Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life when her period stops permanently and she can no longer get pregnant. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During this transition time, levels of estrogen and other hormones fluctuate and start to decline. Every woman experiences menopause differently.
Many women have mild symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and trouble sleeping. More severe symptoms like anxiety, depression, brain fog, and low libido can also happen and seriously impact quality of life.
There are also long term health risks to consider like osteoporosis and heart disease if menopause hormones are out of balance for too long. That's why timely treatment tailored to your unique needs can make a big difference.
Getting blood tests to measure levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol can help diagnose when menopause starts. Repeat testing may be needed to confirm you are postmenopausal. Tracking symptoms and changes in your period are also important.
Seeing a healthcare provider who specializes in menopause and hormone therapy will help navigate this transition. Endocrinologists, gynecologists, and naturopaths can be great resources. Certified menopause practitioners have advanced expertise.
An experienced menopause specialist will take time to understand your unique situation and symptoms. They can then develop a tailored treatment plan just for you including lifestyle changes, herbal supplements, bioidentical hormones and more.
Estrogen therapy, including pills, patches, gels and creams can be very effective at relieving hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It also has bone, brain, and cardiovascular benefits when started in early menopause.
For women with a uterus, adding progestogen therapy protects the endometrium from overgrowth that can lead to cancer. Both natural progesterone creams and oral progestins like Provera are options.
Testosterone and DHEA therapy can help boost libido, energy levels, muscle mass and mood. Options include gels, pills and sublingual tablets. Care is taken to avoid excess levels.
Compounded bioidentical hormones are custom blended based on your doctor’s prescription to match your individual hormone needs. Doses can be easily adjusted over time as needs change.
Follow-up blood tests and doctor’s visits every 6 months make sure hormone therapy continues to be tailored to your body and that you aren’t at risk for side effects. Contact your doctor sooner if unexpected symptoms develop.
Eating a vitamin and nutrient dense whole foods diet with produce, nuts and seeds, whole grains and plant-based proteins protects overall health during menopause and beyond. Limit processed foods and added sugars.
Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate cardio and 2 strength training sessions. This protects bone, heart and brain health. Walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and strength training are great options. Yoga and Pilates build balance and core strength too.
Practices like meditation, deep breathing, journaling, massage and spending time outdoors help activate the body’s relaxation response and lower stress hormones. Get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly.
Over-the-counter water or silicone-based lubricants and moisturizers help relieve vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex. Prescription vaginal estrogens can also help when lubricants aren’t enough.
Herbs like black cohosh, maca, red clover and vitex agnus castus may help hot flashes, libido and mood swings but clinical evidence is limited. Quality matters so consult your healthcare provider before starting supplements.
Many women are surprised to learn that perimenopause, the transition period leading up to menopause, usually lasts 4-8 years. During this time, hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably, which can cause symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and mood changes. Knowing this longer timeframe for the menopausal transition helps women understand what's happening in their bodies and plan their self-care accordingly over an extended period.
We specialize in naturopathic hormone balancing using a wide range of lifestyle changes and treatment options tailored to your unique needs. Support for body, mind and spirit helps women transition through menopause with grace.
Our state-of-the art lab uses saliva, blood and urine testing to measure hormone and other biomarker levels for precision diagnosis and personalized treatment plans. Repeat testing tracks progress.
Our clinics are staffed by dual board-certified doctors in naturopathic and integrative medicine who trained at top medical centers like Mayo Clinic and have 20 years clinical experience helping women balance hormones.
Work closely with our on-site compounding pharmacists to create completely customized bioidentical hormone preparations including estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and more to match your body’s needs.
In addition to expertly prescribed hormones, a wide range of holistic therapies like clinical nutrition, mindfulness practices, acupuncture, and pelvic floor physical therapy provides comprehensive support.
Reasons for Hormone Decline
Hormone levels can start to decline in perimenopause and menopause for several key reasons:
Required Hormone Testing
Diagnosing hormone imbalance requires testing key hormones using blood, urine, or saliva samples.
Blood tests measure overall circulating hormones like estradiol, testosterone and DHEA sulfate providing an invaluable big picture snapshot.
Getting a salivary hormone profile tracks the interplay between estrogen, progesterone and cortisol throughout your monthly cycle revealing subtle imbalances affecting symptoms.
Customized treatment plans address specific hormone deficiencies or excesses uncovered through testing while also considering lifestyle factors for whole person care.
How Hormone Therapy Works
There are two main ways hormone therapy helps relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness while also protecting long term health:
Estrogen therapy replaces what the ovaries no longer make, eliminating deficiency at the cellular level. Adding progestogen as needed protects the uterus. Even small increases restore balance reducing excess cortisol, supporting energy, mood, memory, heart health, and bone density.
Androgen therapy like testosterone activates key receptors keeping libido, energy, lean tissue mass, and neuroprotective benefits optimal. Brain, pelvic floor, and sexual health all depend on responsive androgen receptors.
Working closely with a menopause specialist to tailor dosing, delivery methods and routine testing ensures you stay in a healthy range long term without side effects. Contact us today to learn more about our personalized hormone balancing programs.
Recommendations for Pasadena
Pasadena offers wonderful recreational opportunities to support health during menopause including:
Huntington Gardens - Stroll through lush botanical gardens or take a relaxing gondola ride around the lake.
Rose Bowl - Walk or jog the 3.1 mile loop around the stadium from sunrise to sunset.
YogaWorks - Take classes like candlelit restorative yoga to reduce stress.
Burke Williams Spa - Pamper yourself with massage, facials and therapeutic baths.
True Food Kitchen - Try the anti-inflammatory diet with fresh, nutritious global cuisine.
Pasadena gets over 300 days of sunshine each year making it ideal for outdoor activities year round. Cooler temperatures October through April are often easiest for new hormone therapy patients adjusting to changes in hot flashes or night sweats.
We have partnered with local labs, compounding pharmacies, pelvic floor physical therapists, fitness centers and more to provide comprehensive care during your hormone balancing treatment. Let us help guide each step of your journey!
