Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, when hormone levels become irregular but a woman still has her period. After menopause, when periods have stopped for 12 consecutive months, estrogen levels are much lower. This reduction in estrogen causes uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and mood changes in over 75% of women.
While menopause is inevitable, women don't have to suffer through it. Hormone therapy can provide relief by replacing estrogen lost during this transition. When timed appropriately, hormone therapy is a safe way to treat menopausal symptoms. Read on to learn all about menopause, its symptoms, and cutting-edge treatments available from Vitality Balance Clinic hormone clinic right here in Brick.
The hallmark sign of perimenopause and menopause is a change in menstrual bleeding. Periods may become lighter, heavier, or more irregular. Bleeding may increase or decrease in frequency. Menstruation eventually stops altogether after menopause.
Along with changes in menstruation, women experience a variety of other symptoms stemming from declining estrogen levels:
Hot flashes affect up to 80% of women going through menopause. These sudden feelings of intense warmth in the face, neck, and chest can last from 30 seconds up to 10 minutes. Night sweats and cold flashes are also common.
When estrogen levels drop, tissues in the vulva, vagina, and urethra lose elasticity and strength. This can result in:
Additional menopausal symptoms linked to hormonal fluctuations include:
The severity and duration of symptoms are different for each woman. While symptoms usually peak during perimenopause, some persist for months or years after the final period. Fortunately, the experts at Vitality Balance Clinic have effective treatment options to help women find relief.
Beyond bothersome symptoms, menopause increases the risk for certain health conditions. Estrogen has protective effects on the cardiovascular system and bone strength. Once estrogen production halts, women become more vulnerable to:
Making healthy lifestyle choices can prevent these complications. Eating nutritious foods high in calcium and vitamin D helps strengthen aging bones. Regular exercise is also key - it stimulates bone growth and reduces heart disease risk.
For some women, lifestyle measures aren't enough. Thankfully, the hormone therapy specialists at Vitality Balance Clinic can develop customized treatment plans to target concerning menopausal symptoms and safeguard long-term health after menopause.
Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones naturally produced by the ovaries. Made from plant sources, these synthetic hormones mirror estrogen, progesterone and testosterone down to the last atom.
When prescribed by a trained hormone specialist like those at Vitality Balance Clinic, bioidentical hormones offer a number of advantages:
Because they are biologically identical, bioidentical hormones don't increase health risks the way traditional hormone replacement therapy can. This makes them the preferred treatment option to ease symptoms and side effects after menopause.
The first step is blood testing to measure current hormone levels. The doctors at Vitality Balance Clinic will check follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Estradiol (E2), testosterone and thyroid levels.
Customized bioidentical hormone therapy begins with replacing estrogen lost during menopause. Estrogen is available as oral capsules, transdermal gels/creams and subdermal implants. The estradiol dose can be adjusted over time to keep symptoms controlled while preventing excessive tissue stimulation.
Most women are also treated with micronized progesterone to balance out estrogen effects on the uterus. Without progesterone, estrogen raises the risk for uterine cancer.
Men with hormone imbalance can also benefit from testosterone and/or thyroid replacement under medical supervision. Testosterone pellets, gels and injections reverse symptoms of andropause associated with aging.
Finding an optimal hormone therapy regimen takes patience, discipline and expert oversight. The skilled practitioners at Vitality Balance Clinic combine cutting-edge bioidentical hormones with nutrition and lifestyle counseling for the best possible treatment outcomes.
While usually thought of as only addressing hot flashes and mood changes, menopause treatment can actually help promote bone and heart health. New understanding of the far-reaching effects of hormonal changes has led doctors to more proactively manage menopausal transition to prevent issues like osteoporosis and high cholesterol down the road.
The sought-after menopause specialist team from Vitality Balance Clinic proudly serves the women of Brick with individualized care to treat hormone imbalance.
With over 15 years of experience, Drs. BlueGreen, Platium and Corium are leading experts in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), regenerative procedures and optimized nutrition. They stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in preventive medicine and age management.
At Vitality Balance Clinic Brick clinic, we respect each woman’s unique needs during perimenopause and beyond. Our goal is to enhance quality of life through:
Vitality Balance Clinic also offers cutting-edge medical procedures to complement our integrative hormone therapy approach:
We bill all major insurance providers when applicable and provide competitive self-pay rates.
To get started, schedule a new patient assessment with Drs. BlueGreen, Platium or Corium for $179. This 2.5 hour time slot allows our doctors to gain a thorough understanding of your symptoms, health history, lifestyle factors and wellness goals. Bloodwork and body composition analysis are performed onsite to uncover imbalances. This informs a fully customized treatment plan to help you thrive through menopause.
We have remained open as an essential healthcare service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional precautions have been implemented for patient and staff safety. Telemedicine appointments ensure continuity of care for existing patients.
Don’t struggle through menopause alone - the supportive team at Vitality Balance Clinic has the knowledge and tools to guide you into the next chapter of womanhood.
Menopause is accompanied by many uncomfortable symptoms stemming from reduced estrogen levels. While an inevitable part of aging, women don't have to suffer through "the change". The menopause specialists at Vitality Balance Clinic clinic offer expert guidance and bioidentical hormone replacement tailored to your needs. With individualized therapy, bothersome symptoms can be kept under control so you can fully enjoy midlife and beyond! Schedule a new patient assessment to begin your journey toward hormonal balance and improved quality of life.
