Menopause treatment Cerritos, CA - Hormone Harmony

Why Menopause Occurs

Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. It occurs when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate menstrual cycles. There are a few reasons why this happens:

• Ovarian aging - As women age, their ovaries start to run out of viable eggs. With fewer viable eggs, the body produces less estrogen and progesterone.
• Loss of ovarian follicles - Women are born with about 1-2 million ovarian follicles, each containing an immature egg. This number declines to about 1,000 around the time of menopause. With fewer follicles, less estrogen is produced.
• Fluctuating hormones - Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) fluctuate and eventually get too high, signaling the ovaries to stop producing estrogen.

The decline in estrogen is primarily responsible for the symptoms of menopause. Keep reading to learn about the common symptoms and ways to manage them.

Common Symptoms of Menopause

The shift in hormones causes a variety of symptoms that can significantly impact daily life. Here are some of the most common menopause symptoms:

• Hot flashes - Sudden sensation of warmth spreading through the body, often with sweating and flushing of the skin. Can range from mild to severe.
• Vaginal dryness and pain - Declining estrogen causes the vaginal tissue to become thinner, drier, and more prone to irritation. This can make sexual activity painful.
• Mood changes - Estrogen plays a role in serotonin production, so declining levels can lead to symptoms like depression, anxiety, irritability.
• Trouble sleeping - Fluctuating hormone levels can disturb sleep cycles and cause insomnia. Night sweats are also common.
• Fatigue - Shifting hormones can cause general fatigue, especially when sleep is impacted.
• Bladder issues -Loss of tissue elasticity due to lower estrogen levels can cause urinary urgency or incontinence.

The severity and duration of symptoms is different for each woman. Lifestyle habits like diet, exercise, sleep and stress management can help ease symptoms. But more severe cases may require medical treatment for relief.

Menopause Treatment Options

Hormone Harmony offers a comprehensive array of menopause treatment options to help patients find the right solutions for their needs:

Lifestyle Changes

Simple lifestyle adjustments can help manage mild menopause symptoms:

• Healthy diet - Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein to provide important nutrients. Avoid spicy foods that trigger hot flashes.
• Regular exercise helps improve mood, energy and sleep.
• Stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, counseling can ease anxiety and depressive symptoms.
• Good sleep habits - Keep bedroom cool, reduce alcohol and caffeine, take warm baths before bed.
• Quit smoking - Smoking exacerbates hot flashes and health risks.

Medications

If lifestyle changes aren't providing enough relief, medications may be recommended:

• Antidepressants - Low doses can help reduce hot flashes and mood symptoms for some women.
• Gabapentin - Anticonvulsant that may lessen frequency and severity of hot flashes.
• Clonidine - Blood pressure medication that can relieve hot flashes and night sweats.
• Vaginal Estrogen - Estrogen administered directly to vaginal tissue can relieve dryness and pain during sex.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy (HT) replaces estrogen and progestin at lower levels than the body made prior to menopause. Benefits include:

• Reduces severity and frequency of hot flashes and night sweats
• Treats vaginal symptoms to improve sexual comfort
• Prevents bone loss to help avoid osteoporosis
• Improves mood and sleep problems for some women

At Hormone Harmony, we provide cutting-edge bioidentical hormone therapy tailored to match each woman's hormone needs, metabolisms and lifestyles. These therapies use plant-based hormones identical to human hormones to minimize risks.

We also offer synthetic hormone therapy options with traditional estrogen and progestins. Our menopause doctors will determine which type of HT is right for each patient.

Determining the Need for Treatment

To determine if treatment is needed, women should track symptoms and their impact on quality of life. It's a good idea to get hormone levels tested annually after age 40 to assess changes. Common tests include:

• FSH - Measures follicle stimulating hormone levels
• AMH - Anti-müllerian hormone indicates ovarian reserves
• Estrogen - Helps determine estrogen production

Based on clinical evaluation, lab results, and symptom tracking, our menopause experts will create a personalized treatment plan. We take the time to explain options and partner with patients to meet treatment goals.

Optimizing Treatment Results

To achieve the maximum benefits from menopause treatment, we advise patients to:

Have Realistic Expectations

• Therapy helps manage symptoms, but may not completely eliminate them
• Effects are gradual - it takes 2-3 months to notice improvements
• Dosages may need to be adjusted over time to keep symptoms in check

Take Treatments Consistently

• Take medications and use creams as directed
• Don't skip or alter hormone therapy doses
• Track symptoms and inform doctor about progress

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

• Follow a nutritious diet with fruits, veggies, lean protein
• Exercise regularly - walk 10000 steps daily
• Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
• Learn stress management techniques
• Strive for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night

Menopause Treatment in Cerritos

Cerritos provides a comfortable setting to transition through menopause. The sunny climate means women can stay active and energized year round. Stroll along the Cerritos Towne Center outdoor mall to shop, dine and catch a movie. Burn off stress conquering scenic hikes at nearby Skane Nature Preserve. Try tai chi, yoga and other mindfulness practices offered at local gyms and wellness centers.

Our Hormone Harmony office provides a serene, spa-like atmosphere ideal for recharging while receiving treatment. We develop customized therapies meeting each patient's unique needs, goals and preferences. With our compassionate, patient-centered approach, we empower women to take charge of their health during this transition.

Don't struggle with disruptive menopause symptoms - take control by contacting Hormone Harmony today to start personalized treatment. Our experienced menopause specialists are here to listen and craft solutions so patients can continue thriving during this next chapter of life.