Menopause treatment - Human Antiaging Center

Introduction

Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transition time can last up to 10 years as hormone levels fluctuate and decline.

The hormonal changes of menopause can lead to a variety of symptoms that affect quality of life. While some women may not experience severe symptoms, others deal with issues like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and more. Fortunately, there are safe and effective menopause treatment options available to help manage symptoms.

At Human Antiaging Center, we specialize in individualized menopause hormone therapy to help women thrive through midlife and beyond. In this guide, we'll discuss the basics of menopause treatment including:

Signs and Symptoms of Menopause

The hallmark sign of menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. However, there are many other symptoms that can develop as estrogen levels decline. These include:

• Hot flashes - Sudden feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest that can cause sweating and flushing. Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause, experienced by up to 80% of women.
• Vaginal dryness - Declining estrogen causes thinning and dryness of vaginal tissues. This can lead to discomfort with sexual activity.
• Sleep disturbances - Hot flashes and night sweats often disrupt sleep. Some women also experience insomnia.
• Mood changes - Fluctuating hormones can trigger mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression.
• Other symptoms - Fatigue, memory issues, weight gain, slowed metabolism, thinning hair, dry skin, and urinary symptoms may also occur during menopause.

Symptoms vary widely among women. While some may experience mild issues, around 20-30% have more severe symptoms that disrupt daily life. Getting an accurate diagnosis and timely menopause treatment can help manage troublesome symptoms.

Diagnosing Menopause

To diagnose menopause, physicians will typically:

• Review menstrual history and look for 12 months of amenorrhea (lack of periods)
• Rule out other conditions like pregnancy, thyroid disorders, or premature ovarian failure
• Check hormone levels - blood tests can measure FSH, estradiol, and AMH to confirm menopause
• Evaluate symptoms - rating scales like the Menopause Rating Scale can assess severity

Proper testing and diagnosis is key before starting any menopause hormone therapy. Safety monitoring includes regular breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams, and bone density scans for those at high risk of osteoporosis.

Menopause Treatment Options

The main goal of treatment is relieving troublesome symptoms to improve quality of life. Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, stress management, and avoiding triggers can help. For moderate to severe symptoms, hormone therapy is often recommended. This can include:

Estrogen Therapy

• Estrogen tablets, patches, gels, creams, rings, or sprays
• Mainly used for hot flash relief
• Carries some health risks like blood clots, if used long term

Progestin Therapy

• Progestin pills, shots, IUDs
• Protects the uterus from estrogen therapy
• Can help reduce heavy bleeding

Combined Hormone Therapy

• Estrogen combined with progestin
• Most common type of hormone therapy
• Improves hot flashes, vaginal dryness, bone loss
• Increased risk of blood clots, strokes, heart disease

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

• Uses hormones identical to those naturally made by the body
• Custom compounded based on a woman's needs
• May provide symptom relief with fewer side effects

Our clinicians at Human Antiaging Center specialize in bioidentical hormone therapy to tailor treatment for each unique woman. We monitor hormone levels and safety to provide the lowest effective dosing.

Hormone Testing is Critical

Getting the right hormone balance is key for effectively managing menopausal symptoms while minimizing risks. Comprehensive testing allows us to see a full hormonal picture. We recommend:

• Estradiol - tracks estrogen status
• FSH and LH - monitors ovarian function
• Testosterone - contributes to energy, libido, bone health
• Thyroid hormones TSH, T4, T3 - rule out thyroid disorders
• Cortisol - checks adrenal gland function and stress response
• Vitamin D - assesses bone health and immunity

At Human Antiaging Center, we offer advanced Dutch hormone testing to uncover subtle imbalances that may impact menopause symptoms. Our clinicians can detect declining hormones years before deficiencies occur.

Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones made by the body. This allows them to:

• Bind perfectly with hormone receptors to optimize activity
• Get metabolized and cleared by the body naturally
• Mimic the body's normal feedback mechanisms
• Reduce risk of side effects compared to synthetic hormones

Our individualized bioidentical hormone therapy provides:

• Relief of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms
• Restored energy levels, sleep quality, and sense of wellbeing
• Improved sexual function and intimacy
• Enhanced mood, memory, and emotional health
• Reduced risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures
• Delayed onset of age-related diseases
• Healthier aging, longevity, and quality of life

Lifestyle Recommendations

We advise women to make these lifestyle adjustments to get the most out of hormone therapy:

• Add physical activity - Exercise helps manage weight, boosts mood, and prevents bone loss. Aim for 30 minutes per day of moderate activity.
• Focus on nutrition - Eat a balanced diet high in plants and lean protein. Avoid excess sugars, refined carbs, and alcohol. Stay hydrated.
• Reduce stress - Try yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness. Get adequate rest and social support.
• Limit tobacco - Smoking worsens menopausal symptoms. Quitting provides major health benefits.
• Use vaginal moisturizers/lubricants - Help relieve vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex.

At Human Antiaging Center, your individualized care plan will include lifestyle recommendations tailored just for you. Our goal is helping you achieve optimal wellness during midlife and beyond.

The Human Antiaging Center Difference

Our clinic specializes in personalized care for women throughout perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. We provide:

• Advanced testing to uncover hormonal imbalances
• Custom compounded, bioidentical hormone therapy
• Lifestyle optimization for nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction
• Ongoing monitoring for safety and symptom relief
• Evidence-based protocols to enhance quality of life
• Compassionate care from our women's health experts

Contact us today to schedule your consultation. Our physicians and nurses are here to listen and craft a treatment plan to help you thrive.