Going through menopause can feel like an emotional and physical rollercoaster. From hot flashes to mood swings, you may feel like your body is totally out of whack. While menopause is a natural transition, that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.
At Z Med Clinic and Med Spa in Texas, we get it. We know how disruptive and uncomfortable menopause symptoms can be. That’s why we offer customized treatment plans to help you feel like yourself again.
Keep reading to learn how we can support you through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond!
Understanding the Stages of Menopause
Before exploring your treatment options, it helps to understand where you’re at in the menopause journey. Here’s a quick breakdown of the phases:
Perimenopause
For most women, perimenopause starts in their 40s. It’s the lead-up to menopause, usually lasting about 4 years. During this transition time, your ovaries start producing less estrogen.
You may notice changes like:
- Irregular and heavier periods
- Hot flashes
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
The fun really starts at 40! But keep in mind, these symptoms are your body’s way of adapting to lower estrogen levels.
Menopause
Menopause officially begins when you’ve gone 12 straight months without a period. The average age is 51, but it can happen earlier or later.
In menopause, your estrogen levels are very low. You may struggle with:
- Hot flashes intensifying
- Night sweats disrupting sleep
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort
- Thinning hair
- Forgetfulness or “brain fog”
- Mood changes like irritability or anxiety
Postmenopause
This refers to the phase after menopause. Your hormone levels have balanced out, but you may contend with lasting effects like bone loss and heart disease risk. Staying healthy is key now.
As you can see, menopause symptoms run the gamut. The good news? Z Med Clinic offers both hormonal and non-hormonal therapies tailored to your needs.
Hormone Therapy for Menopause Relief
If you’re looking for more significant relief from hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms, hormone therapy may be the right fit.
Hormone therapy involves taking estrogen, progesterone, or both to supplement the hormones your body is lacking. This helps minimize troublesome symptoms so you can feel balanced again.
Several hormone therapy options exist:
Estrogen Therapy
If you’ve had a hysterectomy and no longer have a uterus, estrogen therapy is a possibility.
Estrogen-only options include:
- Estrogen pills like Premarin and Ogen
- Estrogen creams, vaginal rings, and vaginal tablets
- Estrogen patches and sprays
Estrogen + Progesterone
For those with a uterus, combining estrogen with progesterone lowers the risk of uterine cancer.
Choices include:
- Pills like Prempro and FemHRT
- Patch options like CombiPatch
Localized Estrogen
Vaginal dryness and discomfort got you down? Localized estrogen creams, tablets, and rings deliver relief right where you need it.
Speaking of vaginal health…when was your last pap smear? Stay on top of screenings – your health is too important!
Pros of Hormone Therapy
The right hormone therapy offers notable perks like:
- Decreasing hot flashes and night sweats
- Lifting brain fog and boosting energy
- Relieving vaginal dryness for comfortable intimacy
- Reducing risk of osteoporosis and heart disease
- Regulating mood swings
Of course, benefits vary based on the treatment, dosage, and your individual response.
The Power of Bioidentical Hormones
Confused about all the hormone therapy options for menopause? Let’s clear things up.
Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones your body produces. This allows them to bind easily to your natural hormone receptors and mimic the action of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in the body.
The most common bioidenticals used for menopause are:
- Estradiol – the main estrogen hormone
- Progesterone – helps balance estrogen’s effects
These are usually derived from plant sources and custom-prepared based on your doctor’s prescription. We offer bioidentical hormones in different formats to suit each woman’s needs:
| Format | Description |
| Pills or capsules | Convenient oral dosing that’s absorbed through your digestive system |
| Patches | Thin patches applied to your skin that deliver a steady hormone dosage |
| Topical gels or creams | Absorbed through the skin to target local tissues |
| Vaginal rings/tablets | Provide localized relief from urogenital symptoms |
| Injections | Administered periodically for more precise dosing |
At Z Med Clinic and Med Spa, we’ll take time to listen to your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle to determine if bioidentical hormone therapy is the right choice. If so, we’ll work closely to find the optimal hormone formulation, dosage, and delivery method for your body.
Non-Hormonal Options for Menopause Symptom Relief
If you have health conditions making hormones dangerous, or just want to take a natural approach, non-hormonal options can help minimize symptoms.
Lifestyle Tweaks
Simple changes like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and reducing stress through yoga or meditation go a long way. Building these healthy habits now protects your wellbeing.
OTC Remedies
Over-the-counter supplements like soy, black cohosh, and evening primrose oil may lessen hot flashes and irritability for some women. Always talk to your doctor before starting supplements.
Vaginal Rejuvenation
Discomfort or pain during sex? Vaginal rejuvenation using laser therapy can restore comfort and confidence for intimate encounters.
Give us a call – we’d love to explain this cutting-edge treatment!
Perks of Non-Hormonal Therapies
Going the non-hormonal route has advantages like:
- Avoiding hormone therapy risks
- Providing natural relief through lifestyle
- Allowing you to tailor your own self-care rituals
- Giving you peace of mind
Of course, symptoms may not be relieved as intensely as with hormone therapy. But you’ll be in the driver’s seat of your treatment plan.
Weighing Your Menopause Treatment Options
As you can see, Z Med Clinic offers comprehensive options for managing menopause. To decide the right path forward, consider:
- Your symptom severity and impact on daily life
- Underlying health conditions and risk factors
- Your feelings about taking hormones or medications
- Natural remedies you’re willing to try
- Your treatment goals and priorities
And remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all menopause treatment. What works for your sister or neighbor may not be right for your situation.
Ready for Customized Menopause Relief?
If you’re navigating the ups and downs of perimenopause or struggling through bothersome menopause symptoms, we can help guide the way. With individualized care, advanced hormone and non-hormone therapies, holistic education, and compassionate support, we’ll have you feeling balanced and back to your best.
Book a consultation at Z Med Clinic to explore your choices in-depth. We’ll help you land on the safest, most effective path tailored just for you.
