Menopause Explained: Understanding Symptoms, Treatments, and Long-Term Wellness

Introduction

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, typically occurring around age 51, when menstrual periods stop permanently. This natural phase can bring challenging symptoms that impact quality of life, but effective treatments are available to help you thrive.

Menopause

At MD Total Wellness in Brea, CA, we specialize in individualized care to alleviate menopause symptoms and support overall health. Led by Allison Mollet, PA-C, a certified menopause specialist, our team provides compassionate guidance to help you navigate this transition with ease.

Understanding Menopause

Menopause is defined as the point when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, signaling the end of ovarian function (North American Menopause Society, 2022). It usually happens between ages 45 and 55, with an average age of 51 in the United States. During menopause, hormone levels decline significantly, leading to various physical and emotional changes. Unlike perimenopause, which involves fluctuating hormones, menopause represents a stable low-hormone state (Santoro et al., 2021). Common signs include the absence of periods, but symptoms may persist or evolve from those experienced earlier.

Common Symptoms of Menopause

The drop in hormones during menopause can cause a range of symptoms that affect daily life. These may include:

While some women experience mild symptoms, others find them highly disruptive. Early intervention can provide symptom relief and prevent long-term health issues like osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease.

Managing Menopause with Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) is a proven approach to restoring hormonal balance using compounds identical to those produced by the body. Customized BHT often includes estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, adjusted based on your unique profile to relieve symptoms effectively (Files et al., 2011). This therapy addresses the root cause of menopausal symptoms by replenishing depleted hormones.

The Advantages of BHT

Choosing BHT offers numerous benefits for symptom relief and long-term health:

  • Estrogen and progesterone reduce hot flashes and night sweats, improving sleep and daily comfort (Manson et al., 2013).
  • Balanced hormones help stabilize emotions and enhance mental clarity (Epperson et al., 2015).
  • Estrogen alleviates vaginal dryness and urinary issues, enhancing intimacy and reducing infection risk (Portman et al., 2014).
  • BHT initiated soon after menopause can decrease osteoporosis and cardiovascular risks (Hodis et al., 2016).
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  • BHT, particularly testosterone, boosts energy, libido, and muscle maintenance, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle (Davis et al., 2019).
  • BHT supports skin elasticity, hair health, and metabolic function, helping you maintain youthfulness (Shifren, 2018).

Research indicates BHT can provide these benefits with a favorable safety profile compared to synthetic alternatives (Holtorf, 2009).

Administration Methods for BHT

BHT is tailored to your preferences and needs, with various delivery options:

  • Available as transdermal patches, gels, creams, vaginal inserts, subcutaneous pellets, or injections. Non-oral forms are preferred to minimize clotting risks (Smith et al., 2014).
  • Generally prescribed as oral capsules to safeguard the uterus and aid sleep (Prior, 2018).
  • Delivered via creams, gels, injections, or pellets. Oral forms of testosterone are generally not used (Glaser & Dimitrakakis, 2013).

Addressing Misconceptions About Hormone Therapy

The 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study highlighted risks with synthetic hormones, including slight increases in breast cancer and heart issues, leading to widespread caution (Rossouw et al., 2002). However, reanalyses and newer studies show that bioidentical hormones, especially when started early, do not carry the same risks and likely even protect against certain conditions (Fournier et al., 2009; Manson et al., 2020). Experts now endorse BHT for symptomatic women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause, emphasizing benefits over risks (Stuenkel et al., 2015). Since bioidentical options aren’t patentable, they receive less pharmaceutical promotion, and less use by our healthcare system, but evidence supports their use (Cirigliano, 2007).

Navigating Treatment Challenges

Optimizing BHT requires patience, as individual responses vary. Factors like lifestyle, genetics, and co-existing conditions influence outcomes, necessitating ongoing adjustments. A knowledgeable provider is essential to refine your regimen and monitor progress through symptoms and labs (Pinkerton & Santoro, 2015).

Expert Care at MD Total Wellness

At MD Total Wellness in Brea, CA, we offer comprehensive menopause management with personalized BHT plans. Allison Mollet, PA-C, MSCP, brings specialized expertise to create treatments aligned with your goals. Our offerings include:

    • There is no-one-size-fits-all approach to BHT. We tailer personalized plans based on your labs, goals, symptoms, and preferences.
    • We provide ongoing follow-up and monitoring to optimize your therapy and get your “hormone footprint” right.
  • In addition to bioidentical hormone therapy, we offer sexual health treatments, peptide therapy, supplement injections, advanced hair restoration, and GLP-1 weight loss.

Empower Your Menopause Journey

Embrace menopause as a new chapter—don’t let symptoms hold you back. Schedule a free consultation with Allison Mollet, PA-C, MSCP, at MD Total Wellness in Brea, CA, to reclaim your vitality and safeguard your future health.

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