Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they reach midlife. It refers to the point when a woman stops having her monthly menstrual periods, signaling the end of fertility. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, when hormone levels become irregular but a woman can still get pregnant. On average, women reach menopause around age 51 in the United States.
The decline and fluctuating hormone levels that occur during perimenopause and menopause can lead to various symptoms. These may include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, mood changes like irritability or anxiety, difficulty focusing, weight gain, and more. Some symptoms persist for years after menopause as well. Additionally, the estrogen decline associated with menopause can contribute to bone loss and heart disease risk.
To diagnose menopause, doctors typically evaluate a woman's symptoms and hormone levels over time. There is no single test to confirm menopause. However, blood tests measuring levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol can help determine where a woman is in the menopausal transition.
FSH levels above 30 to 40 mIU/mL are generally a sign that ovarian function is declining. Meanwhile, estradiol levels below 50 pg/mL often indicate postmenopause. Doctors may also test thyroid hormone, testosterone, and other hormone levels for a comprehensive picture.
Tracking symptoms in relation to menstrual cycles can also aid diagnosis. Once a woman has gone 12 months without a period, she has reached menopause. However, perimenopause with irregular cycles can last for years beforehand.
For women struggling with moderate to severe menopause symptoms, visiting a menopause specialist for treatment can help provide relief as well as protect long-term health. Many women are able to manage with lifestyle changes alone. But for those still suffering with hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, sleep disruption, bone loss, heart concerns, and other issues, medical treatment may be warranted.
Hormone therapy (HT) is the most effective treatment option for menopausal symptoms. Many women turn to over-the-counter supplements first. But carefully prescribed hormones like low-dose estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and others can more directly target menopausal problems at the source - the hormone imbalance.
Beyond symptom relief, managing menopausal hormone levels also plays a key role in women's future health. Estrogen helps maintain bone density, while testosterone contributes to lean muscle mass retention. HT may lower heart disease and diabetes risk as well. By preventing excessive bone loss and cardiovascular decline associated with menopause, treatment today sets the stage for healthy aging.
At New Beginnings HRT Clinic in Scarsdale, New York, we specialize in individualized menopause treatment to help women navigate this transition with grace. Our clinic is led by top menopause experts and hormone specialists focused on optimizing patients' wellbeing during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.
Our clinical team includes board-certified endocrinologists and OBGYNs with extensive training in menopause care and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We pursue regular professional education to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field.
Each practitioner holds certification as a menopause practitioner (CMP) from the North American Menopause Society. This rigorous credential requires demonstration of expert knowledge in assessing and managing menopausal health.
Our compassionate, attentive staff provide comprehensive treatment tailored specifically for each woman's needs. We listen carefully and seek to understand the full context of patients' health histories, lifestyles, symptoms and goals when creating customized care plans.
New Beginnings HRT Clinic offers a full spectrum of traditional and natural treatment options to relieve menopause symptoms and support long-term wellness after menopause.
Hormone therapy forms the cornerstone of our treatment protocols. We use carefully calibrated bioidentical hormones like estradiol, progesterone and testosterone to restore balance. Compounded in creams, pills, patches and pellets, these sustain levels similar to those produced naturally in younger years. Outcomes are carefully monitored through follow up visits and blood tests.
For those desiring a more natural approach, we also prescribe pharmaceutical grade compounded hormones from botanical sources like yams, soybeans and wild yams. These biologically identical plant hormones offer similar benefits. We can incorporate these into custom topical creams or oral capsules to meet each patient's needs.
Beyond hormone therapy, we offer additional treatment options such as prescription medications or supplements to address specific symptoms: - Antidepressants - for anxiety, depression, hot flashes - Gabapentin - for hot flashes and insomnia - Vaginal moisturizers/lubricants - for painful sex - Vaginal estrogen creams - for vaginal atrophy - Clonidine - for hot flashes - Probiotics - for vaginal health
Lifestyle counseling on diet, exercise, stress management and more also complements medical treatment plans. Our goal is always to empower women to take charge of their health during this transitional time of life.
Getting appropriate treatment without delay can make a significant difference for women struggling with perimenopause or menopause. The years surrounding this transition set the stage for decades to come in terms of wellbeing. Taking action quickly improves quality of life now while laying the foundation for healthy aging.
For many women, moderate to severe hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sexual pain and sleep disruptions make daily life uncomfortable during menopause. Anxiety, irritability and difficulty concentrating may erode emotional wellbeing. Swift treatment alleviates these issues, restoring comfort.
Estrogen and testosterone therapy during the menopausal transition also promotes long-term health. Maintaining bone density reduces fracture risk down the road. Supporting cardiovascular and metabolic function lowers likelihood of future heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Prioritizing menopausal health today pays dividends later on.
Research indicates that hormone therapy works best when initiated early on, as women first start experiencing hormone fluctuations or menopause symptoms. Treatment may be less effective when estrogen levels have been very low for a prolonged period.
Starting therapy within 6-36 months of the final menstrual period provides maximum benefits for symptom reduction and long term health according to recent studies. So seeking help sooner rather than later is wise.
In addition to medical treatment, certain lifestyle measures can also ease this transition and support wellness during and beyond menopause. We educate and empower patients to implement positive strategies. Key areas we address include:
A balanced, nutrient-dense diet provides the building blocks for managing hormones and coping with stress during menopause. Key recommendations include:
Exercise helps regulate hormones, manage weight, support bone density, boost mood and relieve stress. We advise incorporating both cardio and strength training most days of the week. Excellent options accessible locally include:
Managing stress is key during hormonal shifts. Helpful local resources for relaxation include:
Prioritizing self-care protects emotional health when hormones fluctuate. We offer referrals to therapists for those experiencing anxiety or depression as well. Supporting all facets of wellness helps women thrive through menopause.
Studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as effective as hormone therapy at managing troublesome menopause symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and mood changes. CBT helps women identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to menopause, providing lasting skills to cope with this transition.
If you are a woman over age 45 beginning to experience menopausal symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at New Beginnings HRT Clinic for an evaluation. Identifying appropriate treatment to match your individual needs is key. We are dedicated menopause specialists focused on your care before, during and beyond this transition.
We have morning, afternoon and weekend appointments available to accommodate your schedule.
During your initial 60 minute visit, we will:
Follow up visits every 3 months in the first year ensure optimal treatment results. We can modify therapy over time to match changing needs.
New Beginnings HRT Clinic welcomes you as a partner in health. Call today to take the first step feeling your best through menopause and beyond!
