Menopause

Menopause is defined as the cessation of the monthly menstrual cycle for one year and signals the end of a woman’s natural childbearing years.  Menopause is neither a disease nor an illness, it occurs naturally and usually gradually changes due to glandular function.  It has its origins in the beginning of menses and culminates in a series of hormonal changes that result in the cessation of menstrual flow.  This transition produces a variety of bodily symptoms, and is due to changes in production of hormones and the timing of the release. Typically it occurs between the ages of forty eight to fifty two years. It can however occur as early as mid thirties in some women. Thus some women can experience symptoms for almost half their lives.  Various body parts underg

Menopausal symptoms can be any of the following:

• Hot flashes
• Changes in sex drive
• Insomnia
• Nervousness, irritability
• Anxiety
• Headache
• Depression
• Skin aging / cosmetic changes
• Osteoporosis
• Altered fat and carbohydrate metabolism
• Atherosclerosis
• Forgetfulness, memory impairment
• Mood swings
• Night sweats
• Bleeding irregularities
• Vaginal dryness
• Fatigue
• Weight gain in the waist and or hips
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Tender breasts

If you experience any of these you should be tested.

Why should you test?

Hormones are powerful substances that control multiple functions throughout the body.  Hormone levels should be sufficient and balanced.  Too much or too little of them is not conducive to long-term emotional, mental and bodily health.

Testing involves saliva or urine samples to be sent to the lab. The results offer a baseline which help guide treatment.

One can then:

Customize natural hormone dosing using, bio-identical Hormones to meet individual needs.

We can then optimize hormone levels to relieve symptoms.  Our goal is to achieve appropriate and compatible physiological levels of several hormones.  This provides an increased sense of well-being by removing underlying hormone deficit and achieving balance.

How can we help you?

• Alleviate symptoms caused by the natural decrease in hormone production in the body.
• Reestablish the individuals hormonal balance.
• Provide protective benefits that were originally provided by the bodies naturally occurring hormones.

Personalized approach:

Your physiology and life history are unique.  Your path to hormonal balance will be unique too.  Our approach is to build a foundation of support and then add personal solutions as needed to resolve any intractable symptoms.

Arbitrarily given hormones may deal with the symptoms, but may pose other health risks.

Do I need Estrogen?

Menopause cannot be simply explained by lack of estrogen.  While estrogen deficiency may play a role in some women’s experience in most cases it does not.  What is needed is a balance between estrogen and progesterone.

Most women in America are over their ideal body weight.  It is well documented that overweight women produce too much estrogen.  As it is made in fat cells.  Women who are overweight are at an increased risk of diseases that are known to be caused by elevated estrogen.  Uterine cancer and breast cancer are more common in women who are overweight.

Estrogen also increases weight gain and makes more difficult to lose weight. Typically the weight gain is around the waist, hips and thighs. 

Subsequent to laboratory testing bio-identical hormones can be initiated to restore balance. This involves a careful look at and assessment of the thyroid hormone, cortisol , estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Treatment is personalized and individualized, and involves a careful look at overall health, diet and nutrition, exercise and stress relieving techniques like meditation and yoga.