Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. As a woman approaches menopause, her ovaries begin to produce less of the key hormones - estrogen and progesterone - needed to regulate menstrual cycles.
Eventually, estrogen and progesterone levels drop low enough that menstrual periods stop completely. This point is known as menopause. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transitional time can last up to 10 years as hormone levels rise and fall unevenly.
Key things to know:
Menopause occurs primarily due to ovarian aging and the natural depletion of ovarian follicles. Follicles are structures in the ovaries that contain a woman's egg cells. Throughout a woman's reproductive years, her body produces follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to develop and release an egg each month.
As a woman ages, her ovarian reserve of follicles declines. Eventually there are so few follicles left that egg development and ovulation becomes irregular and periods stop. At this point, she has reached menopause.
In summary, menopause is caused by:
Genetics and lifestyle factors like smoking can accelerate ovarian aging and influence the age at which menopause occurs. Premature menopause before age 40 occurs in about 1% of women.
The declining estrogen levels that define menopause can cause a variety of bothersome symptoms including:
Estrogen deficiency after menopause also leads to long term health risks like:
Managing symptoms and reducing long-term health risks are main reasons women consider menopause treatment. Lifestyle changes and hormone therapy are options we will cover in detail.
Hormone therapy (HT), also called menopausal hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy, is used to supplement estrogen, progesterone or both. Goals of HT include:
The biggest advantage of HT is it treats the root hormonal imbalance that causes menopausal symptoms. Used properly under medical supervision, HT is very effective and safe for most women.
Types of hormone therapy include:
The type used depends on a woman's menopause status and whether she has a uterus.
The following women are candidates for hormone therapy:
Hormone therapy is generally safe for healthy women in this group when benefits outweigh risks. Women over 60 or more than 10 years from menopause onset may also benefit from hormone therapy but should be more carefully evaluated.
Certain health conditions may restrict use of HT. Your doctor will review your full medical history before recommending treatment.
Bioidentical hormones are compounds that are structurally identical to the hormones naturally made in a woman's body. This allows them to bind and activate receptors in the body just like naturally produced hormones.
Types of bioidentical hormones include:
These hormones are available from both traditional pharmacies and specialized compounding pharmacies. Vital Hormones Clinic works with top compounding pharmacies to provide customized bioidentical hormone preparations.
Key advantages of bioidentical hormones:
Talk to your Vital Hormones Clinic specialist to learn if bioidentical hormone therapy is right for your treatment plan.
In perimenopause and menopause, falling estrogen levels cause symptoms like:
Other signs of hormone imbalance include:
Pay attention to symptoms that develop as you approach menopause. Keeping a diary of symptoms and periods can help identify patterns. Don't hesitate to discuss concerning or disruptive symptoms with your healthcare provider.
Comprehensive hormone testing is key for identifying imbalances. Vital Hormones Clinic offers advanced hormone panels to measure levels of:
Values are compared to optimal ranges based on your age and menopause status. This helps create a customized treatment plan to restore hormone balance.
Testing is repeated throughout treatment to ensure hormones remain in ideal ranges. Vital Hormones Clinic partners with top specialized labs like ZRT Laboratory to provide accurate saliva, blood and urine hormone tests.
Vital Hormones Clinic takes an integrative approach to menopause care and health after 50:
We provide:
Our goal is helping women:
Our clinic is directed by Dr. Jane Wells, a board certified endocrinologist and national leader in bioidentical hormone therapy.
Dr. Wells works with a team of nursing providers, dietitians, health coaches and compounding pharmacists to deliver personalized care.
We also partner with experts across specialties:
As a comprehensive menopause center, Vital Hormones Clinic offers:
For diagnosis:
For treatment:
For optimal health:
We also provide specialized services for sexual health, weight loss, fitness and wellbeing during and after menopause under one roof.
If you're struggling with menopause symptoms or have health concerns after 50, contact Vital Hormones Clinic today to schedule an evaluation. Our menopause specialists provide compassionate care based on the latest scientific evidence and over 25 years caring for women just like you. We look forward to helping you thrive during this transition and beyond!
Studies show that practicing tai chi can help alleviate many symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, mood changes, sleep problems, and joint pain. The slow, meditative movements help reduce stress and promote mindfulness, which counteracts the effects of shifting hormone levels during this transition.
While hormone therapy is excellent for relieving menopausal symptoms, lifestyle interventions can also ease this transition. Our clinicians provide counseling on beneficial lifestyle changes including:
For hot flashes & night sweats:
For mood, memory and sleep issues:
For sexual health:
For overall health:
Vital Hormones Clinic provides personalized recommendations and referrals to dietitians, health coaches and specialists to support the lifestyle changes that work best for you.
Vital Hormones Clinic has partnered with outstanding local businesses to provide adjunct services that promote midlife wellness in Seminole county.
Fitness & Exercise
Healthy Eating
Stress Relief & Community
Check out these local partners when looking for healthy living resources in Seminole county to manage menopause or enrich life after 50.
We hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of menopause treatment including:
The providers at Vital Hormones Clinic menopause center offer compassionate state-of-the-art care throughout perimenopause, menopause and beyond. Our goal is supporting women to feel their best at any age.
