Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. The years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, is the time when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and decline. This leads to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.
While menopause is inevitable, the symptoms do not have to significantly disrupt daily life. Hormone therapy (HT) can help provide relief by replacing the hormones that the body no longer makes enough of on its own. When administered correctly under medical supervision, hormones can help women feel like themselves again.
At Balanced Hormone Clinic in Corpus, we specialize in evidence-based, cutting-edge hormone treatments tailored to each woman's individual needs. With an endocrinologist menopause specialist on staff, we stay up-to-date on the latest menopause research and treatment options. We believe in working as partners with our patients to determine the best path forward for their health and quality of life.
The most common treatment for menopause symptoms is hormone therapy using estrogen and progestogen. Estrogen therapy (ET) replaces estrogen to relieve hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Progestogen therapy is needed to balance the estrogen for any woman who still has her uterus, to prevent uterine cancer. There are several ways to take hormones including pills, skin patches, gels and creams, vaginal rings, and more.
Other Options for Menopause Symptom Relief
For women unable or choosing not to take hormone therapy, we provide alternative options like:
Some women may try herbal supplements like black cohosh, but evidence on effectiveness and safety is lacking compared to conventional hormone therapy or prescription drugs. Dietary soy contains weak plant-based estrogens that may help relieve mild hot flashes in some women as well. We can advise on navigating different options.
Recognizing the signs of perimenopause and menopause is the first step to seeking treatment. Symptoms usually start in a woman's mid-40's but can begin earlier or later. An endocrinologist specializing in menopause can perform blood tests and thoroughly evaluate hormone levels to determine where a woman is at in the menopause transition.
Key hormones we test include:
Thyroid and other hormones影响影响 can also be evaluated to rule out any issues. Tracking symptoms and getting follow-up blood tests helps us determine if hormone therapy is working well. We collaborate with local labs in Corpus Christi to make testing convenient.
Key Takeaway: Diagnosing hormone changes is crucial for determining appropriate menopause treatment timing and options. Our menopause specialist physicians have extensive training in hormone testing and interpretation.
The goal of hormone therapy is relieving disruptive short-term symptoms like hot flashes to improve quality of life. When initiated within 6-10 years of menopause onset, research supports hormone therapy for up to 5 years. Potential benefits beyond symptom relief include:
However, as with any medical therapy, there are some risks to consider:
Our specialized endocrinology team stays current on the latest research to maximize benefits and minimize risks of hormone therapy on an individual basis. Treatment plans are tailored for each patient. We also provide thorough education and monitoring.
Corpus Christi offers a warm, seaside climate that can be enjoyed all year round - perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation during menopause. Our clinic provides compassionate care guided by current hormone therapy recommendations from major medical societies like the Endocrine Society and North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
Our board-certified endocrinologists have specialized fellowship training in reproductive hormones, including:
We also collaborate with top regional experts in fields like gynecology, cardiology, breast health, dermatology, sleep medicine. From hormone treatment to comprehensive care, our goal is optimizing health and wellbeing during the menopausal transition and provide telehealth visits for convenient virtual care options as well.
In addition to hormone therapy, we empower women with education and support. We understand the physical and emotional toll of menopausal symptoms, from hot flashes to pain with intimacy to worries about heart health or memory. We listen sensitively and guide patients to the best solutions for their needs.
Corpus Christi has a strong sense of coastal community centered around the beautiful beaches and waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors and residents can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, birdwatching, and walking or biking along miles of shoreline. There is vibrant dining, shopping, culture and arts as well. When menopause symptoms occur, it's hard to take advantage of what this lovely city offers. We help women reclaim their lives with proper treatment.
For those traveling outside Corpus for specialized menopause care, there are wonderful wellness destinations that cater to women focused on health, rejuvenation and community. Nearby options we recommend checking out include:
Studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as effective as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in managing troublesome menopause symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and mood changes. CBT helps women change negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies to improve their outlook and quality of life during this transition.
Given the hormonal fluctuations involved, perimenopause and menopause can be confusing times for women. Symptoms often start gradually and progression varies dramatically among individuals. Because of unpredictable cycles, some women may not even realize they are transitioning towards menopause already. And the wide variety of possible symptoms like headaches, mood swings, trouble focusing, weight gain, joint pain can have other causes as well.
This is why being attentive to changes and getting properly assessed is so essential. At Balanced Hormone Clinic, our best menopause doctors provide state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment to help women enjoy life to the fullest, without disruptive symptoms interfering. We offer convenient telehealth appointments with quick turnaround times for new patient visits.
Catching and addressing hormone deficiencies early on prevents progression to more debilitating health consequences like:
In addition to physical effects, we know the cognitive, psychological and emotional impacts of menopause really diminish quality of life when left untreated. From memory and focus problems to depression, anxiety and reduced motivation, our compassionate doctors consider it all.
At Balanced Hormone Clinic, timely and evidence-based hormone therapy helps Corpus Christi women thrive through menopause comfortably. We also set patients up with proper long term preventative care given individual risks. Our goal is avoiding preventable illness and empowering patients to pursue what brings them joy.
This article outlines key information on menopause treatment including:
