Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transition time can start 8-10 years before menopause when hormone levels naturally start to decline.
Common signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause include:
While menopause is inevitable, women do not have to suffer through symptoms. Hormone therapy can provide relief through: estrogen therapy, testosterone therapy or compounded bioidentical hormones.
Hormones are chemical messengers that control many vital processes in the body. Estrogen and progesterone are key hormones that regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle. These hormones are mainly produced in the ovaries with estrogen also produced in fat cells.
Testosterone is another vital hormone linked to energy, mood, sexual health and cognitive function. Testosterone levels peak in the 20s and steadily decline with age. Many women notice a drastic dip around menopause.
When hormones become imbalanced in perimenopause and menopause, women experience symptoms. Understanding your hormone levels through testing allows health providers to create customized treatment plans.
While the transition can be challenging, menopause hormone therapy provides immense benefits including relief of troublesome symptoms. With treatment women can continue living life uninterrupted by menopause woes.
Hormone therapy works by replacing depleted hormones helping the body function more optimally. Benefits include:
In addition to symptom relief, research shows hormone therapy early in menopause may have long-term protective health effects including a reduced risk of heart disease.
In order to create customized treatment plans, understanding a woman’s hormone levels is essential. Balance Hormone Clinic provides convenient hormone testing in Grand Forks to check levels of key hormones.
Hormone tests may include:
Progesterone works together with estrogen in monthly menstrual cycles. Low progesterone contributes to symptoms of PMS and perimenopause.
Testosterone helps regulate energy, mood, sexual health and cognitive function. Many women are surprised to learn testosterone plays a key role in the female body. Low testosterone leads to fatigue, low libido, weight gain and memory issues.
The thyroid gland controls metabolism. Low levels lead to weight gain, low energy and mood changes.
Low levels of the “sunshine” vitamin D are extremely common. Vitamin D is vital for strong bones, muscle health, immune health and wellbeing.
Understanding individual hormone levels guides health providers in creating customized hormone therapy treatment plans to help women thrive through menopause. Balance Hormone Clinic provides convenient hormone testing in Grand Forks.
There are various types of hormone therapy to provide relief from menopause symptoms helping women feel like themselves again.
Estrogen therapy is the most effective treatment option for relieving hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness providing immense relief for most women.
Estrogen therapy options include:
Estrogen therapy works rapidly helping women find relief in as little as 1-2 weeks. Treatment must be balanced with progesterone therapy to protect the uterine lining. Those who have had hysterectomies can use estrogen-only therapy.
Compounded, bioidentical estrogen formulas are also available custom-made to meet individual needs. See the bioidentical hormone section below for more details.
Testosterone therapy is growing in popularity providing immense benefits:
Testosterone therapy options:
Balance Hormone Clinic providers help determine if adding testosterone can help improve menopause symptoms.
When using systemic estrogen therapy, progesterone is also needed to provide balance and protect the uterine lining. Those without a uterus can use estrogen-only therapy.
Progesterone therapy options include:
Our providers work to find the optimal mix of estrogen and progesterone for each woman’s individual needs.
Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones naturally made in the body providing immense benefits. Hormones are custom compounded in gels, creams, capsules or suppositories.
Benefits of bioidentical hormones:
Compounded bioidentical hormones may contain:
Balance Hormone Clinic providers specialize in balancing bioidentical hormones to help women find optimal wellness during menopause.
In addition to hormone therapy, making healthy lifestyle adjustments can aid hormone balance helping women thrive through menopause.
Healthy lifestyle recommendations include:
Eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet provides the building blocks for hormones and health:
Supplement recommendations:
Regular exercise provides a wealth of benefits:
Fitness centers in Grand Forks:
Walking & biking trails:
Chronic stress leads to hormone imbalance. Be proactive about stress relief:
Local spas & wellness centers:
Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Seek treatment for any sleep disturbances keeping you from feeling well-rested.
Summary
The transition to menopause causes hormone changes that give rise to troublesome symptoms disrupting women's lives. Restoring balance through professional care and lifestyle adjustments allows women to feel like themselves during this transition.
Balance Hormone Clinic offers specialized menopause treatment in Grand Forks providing cutting-edge hormone therapy coupled with lifestyle counseling. We provide convenient hormone testing and work closely with each woman to create customized treatment plans to balance hormones, resolve symptoms and help you thrive in this new phase of life.
Acupuncture has emerged as an effective complementary therapy for managing troublesome menopause symptoms. Multiple studies indicate it can significantly reduce hot flashes and night sweats without negative side effects. As an ancient Chinese medicine practice, acupuncture's success in relieving menopause woes may seem unexpected in the modern medical world. Yet the evidence for its benefits in this area continues to grow.
