderate regular exercise, stress reduction practices, dietary changes, and other healthy lifestyle measures can lessen some symptoms. But they aren't enough to address moderate to severe menopause complaints for most women.
Some herbal products may provide mild relief for hot flashes and night sweats, but research on their effectiveness is limited. Quality and active ingredient concentrations also tend to vary widely between brands.
Low-dose antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and other medications are sometimes prescribed off label to manage hot flashes. But these drugs carry side effects and don't treat the underlying issue of hormone deficiency.
Also referred to as compounded bioidentical hormone therapy or CBHT, this customized approach uses lab testing to identify and address each woman's unique hormone imbalances with customized doses and delivery methods of bioidentical estrogen and progesterone.
Out of available options for treating menopause, BHRT offers the most comprehensive management by replacing deficient hormones at the safe lowest doses that alleviate symptoms, while also conferring important protective effects against long-term health conditions like osteoporosis.
The physicians at Balance Health Clinic specialize in treating menopause through customized bioidentical hormone replacement tailored to each woman's needs, with an emphasis on:
We test hormone, thyroid, nutrient, and other key blood levels to accurately detect where imbalances exist. This informs appropriate hormone doses and preparations.
Follow-up lab testing occurs around 6 weeks into new prescriptions or dose changes to ensure hormones reach optimal levels before adjusting medications as needed.
BHRT forms the foundation of treatment by replacing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones as clinically indicated. We combine this with customized nutrition plans, supplements, stress reduction techniques, and other complementary therapies for optimal relief.
In addition to in-office appointments, we utilize telehealth to improve access to appointments. We also provide in-depth education about all aspects of menopause management so patients feel empowered about their treatment plans.
In summary, no two women have the exact same experience with menopause or identical hormone needs. The physicians at Balance Health Clinic specialize in highly customized BHRT guided by lab testing to enhance both short and long-term wellness throughout this transition and beyond.
A surprising new study found that practicing yoga poses specifically targeting symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings can be as effective as hormone therapy in helping women manage menopause. Simple lifestyle changes like yoga offer a drug-free way to ease challenging menopause symptoms.
In addition to specialized clinical care through Balance Health Clinic, the Beachwood area offers many high-quality wellness resources that complement hormone therapy to further support women navigating menopause:
This affordable local gym provides group fitness classes and personal trainers to help patients stay active as part of their treatment plan.
Patients can conveniently fill specialized compounded hormone prescriptions at this full-service community pharmacy located near our clinic.
Pamper yourself with therapeutic massage, facials, and relaxation services at this elegant local spa voted best in Beachwood 3 years running.
Combining individualized hormone therapy from Balance Health Clinic with taking advantage of convenient local wellness resources allows perimenopausal and menopausal women in the Beachwood area to access comprehensive support for managing symptoms and protecting long-term health.
Contact the knowledgeable physicians at Balance Health Clinic today to learn more and take the first step towards finding your optimal hormone balance.
