Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through, marking the end of the reproductive years. The hallmark sign is when menstrual periods stop for 12 consecutive months. Perimenopause refers to the transitional stage leading up to menopause, which can last for several years.
During this time, women may experience various symptoms as a result of declining estrogen levels. Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, irritability, and mood changes are some of the most common complaints. Over the long-term, the loss of estrogen due to menopause can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease.
Hormone therapy (HT) can provide relief for bothersome symptoms and help prevent long-term health issues. At Butterfly Hormone Center in Saint Johns, we specialize in customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help women transition through menopause smoothly. Keep reading to learn more about our services.
The onset of menopause is different for every woman, but generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. As mentioned above, irregular periods are typically one of the first signs. Some of the other key symptoms include:
Hot flashes are sudden sensations of intense warmth in the upper body, sometimes accompanied by profuse sweating and flushing of the skin. These uncomfortable episodes can last from 30 seconds up to several minutes. Night sweats are hot flashes occurring at night, often disrupting sleep.
Declining estrogen affects tissues throughout the body including the urethra, vulva, and vagina. This can cause inflammation, thinning, dryness, and shrinking of these tissues resulting in painful sexual intercourse, vaginal itching, burning, irritation, and painful urination. Urinary tract infections also become more prevalent after menopause.
Mood changes, like anxiety, irritability, sadness, fatigue, trouble focusing, and memory problems are common during the transition. Sleep disturbances such as insomnia have also been linked to menopause. For some women, this can significantly impact quality of life and personal relationships.
Studies show that estrogen plays an important role in regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which influence our moods. Fluctuating and dropping estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause is thought to cause chemical imbalances in the brain leading to psychological symptoms.
Some women also develop other issues like hair thinning and dryness, weight gain centered around the midsection, joint pain, heart palpitations, headaches, and gum sensitivity. Osteoporosis is another long-term concern, as estrogen helps maintain strong and healthy bones.
Many women try to tough it out during menopause without treatment. However, leaving troublesome symptoms unchecked can negatively impact physical health and quality of life. Some key reasons to consider treatment include:
The good news is that women don't have to needlessly suffer through menopause thanks to safe and effective hormone therapy options. Custom-balanced bioidentical hormones can restore hormone levels back to optimal ranges to eliminate troublesome symptoms and safeguard future health.
At Butterfly Hormone Center, we specialize exclusively in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to address all stages of hormone imbalance from perimenopause through post-menopause. Our compassionate practitioners have advanced training in age management medicine with expertise in customizing treatment plans tailored to each woman’s unique needs and health goals.
What sets us apart is our comprehensive approach focused on supporting patients physically and emotionally during this transitional time through:
After thoroughly evaluating hormone levels and assessing symptoms, we develop personalized hormone therapy programs using bioidentical hormones carefully dosed to match what the body needs. Follow-up testing allows for continued adjustment as needs evolve.
In addition to monitoring hormone blood levels, we utilize advanced diagnostic testing like genetic testing, micronutrient testing, and adrenal stress indexes when warranted to uncover underlying issues contributing to hormone imbalance. This facilitates more precise treatment.
Lifestyle modifications can also significantly impact hormone balance and menopause symptoms. Our practitioners provide nutritional and fitness counseling, supplement recommendations, stress reduction techniques, and referrals to our network of dietitians, personal trainers, acupuncturists, and mental health professionals when appropriate.
We recognize that menopause can be an emotionally challenging transition for many women. That’s why our staff strives to provide exceptional one-on-one support at every stage–listening, validating concerns, answering questions, and offering reassurance. Telehealth appointments also make care more convenient.
With individualized therapy from a leading menopause specialist, relief from disruptive symptoms is within reach so you can feel like your best self again.
Studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as effective as hormone therapy in reducing hot flashes and improving mood and sleep quality for menopausal women. CBT helps women change their perception of menopausal symptoms and develop coping strategies, providing a drug-free alternative for managing this transition.
Bioidentical hormones are compounds that are structurally identical to the hormones naturally made in the human body. This allows them to bind to receptors and mimic the action of our innate hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
The bioidentical hormones we prescribe are derived from plant sources and custom-formulated in a compounding pharmacy to match the unique hormone profile and dosing needs of each individual patient. Brand name, one-size-fits-all hormone drugs fail to offer this personalized approach.
There are two main stages to initiating customized hormone therapy:
1. Comprehensive Lab Testing and Diagnostic Evaluation
In addition to screening for hormonal imbalances with blood and/or salivary tests, we assess contributing factors like:
2. Tailored Treatment Plan
Based on test results and a thorough review of your symptoms and health history, our practitioners design an individualized program that may include:
Follow-up testing allows us to continually adjust and optimize therapy over time to keep hormones balanced.
There are three main types of bioidentical estrogen:
At Butterfly Hormone Center, we utilize estradiol in lowest effective dosing in custom preparations like:
Pellet implants placed under the skin that release estrogen over several months are another option we offer.
Estrogen and progesterone work synergistically together to regulate the menstrual cycle during reproductive years. Normally progesterone balances and opposes estrogen’s action in the body.
However, the corpus luteum producing progesterone in the ovaries declines with menopause leading to unopposed estrogen dominance. This is linked to increased cancer and blood clotting risk from traditional hormone replacement.
That's why progesterone therapy is key for endometrial protection if a woman still has a uterus. We provide bioidentical progesterone in forms like oral capsules, topical creams, vaginal suppositories, and more to complement estrogen treatment.
Some women worry about potential health risks from hormone therapy. However, scientific data supports bioidentical hormones as a safer option compared to old-style synthetic hormone replacement associated with problems like stroke and heart attack.
Unlike manufactured hormones, bioidenticals are natural, plant-based compounds identical to the hormones made in the female body. This allows them to bind properly to hormone receptors and mimic normal function. Synthetic progestins lack this selectivity often causing undesirable effects.
Of course, as with any medication, there are some possible side effects from bioidenticals to consider: - Breakthrough bleeding - Breast tenderness - Fluid retention - Headache, nausea
These effects tend to resolve quickly once hormone levels stabilize. Our doctors continually monitor patients and adjust dosing to maximize benefits and minimize adverse reactions.
Close monitoring and routine testing are key to successful long-lasting benefits from hormone therapy. Symptoms provide helpful feedback, but hormonal blood levels allow us to objectively gauge progress and tweak the treatment regimen to keep hormones balanced.
We generally recommend rechecking levels about 6 weeks after initiating or changing therapy, then every 4-6 months ongoing. Additional periodic evaluation may include:
This meticulous oversight ensures optimal response and safe administration without over-treatment. Patients enjoy ongoing one-on-one guidance from our staff of hormone specialists.
In addition to customized hormone therapy from our clinic, taking advantage of certain establishments and services in the Saint Johns area can further aid the transition through menopause:
This facility specializes in therapeutic massage, acupuncture, yoga therapy, meditation training, and other services to help manage stress and promote relaxation. As discussed previously, supporting emotional health is key during hormonal changes.
This nutrition consulting firm provides individualized eating plans and healthy food coaching to help achieve goals like balanced hormones, higher energy, stable mood and mental sharpness, weight management, and optimized wellness during menopause.
Regular exercise is hugely beneficial for reducing menopause symptoms like hot flashes while also preventing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis amplified by hormonal decline. Orangetheory offers high-intensity interval training classes combining cardio and strength training for maximum metabolic burn and afterburn effects. Group classes provide accountability and support.
In Conclusion
We hope this overview has shined a helpful spotlight on menopause, from common symptoms to customized treatment options available. Hormonal changes do not have to equate to suffering – with properly balanced bioidentical hormone therapy under a specialist’s guidance, solutions are readily available.
Here at Butterfly Hormone Center in Saint Johns, supporting women through midlife hormonal transitions with expert care is our passion and mission. We offer a comprehensive array of testing and tailor-made prescription therapies so you can find real relief and reclaim your zest for life.
To learn more or schedule your initial evaluation, visit our website or give us a call today. We look forward to helping guide you through this change to emerge healthier and happier on the other side!
