Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. The average age for menopause onset is 51, but it can occur anytime between the ages of 40 and 58. As a woman approaches menopause, her estrogen levels begin to decline, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, irritability, and more. Fortunately, there are many effective options for managing menopause symptoms and hormone changes.
One of the best places for menopause care and treatment in the Pico Rivera area is Hormone Harmony. Their experienced medical team provides customized menopause hormone therapy to help women manage symptoms and transition smoothly into this new phase of life. Keep reading to learn more about menopause and the treatments available at Hormone Harmony.
Menopause officially occurs when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without her menstrual period. This marks the end of her reproductive years. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This is when estrogen levels fluctuate and decline, causing irregular periods and the start of menopause symptoms.
The major change of menopause is the sharp decrease in estrogen and progesterone hormone production by the ovaries. These hormones are essential for regulating menstrual cycles, bone health, cholesterol levels, body temperature, heart health, sexual function, and more. When these hormones drop around menopause, it leads to the common symptoms like:
The severity of symptoms varies widely among women. While some have very mild symptoms, others experience them so severely it disrupts their quality of life. The duration of symptoms also varies, lasting anywhere from a few months to over 10 years.
In addition to symptom management, it is essential to address the increased health risks that accompany estrogen loss. These include risks like osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Proper treatment can help minimize these risks.
The medical providers at Hormone Harmony understand how significantly hormones impact a woman's health and quality of life. Their goal is to develop customized treatment plans to help patients manage menopause smoothly. They offer both pharmaceutical and bioidentical hormone therapies, depending on each patient's needs and preferences.
Some of the menopause doctors and providers at Hormone Harmony include:
A new patient's first visit includes an extensive review of their health history and a physical exam. Blood tests are done to evaluate hormone levels and other markers to gain an understanding of what is happening in the body. Based on this overview, the provider makes evidence-based recommendations for treatment. Follow-up visits allow for monitoring progress and adjusting the treatment plan as needed.
Telehealth appointments are also available for added convenience. This allows existing patients to meet with their provider through a HIPAA-compliant video platform when an in-person visit is not necessary. Hormone Harmony aims to provide options that fit each patient's preferences.
Decades of research support hormone therapy as an effective approach for managing moderate to severe menopause symptoms. When initiated within a few years of menopause onset, studies show hormone therapy also has beneficial long-term effects on bone and heart health.
The key benefits of hormone therapy include:
Estrogen therapy is the foundation of most regimens. It is commonly combined with progesterone to provide endometrial protection. The hormones can be administered as pills, patches, topical gels/creams, vaginal rings, or pellet implants.
Hormone Harmony providers discuss all these options with patients to create a plan that best fits their lifestyle and needs. The goal is to improve quality of life while also reducing health risks associated with menopause hormone changes.
An interesting new treatment for menopause symptoms is float therapy, which involves floating in a saltwater pod cut off from light and sound. Floating triggers the body's relaxation response, lowering cortisol and easing anxiety. It's been found to reduce hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings in menopausal women without medication side effects.
Bioidentical hormone therapy has grown in popularity as a natural way to supplement hormone levels. Bioidentical means the hormones have a molecular structure identical to what a woman's body produces. This allows them to integrate smoothly to produce effects like a young woman naturally would.
The most commonly prescribed bioidentical hormones include:
These hormones are generally derived from plant sources and made into natural products. Dosages can be customized in small increments to match each woman's hormone needs and preferences. Many women report that bioidentical hormones relieve menopause symptoms while having less risks of side effects compared to synthetic options.
Hormone Harmony offers cutting-edge pellet implants as a way to deliver bioidentical hormones. The pellets are about the size of a grain of rice and are inserted under the skin during a quick in-office procedure. They steadily release hormones over 3-6 months to provide stable blood levels. This avoids the daily peaks and valleys of oral dosing. Pellets are an excellent option for women seeking steady hormone levels without frequent dosing.
In addition to hormone therapy, making certain lifestyle adjustments can help ease this transition and improve wellbeing. Here are some tips:
Making these simple lifestyle changes, along with appropriate treatment, offers the best chance of successfully navigating menopause. Be patient with yourself and your body during this transition.
Pico Rivera has a warm climate year-round, averaging highs of 70-80°F. This stays quite comfortable most of the time. However, hot flashes may be more noticeable on the hottest summer days when temperatures exceed 90°F. Cooling techniques like cold drinks, handheld fans, cold compresses, and AC can help on these days. It is also important to stay hydrated year-round in this dry climate.
Pico Rivera offers many options to enjoy the sunny weather and incorporate activity into your routine:
For hormone testing prior to treatment, nearby labs include:
Be sure to ask your Hormone Harmony provider for specific lab testing recommendations. They will provide requisition orders to take to the lab for proper menopause panels.
Pico Rivera offers many dining options to sample fresh, heart-healthy California cuisine. Choose leafy greens, vegetables, lean proteins, and minimal saturated fats when eating out. Recommended restaurants include:
Hormone Harmony wants to ensure every patient feels empowered to take charge of her health during midlife changes. Reach out today to learn more about individualized treatment plans and optimizing wellness during the menopause transition. Their compassionate providers look forward to helping patients embrace this new phase of womanhood.
