Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life when her menstrual cycles stop permanently and she can no longer become pregnant. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transition time can start several years before menopause and last up to one year after a woman's final period.
Common signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause include:
The process is considered complete when a woman has not had her period for 12 months in a row. At that point she has reached menopause. The average age for menopause is 51, but it may happen anywhere between the ages of 40 and 58.
Some key things to understand about this transition time:
Hormone changes - As the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, these fluctuations can influence physical and emotional changes
Individual experience - No two women have the exact same experience with menopausal symptoms
Lasts for years - Perimenopause and its symptoms may begin years before menopause itself
Medical risks appear - Heart disease, bone loss, mood changes, and other issues may establish without proper treatment
Managing this transition is vital for ensuring continued good health and quality of life. At Vitality Hormone Center, we specialize in individualized care plans to help patients address changes and risks during perimenopause and beyond.
Using professional menopause treatment in Irmo can provide substantial benefits for physical, mental, and emotional health during this transition:
Seeing an endocrinologist specializing in menopause ensures you receive care targeted to your needs for this transition and beyond.
The first step in developing an effective menopause treatment plan is determining what hormone levels need balancing. We utilize advanced testing to pinpoint deficiencies, including:
Understanding a patient’s hormone balance is the foundation for developing treatments that will successfully manage symptoms. We take the time to thoroughly diagnose hormone imbalance and understand lifestyle factors with comprehensive lab testing.
There are a variety of menopause treatment options that can provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms. The best approach involves customizing from the following therapies and lifestyle changes:
Description: Sudden rush of warmth spreading through body, with skin redness and sweating that can be especially disruptive at night
Treatment Options:
Description: Declining estrogen causes thinning vaginal walls and dryness leading to irritation, infections, bleeding, and pain
Treatment Options:
Description: Loss of tissue tone can cause incontinence, urgency to urinate, recurring infections
Treatment Options:
Description: “Brain fog”, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating/recalling words, trouble sleeping
Treatment Options:
We will closely monitor and adjust treatment plans until hormone balance is restored and symptoms are successfully managed.
Choosing the proper menopause specialist is crucial for navigating this transition with success. Look for the following credentials and experience:
Our clinicians check all these boxes for expert menopause treatment. As leading menopause specialists in Irmo, we have the proven skill to help women balance their hormones for better living.*
The Vitality Hormone Center provides specialized care for hormone balance issues. Our menopause doctors offer customized programs using the latest testing, bioidentical hormones, supplements and lifestyle planning tailored to the unique needs of each patient.
* Dr. Jane Smith, MD - Reproductive endocrinologist with specialty certification in menopause management
* Dr. Theresa Chen, MD - Internist and endocrinologist focused on balancing hormone changes in aging
* Health coaches - Guide patients on nutrition, exercise, mind-body therapies
Vitality Hormone Center has helped thousands of women smoothly transition into menopause and beyond with our individualized treatment plans. Contact us for a consultation to see how our menopause experts can help you achieve balanced hormones and better wellbeing.
