The transition into menopause, medically termed the perimenopause, starts for most women in their late 40s to mid 50s. It is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. During this time, women experience changes in hormone levels, specifically dropping estrogen and progesterone, leading to symptoms.
Some key things to know:
While menopause is natural, the symptoms can significantly disrupt quality of life. Hormone replacement therapy can provide relief through:
At Wellness Hormone Clinic, our compassionate providers craft personalized hormone therapy plans to target each woman's unique needs. We also offer lifestyle coaching and community referrals. Read on to learn why timely treatment is so important and how our Fort Mohave clinic can help you thrive through menopause.
The extent and severity of menopause symptoms varies widely between women. They range from mild to quite disruptive of everyday function. Below we describe common signs, outlook without treatment, and risks if left unmanaged long-term:
Vasomotor symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats. They result from fluctuating estrogen interacting with the hypothalamus, the body's temperature control center. While infamous as the menopause stereotype, not all women get them.
Effects if untreated: - Persistence for years post-menopause - Chronic sleep loss and associated health issues - Embarrassment doing everyday activities
Declining estrogen also leads to changes in vaginal tissue health. Known as atrophy or dryness, this manifests as:
If severe atrophy continues: - Higher risk of urinary tract infections - Discomfort and avoidance of intimacy - General emotional distress and poor body image
Many perimenopausal and postmenopausal women have mood symptoms like anxiety, irritability, low motivation and fatigue, and depressed mood. The causes are complex but include:
Over years, this can increase odds of: - Clinical anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder - Social isolation and relationship strain - Poor work performance or losing jobs
In the years beyond perimenopause, declining estrogen raises dangers of other health issues:
Careful monitoring and preventative care is key for lowering risks. Osteoporosis screening should start at menopause. Cardiovascular markers may need medication. Healthy lifestyle changes also help greatly.
The breadth of menopause transition symptoms makes clear why treatment is so important for most women. At Wellness Hormone Clinic, we make relief of suffering our first priority through individualized care.
As top experts in hormone therapy, our practitioners carefully evaluate each woman's full health profile before creating customized treatment plans. We stay on top of the latest medical research to inform evidence-based protocols utilizing:
Your plan is then fine-tuned through follow-up checks until realizing full symptom relief. We also guide patients on additional steps they can take through lifestyle, mental healthcare, and community resources.
Our goal is empowering patients to reclaim comfort and thrive through the menopause process into their later years. We've supported over 500 Fort Mohave women through rewarding transformations. Read testimonials from our patients below.
Since all women experience menopause differently, we conduct thorough assessments before designing treatment plans. This section explains our step-by-step process:
Your first appointment will be an extended visit with one of our nurse practitioners. We cover topics like:
You'll then describe current symptoms and their life impacts, which we document for later review. We also discuss goals and expectations for treatment.
Blood and other tests allow measuring current hormone levels and tracking future changes. We typically check:
Other patients need testing for things like blood counts, metabolic factors, cardiac risks, or nutrient levels.
We next perform a physical exam checking basics like heart health and BMI. Breast and pelvic exams look for any issues needing attention before hormone therapy.
Our nurse practitioner then analyzes all collected data along with the lead physician, Dr. Cynthia Morris. They outline an initial treatment plan to discuss with you, along with suggestions for further lifestyle optimization.
Many women going through menopause find relief from symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings through cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT helps women identify and change negative thought patterns related to menopause, promoting a more positive attitude toward this natural transition.
With your approved plan, we can finally start actualizing relief through customized hormone balancing. We use an incremental method that is carefully monitored, including:
Bioidentical estradiol is the cornerstone of postmenopausal hormone therapy. Made from plant extracts, these molecules are exact structural matches to human estradiol. We offer oral tablets, topical gels and creams, vaginal inserts, and subcutaneous pellets dosed by weight.
Starting doses establish a foundation blood level alleviating hot flashes, sleep disruption, and vaginal atrophy. We later adjust to resolve any breakthrough symptoms. Patients also need ongoing endometrial monitoring.
Estrogen requires a counterbalancing progesterone dose protecting the uterine lining. We again use bioidentical molecules and vary delivery method by need.
Progesterone has added benefits, as it stimulates bone building while having anti-anxiety and sleep-promoting effects. The optimal dose reduces any estrogenic mood instability.
While mistakenly thought of as only a male hormone, testosterone plays essential roles in women's health as well. We frequently check levels, as low testosterone can cause low libido, fatigue, and cognitive issues.
Bioidentical testosterone gels or pellets can provide major benefits. We carefully dose to achieve benefits without increasing masculinization. Ongoing checks ensure staying in the optimal range.
Low thyroid function exaggerates common menopause symptoms while resisting other treatment. We screen all patients, using thyroid medication if indicated. Optimal metabolic health assists overall wellbeing.
Certain supplements further help counter symptom causes. For example, black cohosh, vitamin E, and sea buckthorn oil aid vasomotor regulation. Chasteberry helps stabilize mood. We suggest useful options without risky interactions.
Hormones form only part of our treatment philosophy. We help patients implement further research-backed steps: - Nutrition - Meal plans to control weight, lipids, etc. - Exercise - New regimens to reduce risks and boost energy - Stress relief - From yoga to counseling for anxiety/depression - Education - Menopause process insights to reduce worries
Small improvements in multiple areas compound to make major positive impacts. We empower women to seize control of their wellbeing.
To help patients fully engage with counseling, community activities provide needed motivation and accountability. We suggest these great local establishments:
We also partner with mental health providers, internists, and specialists should other needs arise. Please ask us for referrals.
For reader's reference, we are located centrally at:
Wellness Hormone Clinic 555 Estrogen Way Fort Mohave, AZ 86426
Drs. Cynthia Morris and Malik Simmons lead our experienced nurse practitioner team. We accept most major insurance plans.
To learn more or schedule your first visit: - Email appointments@ - Browse
Wellness Hormone Clinic - Helping Women Bloom Through Menopause