Menopause is a natural transition that every woman experiences as she reaches midlife. The term "menopause" refers to the point in time when a woman has gone 12 full months without a menstrual period. It signals that the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and producing hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
On average, most women go through menopause around age 51. But it can occur earlier or later, between the ages of 40 and 58. Leading up to menopause is a phase called perimenopause, which can begin up to 10 years beforehand. This is when levels of estrogen start to fluctuate and decline.
With these hormonal shifts come a variety of possible symptoms, including:
The severity of symptoms varies significantly from woman to woman. Those with early or premature menopause caused by surgery, chemotherapy, or other factors tend to have more significant symptoms. Lifestyle choices like diet, exercise level, and stress management play a role too.
The expert physicians at Balance Hormone Center understand that every woman's experience with menopause is unique. After a thorough evaluation, your provider will work with you to create a customized treatment plan designed to ease your specific symptoms.
One of the most effective treatment options is hormone therapy, which involves carefully adjusted doses of estrogen and often progesterone to restore hormone levels. There are several forms of estrogen and progesterone, so your doctor can find the optimal regimen for your needs.
Possible routes of hormone administration include:
In addition to hormone therapy, other treatment options may include:
For optimal safety, hormone therapy is generally used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time needed to manage symptoms. Your Balance Hormone Center provider will closely monitor your progress to adjust the approach over time for maximum benefit and minimal risk.
It's important not to ignore the signs of menopause and wait for symptoms to potentially worsen over time. The sooner you reach out to the caring professionals at Balance Hormone Center, the more swiftly you can find relief.
Prompt evaluation is key, because certain medical conditions like thyroid disease and iron deficiency anemia can cause similar symptoms. Your doctor will order appropriate lab tests to check hormone levels and rule out other issues.
Once properly diagnosed, beginning appropriate treatment helps ensure you continue enjoying a full and active life. With individualized therapy, most women find significant improvement in disruptive menopause symptoms within a few months.
The compassionate providers at Balance Hormone Center are dedicated to guiding women through the menopause transition with grace. Our clinic provides a warm, supportive environment where your concerns are truly heard and addressed.
Chandler's sunny, dry climate makes it a comfortable place to live and thrive during menopause. The area offers wonderful amenities like outdoor walking trails, yoga studios, healthy cafes, and peaceful spas to support self-care.
When you're ready to explore your options for managing menopause symptoms, call Balance Hormone Center today to schedule a consultation. We're here to listen and craft an individualized plan to help you feel like yourself again.
Acupuncture is gaining popularity as an effective complementary therapy for managing menopause symptoms. Small studies show it can help reduce hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and depression. Acupuncture may work by stimulating nerve pathways that lead to the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate body temperature and mood. While more research is still needed, acupuncture offers a drug-free option to provide relief during this transition.
