At HormoneHarmony in Albemarle, we understand that menopause can be a challenging transition. As a certified menopause practitioner with over 15 years of experience, I've helped countless women address sometimes debilitating symptoms and embrace this new phase of life. In this guide, you'll discover facts about menopause in regard to: Causes and Timing Symptoms and Health Risks Hormone Replacement Therapies Lifestyle Changes and Alternative Treatments Importance of Specialized Care I'll also highlight details about HormoneHarmony and why we're widely considered the region's menopause care experts. My goal is to educate and empower you to make informed decisions about managing menopause for optimal health and wellbeing.
Menopause marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility. It's diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period.
The average age for menopause onset is 51, however, it can start between the ages of 40-58. This phase commonly lasts between 1-3 years as the ovaries gradually produce fewer reproductive hormones like estrogen.
When periods stop before age 40, it's considered premature menopause which affects roughly 1% of women. Premature menopause has multiple causes such as genetics, autoimmune disorders, or medical treatments like chemotherapy.
Fluctuating and declining hormones during perimenopause and menopause can trigger a variety of symptoms including:
Furthermore, the hormonal changes of menopause are linked to long term health risks like osteoporosis and heart disease when left untreated. Let's look closer at menopause, bone health and cardiovascular concerns.
That's where specialized menopause evaluation, testing and treatment can help mitigate risks and support long term wellbeing.
While healthy lifestyle choices are imperative, hormone replacement therapies are often needed to effectively manage moderate to severe menopause concerns.
There are two main categories of treatment:
Delivery methods include:
HormoneHarmony customizes treatment plans based on each woman's menopause types, symptoms, health profile, preferences, and treatment goals:
Relief of hot flashes, night sweats and sleep disturbances
Reduced risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis
Possible improvements in mood, memory and concentration
Restored vaginal tissue health and sexual function
Slowed skin aging and reduced facial wrinkles
Decreased risk factors for diabetes and heart disease
There are also specialized therapies to help prevent thinning hair and hair loss which can accompany menopause for some women.
Every treatment plan is tailored to maximize benefits and minimize risks on an individual basis. Most women can use low dose hormone therapy for menopause safely for many years under the guidance of a menopause expert. However, therapy isn't right for everyone. Read on to learn about who should avoid hormone treatments.
Women with a history of the following conditions require specialized evaluation before using hormone therapy:
HormoneHarmony conducts thorough diagnostic testing and risk assessments to determine if hormone therapy is advisable and what dosage and delivery method works best based on your health status.
We also offer effective non-hormonal therapies for symptom relief.
Now let's look at the lifestyle measures that complement hormone treatments to help women thrive through menopause and beyond.
While lifestyle measures help, clinical studies find the most significant menopause symptom improvements from professional medical care. Let's look at key reasons HormoneHarmony stands out as North Carolina's preferred menopause treatment center.
HormoneHarmony was founded by Dr. Jane Smith, a board certified OB-GYN with a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. As a menopause expert trained at Mayo Clinic, she has an unmatched knowledge of the intricate hormonal and physiological changes across a woman's life stages.
Dr. Smith is a national educator and researcher in the field. Her bestselling books and educational programs empower women worldwide to understand hormone wellness.
At HormoneHarmony, we provide complete menopausal care including:
In addition to Dr. Smith, we have a diverse care team of nurses, nutritionists and mental health counselors. We partner closely with specialists in gynecology, endocrinology, cardiology and gastroenterology to ensure your individual needs are met.
Our goal is managing menopause for the best possible quality of life. We'll design an integrative care plan allowing you to feel like your pre-menopause self again.
We welcome you to schedule a risk assessment and consultation with our warm, down-to-earth team. You'll find a judgement-free zone focused completely on evidence based solutions tailored to your needs.
We're honored to support your menopausal transition and beyond through compassionate, personalized care as your dedicated menopause practitioners.
Women in Albemarle often experience various symptoms during menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, urinary symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and emotional changes like mood swings or irritability. Hot flashes are one of the most common complaints. As your body's estrogen levels decline during menopause, you may find hot flashes and night sweats quite disruptive to daily life.
There are a few types of doctors that can provide treatment for menopausal symptoms in Albemarle:- Gynecologists are able to diagnose and treat conditions related to the female reproductive system. Many gynecologists have specialized training in perimenopause and menopause management.- Primary care physicians, like family medicine doctors or internists, can also diagnose and treat menopause. They take a holistic approach to your care.- Endocrinologists are hormones experts that may be consulted for more complex menopause cases.- Menopause specialists focus exclusively on perimenopause and menopause care. They stay updated on the latest research and treatment options.
There are both non-prescription remedies and prescription medications available for managing menopausal symptoms in Albemarle:- Over-the-counter options include supplements like black cohosh, soy, vitamins E and B complex, or non-hormonal lubricants and moisturizers. Improving your diet and exercise routine can help too.- Prescription options range from low-dose oral hormone therapy pills and patches, vaginal estrogen creams or rings that treat localized symptoms, antidepressants, and medications for osteoporosis. You and your doctor will find the right fit based on your medical history and preferences.- Beyond medications, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, and visiting a compounding pharmacy can help relieve symptoms.
The main types of prescription hormone therapy that doctors in the Albemarle area may prescribe include:- Estrogen therapy, which replenishes estrogen levels in the body. This can effectively treat hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and urgency incontinence.- Progestin therapy is generally prescribed alongside estrogen for women with a uterus, to prevent overgrowth of uterine tissue.- Bioidentical hormones are plant-based with a similar molecular structure to human hormones. Custom-compounded creams, pills or gels are dosed to your individual hormonal needs.- Low dose vaginal preparations like estradiol vaginal inserts, rings or creams provide localized relief when systemic hormones are not desired.Keep in mind that each woman's need is unique, so the type recommended for you depends greatly on your medical history, risk factors, preferences and symptoms.
In addition to medications or supplements, most Albemarle doctors emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes to manage menopausal symptoms, including:- Getting regular exercise like cardio, strength training and balance activities. This helps regulate hormones and boost endorphins to elevate your mood.- Prioritize stress management every day through yoga, meditation, massage, journaling or other relaxation techniques that work for you. High stress exacerbates many menopause symptoms.- Stay cool! Dress in breathable clothing, keep your home comfortably cool, and avoid spicy foods and hot drinks that can trigger hot flashes.- Improve your sleep habits, as poor sleep contributes to mood swings and difficulties managing other symptoms. Stick to a consistent bedtime routine.- Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting, as this can significantly worsen menopausal symptoms.- Monitor your alcohol intake, as excess consumption can disrupt hormonal balance.The right menopause treatment plan is highly personalized. Albemarle doctors consider your risk factors, preferences and symptoms to determine appropriate solutions. Lifestyle tweaks alongside medication often provides optimal relief.
