Menopause marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility. It usually occurs between the ages of 45-55, with 51 being the average age. This natural transition is caused by decreasing hormone levels—mainly estrogen and progesterone. As these hormones decline, periods become irregular and eventually stop. Other common symptoms include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and mood changes.
While a natural part of aging, managing menopausal symptoms can greatly improve one's comfort and quality of life. That's why timely treatment and support are so important. The compassionate providers at Optimal Hormone Wellness Center offer individualized care to help women thrive during this transition.
In the years leading up to menopause, dubbed perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate causing a variety of symptoms. These include:
Perimenopause can begin 8-10 years before periods fully stop. Tracking symptoms helps identify the transition. Though challenging, this period eventually passes. With the right treatment plan, most symptoms can be managed for greater comfort.
Once a woman has gone 12 months without a period, she has reached postmenopause. While symptoms may ease for some during this stage, others require ongoing treatment and lifestyle adjustments, including:
Optimal Hormone Wellness Center offers comprehensive care through all stages—before, during, and after menopause. Patients receive customized treatment plans to meet their unique needs.
The most common treatment is estrogen therapy, which replaces the estrogen no longer made by the ovaries. Available as a pill, skin patch, gel, cream or vaginal insert, estrogen mainly helps with:
When initiated early in menopause, studies show estrogen also reduces heart disease risk and the need for gallbladder surgery. The lowest effective dose is recommended when prescribing estrogen.
Key Takeaway: Estrogen therapy effectively treats the most bothersome menopausal symptoms. Early treatment also has added health benefits.
For patients with an intact uterus, progestogen is prescribed alongside estrogen. Progestogen protects the uterine lining from overgrowth that can lead to cancer.
Options include an oral pill, skin patch combined with estrogen, the Mirena IUD, or progesterone cream. Patients should discuss preferences and risk factors with their Optimal Hormone Wellness Center provider.
Key Takeaway: Those with a uterus need supplemental progestogen with estrogen to lower cancer risk.
Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as those made by the body. Derived from plant sources, common types include:
Compounded into creams, tablets, pellets, or gels, bioidenticals mimic the body's own hormones. This allows cells to more readily use them. Results can be noticeable quickly with few risks.
Key Takeaway: Bioidentical hormones closely match naturally made hormones in structure and action with excellent symptom relief.
While less common than estrogen, androgen therapy treats low testosterone in women. Often prescribed as testosterone creams or gels, benefits include:
Working closely with specialty pharmacies, Optimal Hormone Wellness Center offers compounded bioidentical testosterone to meet specific needs. Testosterone pellets are also available.
Key Takeaway: Testosterone therapy improves several aspects of wellbeing in deficient women.
A healthy lifestyle augments hormone therapy for optimal menopause management. Optimal Hormone Wellness Center provides guidance on:
Eating nutritious whole foods ensures adequate intake of vitamins/minerals needed for hormone balance. These include:
Optimal Hormone Wellness Center also recommends professional grade supplements to correct deficiencies uncovered through testing. Common recommendations include phytoestrogen, probiotic, and Adaptogen supplements for added relief.
Key Takeaway: Targeted nutrition plans and quality supplements enhance hormone therapy results.
Most women need just 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise daily to relieve menopausal symptoms, including:
In addition to symptom relief, regular physical activity preserves bone density, promotes weight management, and reduces heart disease risks.
Key Takeaway: Make exercise a daily habit for optimal symptom relief and disease prevention.
Quality sleep is essential for mental clarity, improved mood, and better health overall. To promote healthy sleep during menopause:
Key Takeaway: Prioritizing sleep hygiene reduces troublesome symptoms for brighter days ahead.
Spiking estrogen and progesterone increase stress sensitivity during menopause. Activities promoting relaxation include:
Counseling is also available for those with anxiety or depression.
Key Takeaway: Make stress relief a priority through natural approaches and professional support as needed.
The caring providers at Optimal Hormone Wellness Center help women smoothly transition through menopause. With extensive training in hormone balancing therapies, patients enjoy benefits such as:
Individualized Treatment Plans
Advanced Testing and Screening
Holistic Approach
Visit the Optimal Hormone Wellness Center website to learn more or request an appointment online today.
Key Takeaway: Optimal Hormone Wellness Center offers personalized care and advanced therapies for smooth sailing through menopause.
The Optimal Hormone Wellness Centeral team includes physicians and nurse practitioners with fellowship-level training in:
Ongoing professional development ensures the latest medical advances are available to patients. The common goal is helping every patient thrive before, during, and beyond menopause.
Key Takeaway: Expertise and compassion guide the Optimal Hormone Wellness Center’ team whole-patient approach to care.
Acupuncture has shown promising results as an alternative menopause treatment. In studies, both traditional needle acupuncture and electroacupuncture significantly improved hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms compared to no treatment or sham acupuncture. The effects may stem from acupuncture's influence on estrogen levels and regulation of the hypothalamus.
Beyond clinical treatment, Optimal Hormone Wellness Center helps connect patients with community resources to enrich health during midlife and beyond. Useful local options include:
Riverside Spa – Massage, facials, waxing, yoga, Pilates in a peaceful setting
City Fitness Centers – Low-cost gyms with pools, classes, walking tracks
Moon Sun Labs – Local blood labs for convenience
Camelback Cholla Gardens – Beautiful public garden for walking
Healthy Dining – Nutritious eats at local cafes like The Grapevine, Nature’s Oasis, and Energy Cafe
Yuma Parks – Miles of walking paths for activity and fresh air
Optimal Hormone Wellness Center also provides referrals to licensed counselors, physical therapists, and other specialists as needed.
Key Takeaway: Optimal Hormone Wellness Center helps patients connect with Yuma’s many wellness-promoting community offerings.
Summary
Menopause is an inevitable life transition involving significant hormone changes leading to symptoms that can disrupt quality of life. From hot flashes to sleep troubles, anxiety to vaginal discomfort, tailored treatment brings welcome relief once bothersome symptoms arise.
Lifestyle adjustments like proper nutrition, daily activity for stress relief and fitness, restful sleep, and use of probiotics/supplements also encourage optimal wellbeing during this change. When combined with individualized hormone therapy, women can continue thriving through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.
The caring medical team at Optimal Hormone Wellness Center provides comprehensive support for the physical and emotional aspects of menopause using cutting edge testing, bioidentical hormones, and holistic care modalities. If menopause symptoms are disrupting your days, visit Optimal Hormone Wellness Center for personalized solutions. Relief, restoration and revitalized health awaits.
