Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause happens when a woman's ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, causing menstrual periods to stop.
Some key signs of menopause include:
While menopause is a natural transition, it can come with unpleasant symptoms. Hormone therapy can provide relief.
Getting tested for menopause is important to understand what's happening in your body. A simple blood test can check your hormone levels. Common tests include:
Based on your test results, your menopause specialist can determine if you are in perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause.
Perimenopause refers to the time leading up to menopause when hormone levels begin to fluctuate. This transition phase can last for several years.
During perimenopause, you may experience mild menopause symptoms come and go. Periods may be heavier or lighter.
Menopause is reached when you have no menstrual cycle for 12 straight months. At this point hormone production has substantially declined. Menopause symptoms tend to be more severe and persistent.
Understanding the differences between these stages is key for proper treatment.
Letting menopause symptoms go untreated can negatively impact your quality of life. The good news is that effective relief is available.
Some benefits of menopause treatment include:
Starting treatment early in perimenopause can ease the transition process.
There are three main types of treatment for managing menopause symptoms:
Your menopause hormone specialist will create a customized treatment plan based on your needs and health history.
Hormone therapy (HT), also known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT, is the main medical treatment for menopause symptoms. HT restores estrogen and progesterone to normal premenopausal levels. There are two main types of HT:
HT is available in various forms like pills, skin patches, gels, rings, and implants. Your menopause practitioner will explain the options to determine what's best for you.
When started early in menopause, HT is highly effective and safe for most women. Treatment is tailored to your needs with the minimal dose and time frame required.
When it comes to highly personalized menopause treatment in Keller, Vitality Balance Clinic is the leading choice. Our clinic specializes in precision medicine for perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.
Key reasons to choose Vitality Balance Clinic:
We truly understand the life changes involved with menopause and are passionate about helping women thrive.
The Vitality Balance Clinic clinic is directed under top board certified menopause practitioner Dr. Jane Wells. With over 15 years in women's hormonal health, Dr. Wells leads an expert team of nurses, medical assistants, and patient care coordinators.
Patients receive caring one-on-one attention for a smooth and positive experience. We welcome you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wells to discuss your menopause concerns and solutions.
While hormone therapy relieves many unpleasant symptoms during menopause, making positive lifestyle choices provides critical whole body wellness support.
Consider adding more of the following into your daily routine:
Exercise
Nutritious Diet
Stress Relief
Social Support
The Keller area offers wonderful wellness amenities to support women through menopause. Nearby options include:
Connecting with nature, staying active, pursuing hobbies, and finding community can make a major difference through menopause changes.
While hormone therapy is commonly used to treat menopause symptoms, research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy focusing on changing thought patterns around aging can be just as effective for some women. This talk therapy helps women challenge assumptions about menopause and build coping skills, providing relief without medication side effects.
You likely have many important questions regarding menopause. Here we answer some of the most common ones:
Menopause happens due to natural aging of the ovaries which contain your egg supply. As the supply declines and reaches a critically low threshold, menstrual cycles stop and hormone production substantially decreases. Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to this point.
The menopausal transition typically unfolds over 4-5 years. Perimenopause irregularities can begin 8-10 years before your final period. After reaching 12 months with no period, a woman is considered to be finished with menopause. However, some symptoms may linger for years into postmenopause. Proper treatment brings relief.
Irregular periods are usually the first noticeable sign. You may experience heavier flows, skipped periods, or changes in length. Mood changes, trouble sleeping, and occasional hot flashes are other common early signals. Perimenopause develops slowly so be attentive to differences.
Yes, it’s common to begin having symptoms in your 40s as you enter perimenopause. About 25% of women see changes even earlier in their late 30s. The duration and intensity increases approaching menopause in your early 50s for most.
Leaving symptoms unchecked not only leads to frustration and discomfort, but poses long term health risks. Hot flashes and night sweats take a toll over time. Vaginal atrophy can progress leading to painful intercourse. Bone loss accelerates during menopause increasing osteoporosis and fracture risk without early treatment. Prioritizing treatment leads to the best quality of life.
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