The transition into menopause, often called perimenopause, starts for most women in their late 40s and early 50s. As the ovaries gradually make less of the key hormones estrogen and progesterone, common symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and mood changes can occur. These hormone changes also increase risks for certain health conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease.
Treating menopausal symptoms and optimizing long-term health is the focus of menopause treatment offered at our Vital Hormones Clinic hormone therapy clinic. We provide customized care including lifestyle recommendations as well as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tailored to your unique needs. Our holistic approach addresses the whole range of menopause concerns - physical, mental, and emotional.
Below we explore key topics around navigating menopause and hormone therapy at Vital Hormones Clinic:
The years leading up to and just after menopause can bring many changes that affect quality of life. Being informed about common symptoms and associated health risks is an important first step.
Up to 80% of women experience hot flashes and/or night sweats during perimenopause and menopause. These sudden feelings of intense warmth and sweating can range from mild to severe. They frequently disrupt sleep, with insomnia affecting an estimated 39-47% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
The hormones estrogen and progesterone influence more than just physical function - they play a key role regulating mood, memory, concentration, and thinking skills. Fluctuating and dropping levels during the menopause transition lead many women to experience symptoms like anxiety, irritability, depression, and problems with focus and recall.
Declining estrogen levels commonly cause tissues in the vagina and urethra to lose elasticity, moisture, and thickness. This vaginal atrophy leads to symptoms such as dryness, pain with intercourse, more frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), and urinary incontinence.
Lower hormone levels after menopause speed up bone loss, increasing the chance of developing osteoporosis. Having less estrogen is also linked to unhealthier cholesterol levels and higher inflammation leading to greater cardiovascular risks.
The right hormone therapy makes a big difference helping women manage troublesome symptoms and reduce health risks during the menopause transition and beyond. Our clinic takes a comprehensive approach looking at each woman as a whole.
We carefully evaluate your hormone levels, symptom profile, and medical history when designing a customized HRT plan. The latest bioidentical hormones can be dosed and delivered (oral, pill, cream, etc.) to fit your changing needs during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
Lifestyle factors like nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene directly impact hormone balance and menopause symptoms. Our clinicians offer practical tips tailored to your needs for achieving better health naturally alongside hormone therapy.
We reevaluate your hormone treatment plan and adjust dosing at follow-up visits based on symptom response and safety monitoring. HRT is often continued for years given its benefits defending against osteoporosis, heart disease, and other conditions.
Choosing the right hormone therapy provider ensures you access top expertise guiding safe, effective treatment for optimal wellbeing now and in the future. Here's how Vital Hormones Clinic delivers trusted menopause care:
Our clinic brings together Trenton's leading reproductive endocrinologists and nurses specially trained in menopause medicine. We stay current on the latest evidence and best practices for perimenopause through postmenopause hormone therapy.
We offer a warm, comfortable office setting for consultations and follow-ups along with an on-site state accredited lab for fast hormone testing. Treatment is tailored whether you're experiencing early perimenopause or years into postmenopause.
Beyond prescribing the right hormones, we educate women about lifestyle changes that best complement treatment. You receive caring support each step managing midlife hormone changes and wellness needs unique to you.
Why Timely Menopause Care Matters
Recognizing and treating the hormone shifts causing symptoms early on leads to better relief and health outcomes. We help women identify subtle changes sooner for more targeted management.
A surprising new menopause treatment is spearmint tea. Researchers have found that drinking two cups of spearmint tea per day can help relieve hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in some women due to naturally occurring compounds that may act like estrogens in the body. Spearmint offers a simple, inexpensive way to potentially find relief from menopause woes.
Supporting estrogen levels even during early perimenopause defends against emerging risks like bone loss and higher cholesterol. Staying ahead with preventative hormone therapy pays dividends lowering chances of osteoporosis, heart disease and other conditions later on.
Treating moderate to severe menopause symptoms can be more complicated. Starting care when symptoms are milder improves the chance of gaining complete relief with minimal medication adjustments.
Our dedicated menopause specialists offer a level of knowledge and experience beyond standard OBGYNs to help you navigate this major transition smoothly. We take the time providing personalized attention addressing all your midlife hormone health priorities.
Frequently Asked Menopause and Hormone Questions
Check some of the most common questions women have about menopause symptoms, timing, testing, risks, and treatment options:
What are the first signs of perimenopause I should watch for?
How do I know if symptoms mean I've reached menopause?
The changes leading up to menopause (perimenopause) can last 2-8 years or more. Menopause is only definitively marked once you haven't had your period at all for 12 straight months. Testing FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) levels alongside tracking symptoms for 6 months to a year or more helps identify transitions.
What health screenings are important at this stage?
I have moderate symptoms affecting my sleep and sex life - what treatment options should I consider?
The best first line option is tailored bioidentical hormone therapy to boost estrogen and often testosterone levels back to more optimal ranges easing symptoms. We offer both systemic pills/patches and very targeted low-dose vaginal creams. Adding mind-body therapies like mindfulness meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy is also very helpful addressing sleep and sexual health concerns.
What tests help diagnose menopause?
The most definitive lab test showing the onset of menopause is an elevated FSH or follicle stimulating hormone level indicating your ovaries are no longer releasing eggs each month. Testing your serum estradiol (estrogen) levels also provides key insights on menopausal changes. We offer in-house blood draws and fast lab testing guiding diagnosis and treatment plans.
How long is hormone therapy usually needed to manage menopause?
The average course of HRT is around 5 years but often longer as needed to relieve continuing symptoms and protect against midlife health risks like heart disease and osteoporosis. Hormone needs can change over time, so we monitor and adjust your treatment plan accordingly through the full menopause transition.
Recommended Lifestyle Habits for Better Menopause Health
Good self-care habits promote hormone balance and better address changes during the menopause transition:
Supportive Local Resources
We have strong partnerships with other trusted establishments in the Trenton area that complement our hormone therapy services:
Offers discounted self-pay blood tests for hormones, vitamin levels, cholesterol and other important health screenings.
A women's-only gym popular with members going through menopause for its variety of low impact classes, weight machines, and welcoming social atmosphere.
This local eatery and market sources excellent organic produce, quality proteins, and nutritious grab-and-go items for maintaining a hormone-friendly diet.
We hope this overview has provided a helpful orientation to menopause symptoms, risks, testing, treatments and lifestyle support available through our Vital Hormones Clinic clinic. Reach out today to schedule your initial consultation - we're here to guide you smoothly through this major transition!
