Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through, marking the end of the reproductive years. The average age for menopause onset is 51, but it can happen anywhere from 40-55 years old.
As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, women may experience symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, and mood changes. Hormone therapy can provide relief by replacing the hormones that the body is no longer making.
Renew Hormone Clinic has extensive expertise helping women navigate menopause, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life through customized hormone replacement therapy (HRT) plans. We also provide nutritional and lifestyle support to promote better health during this transition.
The onset of menopause is different for every woman, but there are some common signs and symptoms to be aware of:
* Hot flashes - Sudden feelings of intense body heat, flushing, and sweating * Night sweats - Severe hot flashes occurring at night * Can disrupt sleep and cause fatigue/irritability
* Vaginal dryness and atrophy - Thinning of vaginal tissue leading to irritation * More UTIs * Painful intercourse (dyspareunia) * Light bladder leakage (urinary incontinence)
* Mood swings * Irritability * Anxiety * Depression
Catching and treating symptoms early can prevent them from worsening over time. Renew Hormone Clinic provides comprehensive lab testing to accurately diagnose hormone imbalances related to perimenopause and menopause.
Hormone therapy (HT), also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), supplements the body with estrogen and progesterone to alleviate unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause.
As the ovaries stop producing adequate hormones, taking supplements helps:
There are a few different formulations of HT available:
* Oral tablets - Estrogen tablets like estradiol and conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin) * Transdermal patches - Estradiol patches (Climara, Vivelle-Dot, Menostar) * Vaginal rings - Flexible ring inserted into the vagina to supply estrogen directly (Estring)
* Taken alongside estrogen to protect the uterine lining * Oral capsules (Prometrium) or intrauterine device (Mirena IUD)
* Plant-based hormones identical to what the body produces * Custom-compounded creams, gels, inserts, troches, injectables * Fine-tuned to match a woman's individual hormonal needs
Renew Hormone Clinic specializes in bioidentical hormone therapy (bHRT), using a combination of FDA-approved and customized compounded hormones tailored to your unique physiology and lab work. We also provide nutritional IV therapies to enhance the effectiveness of bHRT plans.
Contrary to popular belief, hormone replacement therapy is not the only effective treatment for menopause symptoms. Clinical trials have found that cognitive behavioral therapy focusing on lifestyle changes like sleep hygiene, stress reduction, and increased physical activity can be just as successful as HRT in managing troublesome symptoms for some women.
To see if hormone therapy is recommended for managing menopause symptoms, Renew Hormone Clinic evaluates:
Our physicians and nurse practitioners conduct thorough assessments, analyzing all of these factors to determine if HT will be safe and helpful. We develop customized treatment plans aimed at optimizing hormonal balance and reducing troublesome menopausal symptoms.
Proper hormone balance is essential for physical and mental wellbeing during menopause. Getting treatment promptly can prevent symptoms from cascading into larger health problems over time.
* Estrogen plays a key role in bone remodeling * Osteopenia and osteoporosis risks increase after menopause * Hormone therapy maintains bone mineral density
* Menopause can negatively impact cholesterol levels * HRT may help lower LDL and raise HDL cholesterol * Can also help regulate blood pressure
* Estrogen helps promote joint cartilage production * Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency aggravates arthritis * HT demonstrates anti-inflammatory benefits
* Estrogen modulates brain chemicals like serotonin and endorphins * Low levels associated with anxiety, depression, memory issues * HT improves mood disorders and cognitive function
The practitioners at Renew Hormone Clinic stay current on all the latest research about HT for protecting women's health during menopause. We provide science-backed treatment plans to address concerning symptoms and prevent the development of additional health problems.
Getting appropriate treatment early in the menopausal transition is key for achieving optimal benefits from hormone therapy. Reasons to consider starting HT include:
* Treating mild hot flashes and night sweats can prevent worsening * Vaginal dryness and pain often gradually intensifies * Spotting mood changes early helps normalize them faster
* HT risks increase after 60 years old or starting 10 years after menopause * Treatment eligibility changes over time
* The earlier treatment begins, the easier sticking with it long-term tends to be * Making HT part of a routine before disruptive symptoms take hold
* Hormonal balance is easier to re-establish before major depletion * Supporting tissues earlier leads to better health trajectories
The practitioners at Renew Hormone Clinic guide patients through all aspects of perimenopause and menopause - from managing bothersome symptoms to developing preventive health plans addressing bone, brain, heart, and breast health. We help women take charge of their wellbeing during this transition.
Choosing the right clinical team is imperative to having a positive hormone therapy experience. Renew Hormone Clinic offers specialized menopause treatment with an array of advantages:
* Tailored combinations of FDA-approved and compounded hormones * Treatment matched to each woman's unique lab panel results
* Diet and nutrition optimization * Stress management techniques * Personalized fitness recommendations
* Hormone levels fluctuate so dosages often need modification * We meticulously track progress and symptoms
* Trusted referrals to allied healthcare providers as needed * Seamless collaboration for whole-person support
We recognize every woman has a distinct clinical profile during menopause. Our mission at Renew Hormone Clinic is to listen to patients compassionately, gain a comprehensive view of their health, and then develop custom treatment plans to reduce symptoms and empower women to thrive.
In addition to hormone optimization, making certain lifestyle changes can help ease menopausal symptoms further and promote better health. Renew Hormone Clinic offers practical tips across five key areas:
* Phytoestrogens - Soy, flaxseed, beans for mild estrogen effect * Calcium and Vitamin D - Support bone strength * Omega-3s - Help regulate mood * Probiotics - Improve gut-brain connection
* Weight training - Preserve lean muscle mass and bone density * Yoga and pilates - Encourage flexibility and balance * Walking and swimming - Boost circulation and calm nervous system
* Meditation and breathwork - Counteract anxiety and depression * Massage and acupuncture - Release muscle tension * Support groups - Share experiences with other women
* Stick to consistent bed/wake times * Limit blue light exposure before bed * Keep bedroom dark, quiet, and cool * Consider blackout curtains
* Annual well-woman exam with pap smear * Regular mammograms * Ongoing bone density and cholesterol checks
Renew Hormone Clinic helps patients implement personalized action plans across nutrition, fitness, stress relief, sleep, and preventative screening to assist hormone therapy results and support better wellbeing during menopause.
For those in the Port Arthur area looking to take charge of health during menopause, there are fantastic local businesses we recommend connecting with:
* AnyLabTestNow - Convenient lab draws with rapid results * Life Extension Foundation Lab Services - Comprehensive hormone panels
* Urban Float - Sensory deprivation tanks for ultimate stress relief * Massage Heights - Therapeutic massage and skincare * Core Yoga - Variety of beginner yoga classes
* Green Spot Kitchen and Juicery - Cold pressed juices and clean eats * The Sorellina Downtown - Farm-to-table Italian cuisine * Sake Sushi Bar - Fresh sushi and seafood
These are just a few of the phenomenal wellness-focused businesses and services available regionally to support women navigating menopause. The experienced practitioners at Renew Hormone Clinic also provide referrals to licensed mental health professionals, fitness trainers, sleep specialists, and other allied providers based on each woman's personalized needs and health goals.
Conclusion
Menopause is a major transition accompanied by numerous changes affecting women's health and quality of life. Through world-class lab testing, advanced hormone optimization protocols, and integrated lifestyle guidance, Renew Hormone Clinic helps patients find relief from concerns like hot flashes, mood changes, sexual health symptoms, and risks for conditions like osteoporosis.
We specialize in long-term management before, during and after menopause - crafting bespoke treatment plans aimed at reducing symptoms and empowering women to take charge of their vitality. With individualized clinical and emotional support, the transition into menopause and beyond can be exceptionally smooth. We encourage anyone with questions or seeking care to reach out to our friendly team today to learn more and get started on the path to better wellbeing.