Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age, marking the end of the reproductive years. The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen anytime between the ages of 45-55. As estrogen levels decline, women may experience symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, trouble sleeping, and more. The good news is that at Hormone Harmony in Bountiful, we offer customized menopause treatment plans to help women ease through this transition and hormone replacement therapy options to help them feel like themselves again.
The years leading up to menopause are known as perimenopause. This is when estrogen levels start to fluctuate and decline, which can last anywhere from 2-8 years. Some women barely notice the changes while others find their symptoms quite disruptive to daily life. Common symptoms include:
Menopause treatment can help mitigate these symptoms and improve quality of life. Hormone Harmony provides comprehensive care with an integrative approach. Our knowledgeable healthcare providers partner with each woman to develop a customized treatment plan based on her unique needs and health profile.
Many women find immense relief from menopausal symptoms through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). These prescriptions contain estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones chemically identical to those made naturally in the body. BHRT can:
The risks associated with traditional synthetic hormone replacement do not apply to bioidentical hormones. Our practitioners carefully evaluate each patient and prescribe low doses to match her individual hormone levels and needs. We provide several delivery methods:
Oral - Hormone pills or tablets that are swallowed
Transdermal - Hormones absorbed through the skin via patch, gel, or cream
Vaginal - Localized treatment with creams, tablets or rings
Pellet therapy - Tiny hormone pellets inserted under the skin lasting 3-6 months
Follow-up testing helps us optimize and adjust the treatments over time for continued safety and efficacy. Patients notice a significant improvement in symptoms within weeks.
While hormone therapy can provide tremendous relief, we also educate patients on lifestyle approaches to ease this transition:
An unexpected finding from recent research is that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for managing troublesome menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. CBT helps women change negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. This low-risk approach avoids the side effects of hormonal therapies.
Some women hesitate to seek treatment because they believe menopause symptoms are just an inevitable part of aging. But there's no need to suffer in silence! Beginning treatment at the first sign of perimenopausal changes can:
We encourage women to schedule a consultation if they notice irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep issues, or other possible perimenopause changes. Our compassionate practitioners will provide a thorough evaluation and create a personalized treatment plan.
The providers at Hormone Harmony have extensive training in treating women's hormone imbalances. We stay up to date on the latest research and best practices in menopause medicine and bioidentical hormones. Our goal is to empower women to thrive through this transition and beyond.
We take time to understand each woman's health history and lifestyle to make thoughtful recommendations. Ongoing follow-up and communication allow us to continually optimize and adjust care. We also coordinate with each patient's other healthcare providers for a unified approach.
After diagnostic testing, we explain the results and collaborative create an individualized treatment plan. We'll schedule follow-up visits to monitor progress, adjust dosages, and ensure your continued health and wellbeing.
- Irregular/missed periods- Hot flashes- New PMS symptoms- Increased fatigue- Vaginal dryness- Changes in libido- Mood changes like irritability or anxiety- Trouble sleeping
We check hormone levels with blood and urine tests. FSH, estradiol, and AMH levels can indicate declining ovarian function. Thyroid tests help rule out other causes of symptoms. We also consider your reported symptoms and menstrual cycle changes.
Most women can benefit from HRT, but it requires a thorough evaluation of your health history and risk factors. We'll discuss options like bioidentical estrogens, progestins, testosterone, DHEA, and more. Ongoing monitoring helps optimize safety and results.
Bioidentical hormones have a chemical structure identical to those your body produces. Synthetic hormones are chemically altered, which can increase side effects. Bioidenticals are plant-based with lower risks.
Most women notice improvements in major symptoms like hot flashes within 1-2 weeks. But maximum benefits for energy, sleep, mood, and sexual health can take 2-3 months as optimal levels are reached. The timeline varies based on the delivery method.
We schedule regular follow-up visits to assess your progress and symptoms. Blood tests also help us make sure levels are ideal as your needs change. Don't hesitate to call if you experience side effects or if symptoms worsen.
