Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they reach middle age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause and can start 8-10 years before menopause when hormone levels begin fluctuating irregularly.
The average age for menopause in the United States is 51, but it can occur anytime between 40-55. During this transition, women experience changes caused by shifting hormone levels, primarily estrogen and progesterone. Some women breeze through menopause with minimal discomfort, while others deal with moderate to severe symptoms lasting years.
Key changes leading up to and continuing after menopause include:
While menopause is inevitable, women today have more options than past generations to minimize symptoms and associated health risks. Hormone therapy can provide safe, effective relief when tailored to each woman’s needs by a qualified menopause specialist.
The fluctuation and eventual decline of reproductive hormones during perimenopause and menopause has widespread impacts on a woman’s body. Estrogen and progesterone affect everything from bone health to heart function, skin elasticity, libido, and more.
When these hormones drop out of balance, women may experience:
Restoring balance through hormone therapy can help minimize risks across all these areas of health. Treatment is especially critical the earlier imbalance occurs to halt progressive issues like osteoporosis.
Today’s bioidentical hormones are plant-based, completely identical to what the body produces naturally. they are metabolized and utilized the same way with minimal side effects compared to older, synthetic options.
Balancing hormones also alleviates uncomfortable menopause symptoms so women can continue enjoying life to the fullest. No one should suffer through hot flashes, sleepless nights, vaginal pain, and mood swings year after year.
Treating the underlying hormone imbalance improves quality of life in the present while safeguarding health for the future.
Wellness Hormone Clinic specializes in natural bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) to effectively treat menopause symptoms and promote long-lasting health in Marianna women.
Our compassionate practitioners take the time to understand your unique situation and needs. We craft fully customized treatment plans utilizing BHRT via creams, pellets or injections along with holistic lifestyle adjustments to help you feel your best now and as you continue aging.
We also provide advanced testing to accurately identify hormone imbalances and ensure proper dosage for results. Follow-up tests provide insight on how your body responds so protocols can be calibrated perfectly over time.
Women in the Marianna area can trust Wellness Hormone Clinic for five-star care through all stages of menopause, from early perimenopause through post-menopause. Contact us for a consult with one of our board-certified hormone specialists to discuss your symptoms and health goals.
Menopause symptoms vary widely among women due to differences in health, genetics, attitude, diet, lifestyle and more. Changes typically develop over months and years, not overnight. Tracking symptoms helps identify when hormone imbalance becomes significant enough to consider treatment.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes rank among the most well-known menopause symptoms. They reflect declining estrogen levels and can occur daily or occasionally, lasting from 30 seconds to over 5 minutes. Hot flashes often start in the chest area as flushing or reddening skin that spreads upward and outward. Night sweats are classified as severe hot flashes happening during sleep.
Vaginal Changes
As estrogen production declines, tissues in the vulvovaginal area lose elasticity and lubrication. Many women experience vaginal dryness, irritation, itching, inflammation or pain. Discomfort may increase during sex or physical activities. Thinning tissue leads to increased urinary tract infections (UTIs) for some women.
Up to 60% of menopausal women suffer sleep problems ranging from insomnia to frequent waking. The exact cause is unclear but likely involves night sweats along with hormonal impact to sleep cycles. Lack of quality sleep exacerbates other menopause issues like fatigue, moodiness and mental fogginess.
Weight Gain
Around 90% percent of women gain weight during menopause, particularly in the abdomen. Several factors contribute including a slower metabolism from dropping estrogen. Stress levels, diet, a tendency toward inactivity and insulin resistance also add pounds.
Emotional Changes
Menopause hormone fluctuations commonly trigger changes like anxiety, sadness, irritability, panic attacks, mood swings, anger, trouble focusing and lack of motivation. The severity ranges widely. Underlying factors like life stressors, history of depression or lack of social support increase susceptibility.
Hair Thinning
Thinning hair before age 50 raises red flags for perimenopause transition. Like skin and other tissues, hair follicles need proper hormone balance to stay lush and healthy. Genetics dictate if hair thins all over the scalp or in specific areas. Excess shedding leads to wider parts and sometimes patchy bald spots.
Studies indicate at least half of postmenopausal women deal with increasing joint discomfort and stiffness, especially in the neck, shoulders, back, fingers and knees. Bone and cartilage breakdown may accelerate as estrogen decline allows inflammation pathways to dominate. Those with autoimmune arthritis face higher risks for worsening pain.
Menopause is a clinical diagnosis based on cessation of menstrual periods for 12 straight months not due to other causes. Since periods often become erratic for years beforehand, tracking symptoms provides helpful clues about shifting hormone balance.
Lab tests help confirm menopause and identify any contributors to symptoms such as thyroid imbalance, anemia, insomnia, stress hormones and more. Testing key hormones along the menopause transition includes:
Tracking symptoms and hormones over multiple years provides the full picture about menopause progression and indicated treatment timing. We offer advanced hormone testing at Wellness Hormone Clinic to identify deficits.
Studies show that practicing yoga can help ease many menopausal symptoms. Specific poses that twist, stretch and invert the body may help regulate hormones, improve circulation, relieve anxiety and make it easier to fall asleep. Yoga's mindfulness component also helps women manage hot flashes and mood swings during this transition.
Bioidentical hormones offer the safest, most natural option for treating menopause symptoms and protecting long-term health. They are identical on a molecular level to what the ovaries produce prior to menopause. The body recognizes and utilizes bioidentical hormones exactly the same as naturally made ones with minimal risk of side effects.
Multiple high quality studies demonstrate bioidentical hormones effectively treat issues like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, vaginal pain and arousal issues when dosed properly. They also counteract increased risks for osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes associated with menopause hormone changes.
Delivery methods for bioidentical hormone therapy include:
Creams allow for simple adjustment of doses based on continuing lab testing and symptom tracking. Pellets are convenient, providing steady hormone levels without daily application. Wellness Hormone Clinic providers consider your lifestyle, preferences and changing needs when recommending the optimal protocols.
We also address lifestyle factors including nutrition, exercise, stress management and environmental exposures as part of complete treatment plans. Small changes make a tremendous difference in finding relief from uncomfortable symptoms.
Wellness Hormone Clinic proudly serves the women of Marianna and surrounding communities with compassionate, evidence-based care throughout perimenopause and menopause into the postmenopausal years.
Our board-certified practitioners offer:
We understand the physical frustrations and emotional upheaval hormone changes can cause, robbing women of their zest for life. Our goal is restoring vibrancy, confidence and a positive outlook moving forward.
In addition to outstanding clinical care, Marianna offers:
Wellness Hormone Clinic wants every woman to thrive before, during and after menopause.
