Menopause treatment Interlachen, FL - Renewal Center

Understanding Menopause

Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through, marking the end of the reproductive years. The average age for menopause in the United States is 51, but it can happen anytime between the ages of 40-58.

Defining Menopause

• Menopause is diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 full months without a period. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, where hormone levels begin to decline.
• The main sign of menopause is changes in menstruation. Periods may become irregular, heavier, or lighter before stopping altogether.
• Other common menopause symptoms include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and urinary issues. These occur due to shifting hormone levels.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Menopause occurs due to the ovaries producing less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Egg follicles decline in number and quality.
• On average, menopause happens between ages 45-55. Early menopause before age 40 may be caused by surgery, chemotherapy, autoimmune disorders, or unknown factors.
• Smoking and family history are risk factors for earlier menopause. Women who have their uterus/ovaries removed surgically will experience sudden menopause.

Long-Term Effects

• After menopause, women are at higher risk for health issues like osteoporosis and heart disease since estrogen has protective effects.
• Vaginal dryness and painful sex are common long-term effects due to lower estrogen. Urinary health also tends to decline over time after menopause.
• Hot flashes may continue for several years. Insomnia, night sweats, and emotional changes can also persist without treatment.

Hormone Testing is Crucial

Getting a full picture of your hormone levels through blood, saliva, or urine tests is key to customizing an effective menopause treatment plan.

Why Testing Matters

• Hormone changes vary significantly from woman to woman. Testing helps identify deficiencies in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and other hormones.
• It reveals how much natural hormone production is still occurring and what levels need to be supplemented. Blood tests can measure Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) to estimate remaining egg follicles.
• Testing determines optimal hormone therapy doses, formulas, and methods of delivery (oral, pellet, injectable, vaginal, or topical) for each patient.

What to Test For

• Testing typically involves blood tests, sometimes combined with saliva/urine tests for a complete picture.
• Key hormones tested include estradiol (estrogen), progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, T3, T4 (thyroid), FSH, LH, and SHBG. Vitamin D and cortisol may also be assessed.
• Annual or semi-annual follow-up testing helps ensure treatment plans remain customized as hormone levels continue to change.

Where to Get Testing

• At Renewal Center our providers order extensive specialized hormone panels and closely review results to optimize treatment.
• The clinic partners with accredited national labs as well as providing in-house blood draws and testing for convenience.

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHT)

Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as hormones produced by the human body. BHT replenishes hormones at optimal levels to relieve symptoms and promote better health during and after menopause.

What are Bioidentical Hormones?

• The term "bioidentical" means the hormones match what the ovaries and adrenal glands would naturally produce.
• They may be derived from yams or soy plants and modified to be identical to human estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, etc.
• Compounded bioidentical hormones can be customized based on each woman's deficiencies and needs.

Formulations and Delivery Methods

• Available formulations: pills, topical creams, vaginal inserts/suppositories, injectables, subdermal pellets, patches, and gels.
• Pellet therapy - tiny pellets implanted under the skin - offers steady hormones over 4-6 months.
• Vaginal treatments deliver localized relief while oral or patch hormones treat total body systems.
• Short-acting options allow for easy adjusting of doses. There are both synthetic and bioidentical options.

Safety and Effectiveness

• Multiple major studies found bioidentical estrogen and progesterone increase quality of life while protecting long-term health when used properly.
• Mayo Clinic researchers concluded bioidentical hormones relieved menopause symptoms with no unusual side effects and lower risks than traditional hormone therapy.
• The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and other leading institutions now support bioidentical hormone therapy for menopausal women.

Menopause Treatment Protocols

There is no standardized formula or protocol for menopause treatment due to hormone changes being highly individualized. However, best practices include customized bioidentical hormones combined with nutrition and lifestyle solutions.

Initial Consultation

• In-depth review of health history, detailed symptom questionnaires, thorough lab testing, and discussion of lifestyle factors.
• Objective data informs the creation of a personalized treatment plan targeting optimal balance and comfort during this transition.

Follow-up Process

• Schedule follow-up blood tests at 4 weeks and 8 weeks, then every 4 months in the first year to ensure proper hormone metabolism and ideal levels.
• Adjust formulations or doses based on patient feedback and bloodwork until symptom relief and good health markers are achieved and maintained.
• Annual monitoring helps sustain treatment effectiveness long-term. Communicate about any new symptoms or changes in existing symptoms at Follow-ups.

Role of Lifestyle Factors

• Support hormone therapy with nutrition guidance from our on-site dietician, sleep hygiene recommendations, stress reduction techniques, and fitness coaching.
• Healthy diet, exercise, stress management and targeted nutritional supplements maximize therapy results.
• Stop smoking for multiple menopausal health benefits like prevention of weight gain and bone loss. Limit alcohol which can negatively impact hormone balance.

Experience and Expertise

The providers at Renewal Center have an outstanding history helping women gracefully transition through menopause with our integrative care model.

Why We Excel at Menopausal Support

• We opened in 2008 with an early focus on bioidentical hormones for women going through perimenopause and menopause.
• Our practitioners have over 30 years' collective experience finely tuning hormone therapy protocols tailored to fit patients' unique needs and changes over time.
• We offer a full range of traditional and innovative pharmaceutical treatment options along with proven complementary techniques and nutrition guidance.

Standout Aspects of Our Facility

• Along with our pleasant, state-of-the-art Interlachen clinic, we provide mobile blood draws and nurse visits for care convenience.
• We house an on-site compounding pharmacy to create customized bioidentical hormones rather than outsourcing through typical pharmacies.
• Patients appreciate our warm, collaborative approach focused on their priorities and participation in care choices that honor their culture and values.