Menopause changes the body in ways women never expect.
One day you are sleeping normally and thinking clearly. Then suddenly you’re waking up drenched in sweat at 2am. Your mood changes quickly and you feel tired even after resting.
These symptoms are not just “aging”. They are caused by changing hormone levels. That’s where menopause hormone therapy comes in. It’s an accessible treatment option for uncomfortable symptoms experienced by women.
In this article, we’ll discuss how menopause hormone therapy helps replace hormones like estrogen and progesterone – hormones that naturally decline during menopause.
For many women, menopause hormone therapy treatment can reduce symptoms and improve daily life. But menopause hormone therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here is everything you need to know on how it works, who it helps and what risks to consider.
What is Menopause Hormone Therapy?
Menopause hormone therapy is a medical treatment used to relieve symptoms caused by menopause. During menopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. These hormones affect many important systems in the body including sleep, mood, body temperature, metabolism, bone strength and vaginal health.
At Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness, we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This is considered a more natural hormone replacement therapy as the hormones are chemically identical to the ones women’s bodies produce.
When hormone levels drop, symptoms that women experience include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Vaginal dryness and pain during intimacy
- Low energy
- Reduced bone density
Menopause hormone therapy works by restoring some of these hormones to help stabilize the body. This means that menopause can become an easier, stress-free transition.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
An effective form of menopause hormone therapy is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). This is a fully personalized treatment process that supports your transition through menopause.
This may be the best hormone therapy as treatment plans are more flexible than standard options. Additionally, these hormones are designed to exactly match the ones your body naturally produces so treatment often feels more in sync with your needs with potentially less bothersome side effects.
This form of menopause hormone therapy can be delivered through:
- Pills
- Skin patches
- Creams
- Gels
- Injections
Our menopause hormone expert is able to tailor menopause hormone therapy to your unique symptoms and lifestyle.
How Effective is Menopause Hormone Therapy?
Menopause hormone therapy is usually highly effective for dealing with symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.
Research shows that hormone therapy may improve symptoms including:
- Sleep quality
- Vaginal dryness
- Bone health
- Urinary symptoms
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, menopause hormone therapy can improve your overall quality of life.
You may even notice that some of your symptoms begin to stabilize within weeks. Ultimately, menopause hormone therapy can make everyday activities feel manageable again.
Who Should Consider Treatment?
If these symptoms are interfering with your daily life, menopause hormone therapy could be right for you.
Here’s a quick checklist to go through if you’re considering starting hormone therapy.
Are your symptoms affecting:
- Sleep
- Work performance
- Relationships
- Mental focus
- Emotional wellbeing
- Physical comfort
Sound familiar? If your menopause journey hasn’t been smooth sailing, consulting with Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness’ hormone expert is the first step to reducing the symptoms in your life.
Who Should Avoid Menopause Hormone Therapy?
Menopause hormone therapy is rarely absolutely contraindicated. Most women can undergo menopause hormone therapy safety.
In rare cases, it may not be recommended for women with certain medical conditions. This may include women with:
- Active stroke
- Active blood clot
- Active liver or gallbladder disease
- Active breast cancer
- Known or suspected estrogen-dependent cancers
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Certain cardiovascular conditions
However, some women with a history of these health issues may still be able to safely and successfully undergo menopause hormone therapy. Don’t forget, it’s important to discuss your health and health history with your healthcare provider. Menopause hormone therapy requires an in-depth and nuanced discussion so you can explore individual benefits and risks.
Lifestyle Changes That Support Treatment
Menopause hormone therapy works best when combined with consistent lifestyle changes. These can support overall hormonal and metabolic health.
These lifestyle changes can also be implemented by women who are unable to undergo menopause hormone therapy.
While medication can reduce symptoms, daily routines play a powerful supporting role. Many women find that small, steady changes make menopause hormone therapy more effective and easier to tolerate.
Exercise
Exercising regularly is imperative especially as menopause reduces bone density and muscle mass. A mix of walking, strength training and light cardio can help to strengthen muscles and reduce muscle loss.
Diet
Eating enough protein, fiber and calcium to support energy and bone health is vital. However, it can also be helpful to reduce alcohol intake as this can worsen hot flashes and disrupt sleep. Smoking can also intensify menopause symptoms so limiting smoking can create a positive change.
Here are some high protein foods that you can add to your everyday diet:
- Eggs
- Fish and lean meats
- Greek yogurt
- Tofu
- Legumes
- Nuts
Sleep and Stress
Prioritizing rest and sleep can also play a major role in reducing menopause symptoms. A consistent bedtime routine, journaling, reading or doing breathing exercises before sleep is recommended. Including these in your routine not only supports sleep but also reduces stress from the day.
Social Connection
Maintaining strong social connections with friends, family or support groups can also improve your mood during menopause. It can reduce feelings of isolation and provide emotional support.
Lastly, don’t forget to make time for yourself and indulge in regular self care! Relaxing and enjoyable activities support emotional well-being and balance mood changes during menopause.
Overcoming Menopause Symptoms in Oak Park
Awareness around menopause hormone therapy is growing. This means that research for menopause hormone therapy is geared towards safe treatments, personalized dosing and long-term outcomes.
For many women, menopause hormone therapy is an effective medical treatment that improves comfort, sleep, focus and quality of life. It may be able to do the same for you.
Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness offers personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. These treatments help women deal with disruptive symptoms in the most natural way possible.
Book in a consultation with our hormone expert so you can ask questions, understand your options and feel confident about optimizing your treatment!