The onset of menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. The average age for menopause is 51, but it can start earlier or later. As estrogen levels begin to decline in the years leading up to menopause (known as perimenopause), many women experience symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and more.
Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period. The years surrounding this milestone can be challenging to navigate due to fluctuating hormones. Proper education and support can make all the difference.
Hot flashes and night sweats are hallmark menopausal symptoms. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of intense warmth and sweating that may only last a few minutes. Night sweats occur at night and can disrupt sleep. These symptoms are tied to declining estrogen. Hormone therapy can provide relief.
Many women report changes in mood - like irritability, anxiety, or sadness - as they transition through menopause. Sleep is also frequently impacted. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone help regulate mood and sleep-wake cycles, so decreases can lead to issues.
Lower estrogen after menopause commonly causes vaginal dryness, thinning, and inflammation. This can make sex painful. Over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers can temporarily help ease discomfort. However, prescription vaginal estrogen treatment is the most effective option long-term.
Some other menopause symptoms tied to hormonal fluctuations include:
The various symptoms associated with menopause can significantly impact one's quality of life. While some women have mild issues that come and go, others deal with moderate to severe, persistent symptoms.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can provide relief by replacing estrogen and often progesterone to shore up hormone levels. Benefits include:
The key is finding the lowest dose and method that effectively manages symptoms long-term with fewest risks. Work with an experienced hormone therapy specialist to explore options.
Many women notice substantial symptom improvement soon after starting HRT. Sticking with treatment long term is encouraged because stopping tends to result in recurrence of menopause symptoms. HRT can be used short or long term depending on one’s needs.
Estrogen plays an important role in bone remodeling and health. During menopause, declining estrogen accelerates bone loss. This leads many women to develop osteoporosis later in life, increasing fracture risk.
HRT helps slow bone loss after menopause. It is very effective at maintaining bone mineral density. Starting hormone therapy soon after menopause provides the best protection against osteoporosis. However, benefits have been seen even when beginning years later.
There is no “one size fits all” approach to menopause management. Treatment must be tailored to the individual based on symptoms, medical history, risk factors, preferences, and hormone test results.
Baseline blood and saliva testing is always recommended before starting therapy. Follow up testing helps ensure proper hormone dosing. We monitor testosterone levels as well because balancing this hormone is also important.
At Balance Hormone Clinic, all testing and treatments are overseen by our experienced medical director, who works closely with each woman to develop a personalized care plan. We use cutting edge testing and only highest quality bioidentical hormones and medications.
Treatment options we offer include:
Systemic estrogen, meaning estrogen that circulates throughout the body, is the most effective treatment for relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. We use top quality, customized compounded estrogen in physiological doses tailored to the individual.
Systemic estrogen therapy options we offer based on the patient’s needs include:
Vaginal dryness and discomfort require direct treatment with localized vaginal estrogen. We offer customized prescription vaginal estrogen creams, inserts, or tablets. These help restore moisture, improve elasticity, soothe inflammation, and normalize pH.
Localized vaginal estrogen relieves symptoms effectively while minimizing systemic absorption. When vaginal symptoms are the main menopausal complaint, this may be the only treatment needed.
If the uterus is still intact, systemic estrogen therapy requires the addition of progesterone to prevent overgrowth of the uterine lining. Bioidentical progesterone can be prescribed in capsule form or as a custom cream.
Progesterone helps balance estrogen’s effects on the body. It is essential for stabilizing mood, promoting restful sleep, maintaining bone health, and more. Like estrogen, we use a personalized approach and optimally dosed progesterone tailored to the individual’s needs at the lowest effective levels.
Testosterone is not exclusively a “male” hormone. Women also need testosterone for optimal energy, mood, bone and muscle health, urogenital support, and general wellbeing.
Low testosterone is common during the menopausal transition and after menopause. Carefully-dosed testosterone therapy can provide tremendous benefits under the guidance of a skilled hormone specialist. Options include custom topical gels/creams, sublingual drops, or pellet implants.
In addition to hormone optimization, we address other factors for whole person care. Diet/nutrition support, supplements, stress management techniques, fitness guidance, sexual health counseling, compounding pharmacies, mental health referrals, and more are covered as indicated for each woman.
Telemedicine services are available for those who don't live close or prefer virtual visits. We also collaborate with the patient’s other providers for seamless care coordination.
At Balance Hormone Clinic in Warrenton, we serve as trusted guides throughout each woman’s menopause journey and beyond. Our goal is helping patients regain vibrancy, improve quality of life, slow aging, enhance health, and optimize wellbeing during midlife and the decades ahead.
Our board-certified medical director has over 15 years' experience using cutting edge, integrative therapies to treat hormone imbalances and promote longevity, vitality and wellness. Ongoing education is priority, so we offer the most advanced, evidence-based care.
We serve women and men seeking hormone optimization, age management, and wellness services. Individualized testing, assessments, treatments and support are provided for issues like:
We get to know each patient, listening carefully to understand their unique needs and challenges. Cutting edge testing and assessments inform diagnosis and guide customized treatment plans. We help patients learn what optimal wellness means for them individually, then offer tools and ongoing support to reach their goals.
For those unable to attend our Warrenton clinic location, telemedicine services provide convenient access to our expertise. Initial and follow up visits can take place seamlessly via phone or video connection.
While we use advanced hormone testing and bioidentical hormone therapies at the core of treatment, we don’t stop there. A holistic, integrative approach addresses the multidimensional aspects of health and aging.
First class care also incorporates:
We guide and support you through the aging process, helping to uphold optimal wellness and quality of life. Contact Balance Hormone Clinic in Warrenton today to learn more and schedule your first appointment.
Here is a 55-word interesting, unexpected and not well-known real fact about menopause treatment: A little-known natural remedy that can help relieve hot flashes and night sweats is taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements derived from plants. Multiple studies have shown plant-based omega-3s can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms without side effects.
