Welcome to the journey of menopause – a universal chapter in every woman’s life. Unfortunately, menopause brings about unwanted physical and emotional changes. Luckily, though, there are a variety of menopause treatments available to you that will help ease these symptoms.
If you are ready to seek help for the changes associated with menopause, please get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to schedule a free consultation with one of our Mygenics providers.
Key Takeaways
- There are a variety of physical and emotional changes associated with menopause.
- In addition to lifestyle changes, we focus on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and estrogen therapy to help women with their menopause symptoms.
Understanding Menopause Symptoms
Menopause, also known as the ‘change of life,’ introduces a variety of symptoms equivalent to the ups and downs of a rollercoaster ride. According to the North American Menopause Society, many women experience a menopausal transition characterized by:
- Irregular periods as they approach their final menstrual period
- Menstrual cycles that can vary in length
- Changes in the flow of your periods
- Occasional missed periods
- Vaginal bleeding, which a healthcare provider should continually evaluate
Once women reach menopause, they commonly report the following symptoms:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood changes
- Severe vaginal dryness
- Urinary incontinence
These symptoms of menopause can be pretty challenging to deal with.
Treatments for Menopause
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), works by replacing what the body lacks. Hormone therapy serves as a substitution for missing hormones and is an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy comes in various forms, such as creams and prescription medications.
At Mygenics, we provide bioidentical hormone therapy. Bioidentical hormone therapy mimics the hormones naturally produced by the human body.
Estrogen Therapy and Menopause
Estrogen therapy, a form of hormone therapy, is a highly effective treatment option for alleviating many of the symptoms associated with menopause. The primary focus of this therapy is to replace the estrogen that the body stops producing during menopause.
The therapy can be particularly beneficial for treating symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, which are some of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms women experience during menopause. By replacing the estrogen, treatment can significantly reduce these, improving many women’s overall quality of life.
Moreover, estrogen therapy can also help manage severe vaginal dryness, another common symptom of menopause. This treatment can help restore moisture and elasticity, making sexual intercourse more comfortable.
However, it’s important to note that while estrogen therapy can be highly beneficial, it’s not suitable for everyone. Women with certain health conditions, such as breast or endometrial cancer, heart disease, stroke, or blood clots, may not be able to undergo this form of therapy. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider before starting estrogen therapy.
Progesterone Therapy and Menopause
Progesterone therapy is another form of hormone therapy that we use at Mygenics to manage symptoms of menopause. Progesterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. During menopause, the levels of progesterone in the body decrease, leading to various symptoms.
Progesterone therapy works by supplementing the body’s natural progesterone levels. This process can help alleviate many menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
The therapy can be administered in various forms, such as pills, creams, gels, or suppositories, making it a versatile treatment option.
Testosterone Therapy and Menopause
Testosterone therapy is another part of hormone therapy that you can consider for managing menopause symptoms. While testosterone is often associated with men, it’s also an essential hormone for women, contributing to bone strength, muscle mass, and sex drive. During menopause, the levels of testosterone in the body decrease along with estrogen and progesterone.
Testosterone therapy for menopause works by supplementing the body’s natural testosterone levels. This process can help alleviate symptoms such as reduced libido, fatigue, and mood swings. It can also contribute to improving bone density and muscle strength, which can be particularly beneficial as the risk of osteoporosis increases after menopause.
At Mygenics, we can provide testosterone therapy in the form of patches, gels, and implants.
DHEA Therapy and Menopause
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) therapy is another lever that we pull at Mygenics while managing your menopause symptoms. DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, and its levels naturally decrease with age. During menopause, the decrease in DHEA levels can contribute to various symptoms.
DHEA therapy for menopause works by supplementing the body’s natural DHEA levels. This process can help alleviate some menopause symptoms such as low energy, mood swings, and reduced libido. DHEA may also help improve bone density, which is crucial as the risk of osteoporosis increases after menopause.
Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care Tips
At Mygenics, we also recommend that you implement lifestyle modifications to manage menopause symptoms. These changes could include:
- Engaging in regular exercise
- Consuming a nutritionally balanced diet
- Avoiding triggers
- Utilizing stress-reducing techniques
- Obtaining adequate sleep
- Wearing layered clothing
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Regular exercise can yield numerous benefits. Similarly, a balanced diet during menopause is crucial as it helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of various health problems.
Effective stress management techniques can help navigate the traffic of menopause symptoms as smoothly as perfect driving skills.
Monitoring Your Progress and Adjusting Treatment
Treating menopause can be seen as a journey where you frequently check the map, monitor progress, and adjust the course as required. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider help ensure your treatment is working effectively.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication that your treatment requires adjustment:
- Irregularities with your periods
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary urgency
- Insomnia
These symptoms are similar to how we adjust our speed when seeing a speed limit sign.
Summary
Ultimately, navigating menopause is a personal journey that requires guidance, patience, and care. Every woman’s experience is unique. Understanding the symptoms, exploring other treatment options, making lifestyle changes, and monitoring progress can make this journey smoother and more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and fertility. We define it as when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. Menopause usually occurs in women in their late 40s or early 50s, but the age can vary. It is a transition into a new phase of life. Various symptoms accompany menopause due to hormonal changes, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
Yes, menopause can indeed cause moodiness and depression. As women transition into menopause, they experience a significant shift in hormone levels, particularly a decline in estrogen. This hormonal imbalance can lead to mood swings and, in some cases, depression. It’s important to note that while these symptoms are common, they are not a guaranteed part of the menopause experience for all women.
Menopause can have varying effects on your sex drive. For some women, the decrease in certain hormone levels, particularly estrogen, during menopause can lead to a reduced libido or sex drive. The decreased libido often accompanies physical changes such as vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, which can further impact your sexual desire. However, it’s important to note that every woman experiences menopause differently. While some might notice a decrease in their sex drive, others may not experience any change or may even find their libido increases. There are various treatments available to help manage these symptoms, such as hormone therapy.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for Women is the best treatment for menopause, as it replaces the hormones that are at low levels and helps to alleviate hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood changes. If hormone therapy isn’t an option, there are other treatments available.
Hot flashes, trouble sleeping, pain during sex, moodiness and irritability, and depression are the most common symptoms of menopause. Many women find relief from their symptoms through lifestyle changes or medications. Still, it is essential to talk to a doctor about treatment options.
Yes, menopause can indeed contribute to the development of osteoporosis. During menopause, the decline in estrogen levels can lead to a decrease in bone density, making bones more fragile and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. For this reason, menopausal women must monitor their bone health and consider treatments or lifestyle changes that can help maintain bone density.
Not every woman experiences menopausal symptoms. The experience of menopause varies significantly from woman to woman. Some women may experience severe symptoms, while others may have very mild symptoms or none at all. It’s important to remember that menopause is a natural process, and each woman’s experience is unique.
Hormone Therapy is a treatment used to replace hormones that the body has stopped producing due to menopause, providing relief from menopausal symptoms.
Are Menopause Treatments Right For Me
At Mygenics, our women’s hormone clinic is happy to diagnose and treat any problems you may have. If you suffer from any of the symptoms above, then the Mygenics menopause treatments could be the right decision for you.
For more information on Women’s Sexual Health, please see our O-Shot treatments.
To schedule an appointment, please fill out our contact form or give our office a call today.