Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through, marking the end of the reproductive years. The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen anytime between the ages of 40-55.
As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and after menopause, women may experience various symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and more. Many women seek treatment to manage troublesome symptoms and optimize their health and quality of life during this transition.
Hormone therapy (HT), including estrogen alone or combined estrogen and progestin, is the most effective treatment option for relieving menopausal symptoms. When initiated early in menopause, HT also has benefits for bone and heart health. At Balance Hormone Clinic, we provide customized hormone therapy to help women thrive through menopause.
We take time to understand each woman's unique situation, symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and priorities. Then we develop an individualized treatment plan to meet her needs.
The goal is hormonal balance at optimal levels. We often use bioidentical hormones - made from plant sources and structurally identical to the hormones women's bodies produce naturally.
Proper nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene provide an important foundation for hormone health. We offer lifestyle coaching as part of our holistic approach.
With ongoing lab testing and follow-up visits, we ensure hormones remain in ideal ranges for each patient and adjust the treatment plan if needed.
The wide variety of menopausal symptoms can significantly disrupt women's quality of life. The most common issues are:
For some women, symptoms are mild and tolerable. But many have moderate to severe issues that profoundly impact their work productivity, relationships, and enjoyment of life. Finding the optimal treatment is crucial.
The two main types of hormone therapy are:
Estrogen therapy (ET)
Combined estrogen progestin therapy
We individualize therapy based on each woman's needs and risk factors - collaborating to find her optimal regimen and hormone levels.
Ideally, hormone therapy should begin early in the transition of menopause - as soon as bothersome symptoms arise or bone loss is detected. Initiating treatment early allows for:
Once women are 5-10 years past menopause, risks tend to outweigh benefits with hormone therapy. But we can still help manage symptoms and promote bone/heart health through lifestyle strategies and alternative therapies.
While alleviating troublesome menopausal symptoms is the primary goal of hormone therapy, research shows other meaningful benefits as well:
The benefits of HT often outweigh risks in healthy women under 60 within 10 years of menopause. We help patients understand the latest research to make informed choices.
For women without contraindications, hormone therapy is generally safe when used for less than 5 years. But HT does have some health risks to consider:
At Balance Hormone Clinic, we carefully evaluate health histories and risk factors before recommending HT. With patients on therapy, we monitor via lab testing, follow-up visits, and breast/pelvic exams. Dosage adjustments or medication changes may be necessary over time.
While hormone therapy serves as the foundation for treatment, we also offer evidence-based lifestyle guidance to help patients maximize results:
Making sustainable lifestyle upgrades eases menopausal symptoms, promotes hormone balance, and offers widespread health advantages. Our clinicians can refer patients to registered dietitians, fitness trainers, counselors, and other specialists to offer comprehensive support.
Livingston offers wonderful amenities to support women through menopause, including:
We will help connect patients to these valuable local resources and services. The mild climate, outdoor recreation, dining variety, walkability, and friendly community make Livingston an ideal place to thrive through menopause!
With over 15 years serving Livingston, Balance Hormone Clinic offers trusted expertise in evidence-based, integrative care for menopause management:
If you're experiencing unpleasant menopause symptoms or want to take a proactive approach against bone loss and heart disease - we invite you to explore Balance Hormone Clinic. Here's to embracing menopause gracefully!
A little-known menopause symptom called "brain fog" that causes memory and concentration problems is now being effectively treated with a surprising remedy - physical activity. Studies show that exercising just 30 minutes a day significantly improves cognition by increasing blood flow and neuron connectivity in middle-aged women.
