Understanding Menopause and Its Symptoms
During perimenopause, estrogen levels become erratic, causing a variety of symptoms that often disrupt daily life. While some women sail through “the change” relatively unscathed, up to 80% have moderate to severe symptoms lasting over a decade.
Some common menopause symptoms include:
- Hot flashes - Sudden sensations of intense warmth in the face, neck, and chest that can cause sweating and flushing. These uncomfortable “power surges” are the most common complaint.
- Night sweats - Severe hot flashes occurring at night that drench sleepwear and sheets in sweat. This can cause sleep disruptions that lead to exhaustion.
- Vaginal dryness - Declining estrogen thins vaginal tissues and reduces lubrication, making intimacy painful. Irritation, itching, and urinary issues may also occur.
- Mood changes - Estrogen strongly influences serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels that control mood. Menopause can trigger anxiety, irritability, depression, and emotional sensitivity.
- Cognitive issues - “Brain fog” from fluctuating hormones causes forgetfulness, mental confusion, and difficulty focusing and learning. Sleep disruptions compound these problems.
- Weight gain - Shifting metabolism coupled with aging can trigger fat accumulation around the midsection. Muscle mass also diminishes.
- Joint pain - Lower estrogen means less protection against inflammation that causes aches and stiffness in joints and muscles. Osteoporosis risk rises as bone density decreases.
- Hair loss or thinning - Falling estrogen corresponds with hair follicles remaining dormant longer. This results in finer, weaker hair production.
Other issues like heart palpitations, headaches, loss of libido, and urinary incontinence may develop as well. The severity and duration varies significantly between individuals due to factors like genetics, lifestyle, and medical history.
Customized Treatment Plans for Menopause Symptom Relief
The providers at Balance Hormone Center in Elko understand how debilitating menopause symptoms can be for patients’ quality of life. After thorough testing and evaluation, they develop tailored treatment plans utilizing the latest medical therapies to help women feel like themselves again.
Some of the effective options include:
- Hormone therapy - Estrogen and progestogen supplements come in pills, patches, gels, sprays, implants, and rings. These replace depleted hormones to alleviate symptoms. Regimented cycles and dosing provide customization.
- Vaginal estrogen - Localized, low-dose estrogen in creams, tablets, or rings treats vaginal dryness and discomfort during intimacy without systemic effects.
- Bazedoxifene - This selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) uniquely relieves hot flashes without stimulating the uterus lining. It may also prevent osteoporosis.
- SSRIs - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine (Prozac) help improve mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
- Lifestyle adjustments - Recommendations like diet changes, exercise routines, hydration tips, and sleep hygiene techniques can substantially improve symptoms.
- Alternative medicine - Acupuncture, dietary supplements, cognitive behavioral therapy, and massage may also provide relief for some patients.
Balance Hormone Center providers stay current on the latest research and treatment guidelines to optimize therapy effectiveness and safety. They carefully monitor progress through follow-up appointments, lab tests, and patient feedback. Dosages and regimens are adjusted accordingly until optimal symptom control and quality of life are achieved.
The Benefits of Prompt Menopause Treatment
Despite safe and effective options being available for decades, only about 20% of menopausal women seek treatment for their symptoms. Many attempt to just “tough it out” and endure the changes. However, the consequences of letting menopause progress untreated often worsen over time.
Untreated hormone imbalance is linked to long-term risks like:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Osteoporosis and fractures
- Urinary incontinence
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Anxiety/depression
- Diminished quality of life
In addition to reducing these risks, promptly addressing menopausal symptoms can also help patients:
- Regain energy and improve mood
- Restore healthy sleep patterns
- Reclaim satisfying intimate relations
- Sharpen mental focus and cognition
- Avoid weight gain and muscle loss through improved metabolism
- Reduce aches, pains, and inflammation
- Normalize skin, hair, and vaginal health
- Reestablish urinary continence and health
- Boost self-esteem and emotional well-being
Don’t settle for needlessly suffering through menopause changes. The knowledgeable providers at Balance Hormone Center develop personalized treatment plans aimed at helping patients feel healthy and empowered as they transition through this next stage of life.
Interesting fact
Many women are unaware that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and mood changes. CBT helps women identify and change negative thought patterns that may be exacerbating their symptoms. Studies show CBT significantly decreases the frequency of hot flashes and improves mood and quality of life in menopausal women.
Menopause Treatment - Your Journey to Relief Begins at Balance Hormone Center
The first step for menopause treatment is scheduling an appointment with the caring providers at Balance Hormone Center. They will:
- Take a full health history to identify symptoms and assess risk factors
- Perform a physical exam to check for any issues like high blood pressure
- Order lab testing to accurately evaluate hormone levels
- Discuss treatment options and develop a customized therapy plan
- Provide recommendations on lifestyle adjustments that can help
- Answer all questions and address any concerns throughout the process
After treatment begins, patients follow up regularly so the medical team can:
- Evaluate progress and response to therapy
- Make dosage or regimen adjustments as needed
- Order repeat lab testing to ensure hormones are optimizing
- Monitor overall health including weight, blood pressure, and breast health
- Provide any needed prescriptions, supplements, or referrals
- Offer helpful advice on diet, exercise, stress management, and more
Balance Hormone Center' patient-centered approach focuses on restoring vibrancy and vigor to this new stage of patients’ lives. Their expertise guides the way to safe, effective solutions tailored to unique needs. Patients become empowered partners in their care.
If menopause symptoms are disrupting work, home life, or emotional well-being, the time for relief is now. Reach out to the compassionate providers at Balance Hormone Center to start feeling healthy and confident again.