Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. The term "menopause" refers to the point in time when a woman's menstrual periods permanently stop, marking the end of fertility. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transition time can last several years and is associated with changes in hormone levels that drive many symptoms.
Some of the most common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause include:
Hormone therapy can provide relief from these symptoms. Hormone therapy, also known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), supplements hormones that decline during perimenopause and menopause. The most commonly prescribed hormone therapy uses estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progestin.
There are many benefits of hormone therapy for menopausal women:
Starting hormone therapy shortly after the onset of menopause and continuing for several years provides the maximum benefits. However, it's never too late to start hormone therapy and experience symptom relief.
Harmony Hormone Clinic is a hormone therapy clinic in Ruston, LA that specializes in individualized treatment plans to help women transition through perimenopause and menopause. Our compassionate providers partner with patients to understand their unique symptoms and health history. Based on each woman's needs, we create custom regimens using bioidentical hormones to optimize safety and results.
Some key features of our menopause treatment approach:
Our goal is to provide Ruston women exceptional care throughout the process of hormone change. We are here to listen, educate, and find solutions to help you feel balanced, energized and thriving during midlife and beyond.
The North American Menopause Society recommends that women who experience moderate to severe menopause symptoms consider hormone therapy. Treatment is especially encouraged for women who:
Hormone therapy is very effective when initiated within a few years of menopause onset or surgery and used for at least 3-5 years.
Harmony Hormone Clinic also recommends hormone optimization for women who want to proactively manage the aging process. Maintaining youthful hormone levels can help minimize discomforts and promote vitality in midlife. Our providers will thoughtfully assess risks and benefits when creating treatment plans.
The first step is scheduling a new patient appointment at our Ruston clinic. We will have an in-depth discussion about your health history, symptoms, and goals. Any prior blood work or relevant medical records are helpful to provide at this visit.
Our nurse will then perform a blood draw to check your baseline hormone panel, including estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, FSH, TSH and more. These results allow us to identify any hormonal imbalances contributing to your symptoms.
After thorough review and analysis, your Harmony Hormone Clinic provider will recommend a customized treatment plan. This may include pellet hormone therapy, topical bioidentical creams, prescription medications or supplements. Education and lifestyle guidance will also be part of your regimen.
Follow-up visits allow us to evaluate your response to therapy, adjust dosages as needed, and ensure you are receiving the proper hormone balance to feel your best. We partner with you throughout treatment to optimize your comfort, health and vitality during the menopause transition and beyond.
Many women are unaware that cognitive behavioral therapy can be an effective treatment for troublesome menopause symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings. Studies show CBT helps women change negative thought patterns and manage stress, resulting in fewer and less intense menopausal symptoms without medication side effects.
A highly effective option for hormone replacement is pellet therapy using bioidentical hormones. Tiny pellets, about the size of a grain of rice, are inserted under the skin during a simple office procedure. The pellets dissolve slowly to provide steady estrogen and/or testosterone levels for 3-6 months.
There are many advantages to pellet hormone therapy:
Pellet therapy is excellent for relieving hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes and vaginal symptoms associated with menopause. It can also help maintain bone health, energy levels and libido.
When estrogen pellets are used, progesterone is still needed to protect the uterine lining. This is often given as a topical bioidentical cream or oral capsule. Your Harmony Hormone Clinic provider will determine the ideal bioidentical hormone regimen designed just for you.
While hormone therapy is extremely helpful for managing troublesome symptoms, lifestyle measures also play an important role during the transition to menopause. Here are some healthy habits we recommend:
Nutrition: Choose a balanced diet focused on plants, lean proteins and healthy fats. Key nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and omega-3s support bone, heart and brain health. Herbs like black cohosh, maca and sage may help with hot flashes.
Exercise:Aim for 150 minutes per week, mixing aerobic activity, strength training and stretching. Regular exercise helps manage weight, mood, energy and sleep.
Stress management: Practices like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, journaling and massage counteract stress and anxiety. Make time for self-care!
Supportive relationships: Share your experience with understanding friends, partners and support groups. Don't isolate yourself - connect with others.
Professional guidance: Work with providers who listen and design individualized treatment plans. Communicate openly about your symptoms and treatment responses.
Adopting a healthy, active lifestyle during perimenopause and postmenopause can help ease the hormonal transition. Be compassionate with yourself and make self-care a priority!
Why do estrogen and progesterone levels decline during the transition to menopause? There are several reasons:
Restoring balance with bioidentical estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can help counteract these age-related shifts in reproductive hormone production.
To assess if hormone therapy is recommended, the following exams and tests are necessary:
These comprehensive baseline evaluations allow us to determine if hormone imbalance is causing symptoms, identify any underlying medical conditions, and assess the risks and benefits of treatment for each woman.
Follow-up tests during hormone therapy help evaluate treatment effectiveness and monitor for potential side effects. Blood tests to recheck hormone levels are done periodically to ensure proper dosing. Pelvic exams, mammograms and bone density scans may be repeated in certain cases.
Harmony Hormone Clinic uses evidence-based protocols to guide testing recommendations before and during treatment. Our goal is safe hormone therapy that is tailored to your unique needs.
There are a few key ways that hormone therapy provides symptom relief and health benefits:
Restoring optimal hormone levels can truly help women feel their best during perimenopause, menopause and beyond!
Ruston, Louisiana has many great local establishments that can support quality of life during hormone therapy. Here are some recommendations:
Fitness
Relaxation
Healthy Eating
Shopping/Entertainment
Ruston's mild winters and abundant sunshine provide a pleasant climate year-round to stay active. But avoiding hot and humid summers is ideal if struggling with hot flashes! Make self-care a priority by enjoying tranquility at the spa, healthy cooking classes at the Co-op, or comedy nights for laughter therapy. Let us know if you need any other local recommendations!
When it comes to something as delicate as hormone health, trust and experience are crucial. Harmony Hormone Clinic has been a trusted leader in bioidentical hormone therapy for over 15 years. Our founders are passionate about providing individualized care that optimizes wellness and vitality during midlife and beyond.
What sets Harmony Hormone Clinic apart:
We also partner with local compounding pharmacies to provide specialized medications when needed. And our electronic medical record system ensures your care team has access to your latest treatment plans and progress.
Harmony Hormone Clinic combines clinical excellence with genuine caring. Contact us today to see how we can help you thrive before, during and after menopause with individualized treatment in Ruston. We look forward to being your hormone health partner for years to come!
