Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life when her period stops permanently and she no longer ovulates or produces significant levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. On average, women reach menopause around the age of 51, but it can happen earlier or later.
During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal changes often cause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and more. These symptoms vary from mild to severe and can last for years. Hormone therapy can provide relief.
The most common signs and symptoms of menopause include:
Other symptoms like hair loss, weight gain, urinary issues, and more can also occur during the menopause transition. The wide variety of symptoms makes customized treatment important.
In addition to bothersome symptoms, lowered estrogen after menopause increases a woman's risk for certain health conditions over time, including:
The good news is that hormone therapy (HT) can help mitigate these health risks when started early in menopause. Keeping estrogen levels consistent with HT optimizes bone, heart, and urogenital health.
The most immediate benefit of hormone therapy is relief of disruptive menopausal symptoms that impair quality of life, such as:
Studies show low-dose estrogen/progestin therapy reduces hot flash frequency and severity by up to 90%. For women with moderate to severe hot flashes who cannot obtain relief from lifestyle changes, HT can be life-changing.
Estrogen therapy markedly improves vaginal cell growth and moisture. For painful intercourse due to vaginal atrophy, local estrogen creams or inserts can restore comfort. Systemic oral HT also helps significantly.
In addition to symptom relief, starting HT early in menopause has protective effects against the development of long-term health risks like osteoporosis and heart disease.
Bone health: Several large studies found HT initiated within 6 years of menopause, before significant bone loss, reduces fractures by 30-40%. HT preserves bone mineral density to a greater degree than bisphosphonates.
Heart health: Younger women who start HT close to menopause tend to have a lower risk for cardiovascular disease compared to non-users. ET in particular shows favorable heart effects.
Brain health: Observational studies indicate HT may reduce risk for dementia and cognitive decline when started early. Randomized trials did not show brain protection, but the average participant age was over 65.
The Vital Hormones Clinic Menopause Center provides comprehensive hormone therapy to help women in Seguin thrive through the menopause transition and beyond. Our compassionate doctors specializing in menopause offer evidence-based treatment to relieve symptoms and promote long-lasting health.
What sets Vital Hormones Clinic apart:
Our endocrinologist specializing in menopause has advanced hormonal expertise to handle complex cases. Let us help you thrive!
Vital Hormones Clinic menopause specialists provide compassionate, evidence-based care grounded in the latest scientific research. Our best menopause specialist is:
Dr. Erika Smith - With over 15 years' experience with hormonal issues, Dr. Smith leads our menopause center. She stays current on the latest studies and treatment approaches to optimally guide patients through this transition. Dr. Smith is a member of the Endocrine Society and the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
The first step is a thorough evaluation of your menopause symptoms, medical history, and health goals. This comprehensive assessment allows us to offer customized recommendations to help you feel your best.
We check the following hormone levels as an objective baseline:
Other relevant tests check blood counts, cholesterol, blood sugar control, thyroid function, and more based on your needs. We retest hormones periodically to ensure optimal dosing.
Many women going through menopause find relief from symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings through cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT helps women identify and change negative thought patterns related to menopause, improving their ability to cope with this transition.
The main goal of hormone therapy is stabilizing hormone levels to eliminate deficiency and reduce symptoms/health risks. We offer both systemic and local vaginal estrogen options.
Since estrogen deficiency drives menopausal problems, estrogen replacement is the foundation of therapy. Systemic estrogen therapy options:
Estrogen mitigates hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal atrophy, bone loss, urinary issues, and heart disease risk. Most women also report improved sleep, energy, mental clarity and mood on estrogen.
Women with an intact uterus need progestogen to prevent uterine cancer from unopposed estrogen. Combination therapy choices:
We individualize combination regimens based on patient factors like age, uterus status, cancer risk, and preference.
Testosterone plays an important role in sexual health, energy, cognition, and overall vitality. We offer testosterone therapy - delivered via patch, topical gel or pellets - when indicated to enhance hormone therapy results.
For genitourinary symptoms only like vaginal dryness and pain, localized low-dose estrogen effectively treats atrophy without systemic absorption. Options include:
We often incorporate both systemic and vaginal estrogen for optimal relief.
We provide comprehensive lifestyle guidance to complement hormone therapy for full menopause support, including:
Eating a varied, nutrient-dense diet supports healthy aging. We offer individualized nutrition plans and recommend:
Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D also promotes strong bones later in life.
Regular physical activity keeps bones strong, heart healthy, and body resilient. Our providers suggest:
We provide personalized fitness prescriptions and refer patients to local trainers, yoga studios, walking groups and more based on individual needs and preferences. The Seguin Fitness Center offers special menopause exercise programs.
Managing life's pressures can help stabilize mood, improve sleep quality, and boost energy. We teach healthy coping techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness. The peaceful atmosphere in Seguin, with plentiful walking trails, parks, and waterfront access facilitates relaxation during this transition.
The perimenopause and early postmenopause period offers a critical window for early intervention to prevent symptomatic hormone deficiency and associated health decline.
Key reasons to seek timely menopause treatment:
Our doctors can detect subtle hormonal changes years before the final menstrual period through lab testing and evaluation of emerging symptoms. This allows us to introduce therapy to gently smooth out the transition process.
Symptoms and bone/heart health risks continue progressing the longer hormone levels decline untreated. We encourage women not to delay.
Modern, lower HT dosing schemes make treatment safer than ever. The risks demonstrated in older studies came from starting therapy years after menopause in older women using higher doses.
Current evidence confirms hormone therapy has a favorable benefit vs. risk ratio when initiated:
Our clinicians remain vigilant for potential side effects through ongoing monitoring. We also reassess the continuing need for HT periodically as women age.
We partner with the following establishments to make hormone testing, fitness, relaxation and all aspects of therapy convenient:
We also have an online portal to easily message your Vital Hormones Clinic provider with any therapy questions in between visits.
If you are experiencing early menopause or perimenopause symptoms, don't wait. Our compassionate doctors specializing in menopause and best menopause specialist offer personalized care grounded in scientific evidence, safety practices and the latest treatment options. We consider all aspects of wellbeing to guide you through this transition toward renewed energy, comfort and vibrance!
