A menopause specialist is a doctor who specializes in treating women going through menopause. As women approach menopause, their bodies undergo changes that can result in uncomfortable symptoms. A menopause specialist has extensive training to help women manage these symptoms and transition smoothly.
The most common symptoms that bring women to a menopause clinic include:
A menopause doctor can provide both short-term symptom relief and long-term treatment plans.
To diagnose menopause, the best menopause specialists perform:
They determine if symptoms are caused by menopause or other conditions.
| Test | What it measures | Menopause indication |
|---|---|---|
| FSH | Ovarian function | FSH > 30 mIU/mL indicates menopause likely |
| Estradiol | Estrogen levels | Low levels associated with menopause symptoms |
| AMH | Ovarian reserve | <0.08 ng/mL indicates low reserve |
Measuring hormone levels over time gives the most accurate menopause diagnosis.
Choosing an experienced menopause expert at a clinic like Vitality Wellness Center offers significant benefits:
With their expertise, menopause specialists help women thrive through the changes of menopause.
For women with moderate to severe menopause symptoms, hormone therapy (HT) can provide relief. Types of HT include:
The goals of HT are to:
The menopause clinic provides more details on HT options they offer further down.
In addition to medical treatment, menopause experts recommend women make certain lifestyle adjustments for optimal wellness:
With comprehensive treatment plans, women are empowered to take charge of their menopause journey.
At Vitality Wellness Center, we specialize in helping women smoothly transition into menopause and beyond. Our compassionate doctors leverage the latest research and treatments to develop customized plans for each patient. We consider the "whole woman" - mind, body, and spirit - not just hormones. If you're struggling with menopause, we offer hope and healing.
For women experiencing menopause difficulties, determining the right treatment begins with correctly diagnosing any hormone imbalances.
Our menopause experts measure levels of key hormones using blood and/or saliva tests. We look at reproductive hormones like:
as well as stress hormones like cortisol.
Based on test results and symptom evaluation, we identify patterns like:
We then tailor treatment using bioidentical hormones and other therapies to restore optimal balance.
At Vitality Wellness Center, your hormone health is our top priority. We take the time to accurately assess your individual situation, not rely on a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Our cutting-edge functional medicine testing provides the information we need to customize effective treatment for you.
For women seeking relief from troublesome menopause symptoms, Vitality Wellness Center offers comprehensive treatment plans that may include:
We also prescribe:
We help women thrive through menopause with cutting-edge medical therapies and holistic healing.
Vitality Wellness Center is home to top menopause experts in the field. We stay current on the latest advancements and procure best-in-class technology like our MonaLisa Touch® laser. Most importantly, we treat each woman with care, respect, and compassion. If you're suffering, come experience the Vitality Wellness Center difference.
For women with moderate to severe menopause symptoms not relieved by lifestyle measures, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective treatment option. At Vitality Wellness Center, we predominantly use "bioidentical" hormones sourced from plant compounds. Some key points about bioidentical HRT:
The ultimate choice depends on the woman's needs and preferences. Our menopause specialists help patients make the right choice.
Table: Bioidentical Estrogen and Progesterone Options
| Formulation | Route | Frequency | Main Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estradiol | Oral; transdermal patch/gel; vaginal cream/tablet | Daily cyclical; continuous combined | Natural; flexible dosing |
| Estrone | Oral | Less potent than estradiol | |
| Estriol | Oral; vaginal cream | Cyclical or daily | Less likely to cause hyperplasia |
| Progesterone | Oral; transdermal cream/gel | Natural bioidentical; metabolite helps sleep, mood, memory | |
| Progestins | Oral; transdermal | Synthetic progestogens; low cost |
Our goal is to significantly improve quality of life using the optimal hormones and delivery methods for the individual.
Finding the right hormone therapy protocol takes expertise and patience - balancing symptom relief with patient safety and comfort. At Vitality Wellness Center, our doctors have years of experience navigating these complexities so you have the best possible outcome.
Many inaccurate beliefs persist about menopause and hormone therapy, causing women distress and discouraging treatment. As menopause experts, we want to debunk these myths!
Myth: Menopause symptoms are "normal", just endure them
Fact: Significant menopause suffering is NOT normal. Safe medical and complementary therapies are available to help women feel better as hormone levels shift.
Myth: Hormone therapy causes breast cancer
Fact: Recent research exonerates hormone therapy. Bioidentical estrogen progesterone do NOT increase breast cancer risk in most women when started under age 60 or within 10 years of menopause.
Myth: Hormone therapies have dangerous side effects
Fact: Bioidentical HT and lower medication doses make therapy safer. Our doctors carefully consider health history to minimize risks.
Myth: Lifestyle changes are enough to manage menopausal problems
Fact: For severe symptoms, exercise and stress reduction alone cannot override hormonal causes. Medical treatment is often needed for optimal relief.
Myth: Once you start, you have to remain on hormones forever
Fact: As women transition past the menopause window, bothersome symptoms often subside. The duration of therapy can be finite for many women.
Don't let misconceptions deprive you of achieving wellness! We separate menopause facts from fiction.
The field of menopause medicine has seen remarkable growth in treatment options over the past decade. At Vitality Wellness Center, we stay abreast of the latest advancements that can benefit our patients.
One area of particular progress is hormone delivery methods - offering women convenient, patient-friendly ways to get needed estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA. Some to highlight:
Transdermal patches - thin patches applied to the skin release hormones directly into the bloodstream. Estrogen patches include:
Vaginal inserts - tablets, creams, or softgels inserted in the vagina supply localized doses to tissue. Products like Imvexxy® and Intrarosa® effectively treat common urogenital problems without raising systemic hormone levels.
Pellets - bioidentical hormones compressed into very small capsules are placed under the skin through a quick in-office procedure. Pellets slowly dissolve, lasting several months to deliver steady hormone.
Oral capsules - estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, and progesterone taken as a capsule or tablet orally remain viable options in certain clinical scenarios. We thoughtfully determine with patients which application method best suits her needs and lifestyle. This expansive selection allows truly individualized therapy.
While hormone treatment offers the most direct way to stabilize menopausal symptoms, making certain lifestyle adjustments provides additional benefits:
Nutrition
Improving diet not only nurtures the body through transition but also supports hormone therapy results. We advise emphasizing: - Whole, unrefined carbohydrates - fruits, vegetables, whole grains - Lean proteins - fish, chicken, plant-based - Healthy fats - olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds - Staying well-hydrated - 2-3 liters of water daily
Exercise
Routine activity like cardio, strength training, and stretching keeps the body conditioned. Exercise helps modulate hormone impacts and lift mood through endorphin release. We recommend 30 minutes daily.
Stress Modulation
Learning to relax activates the parasympathetic nervous system to counterbalance stress chemistry. This relieves anxiety, improves sleep and concentration. Useful modalities include deep breathing, meditation, yoga, massage, and regular vacation time.
While leading women through menopause transformation, we concurrently inspire healthy habits for optimal vitality.
Menopause is a natural transition that can be managed effectively with the right support and care. At Vitality Wellness Center, our team of menopause specialists is dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalized treatment plans to help women navigate this phase of life with confidence and ease. By combining the latest advancements in hormone therapy with lifestyle recommendations and holistic approaches, we empower women to thrive during and beyond menopause. If you're experiencing menopausal symptoms, don't hesitate to seek our expert guidance and experience the transformative difference at Vitality Wellness Center.
