Menopause marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility due to natural decreases in estrogen and progesterone production. The average age of menopause is 51, but it can occur from 40-55 years old.
As estrogen levels decline, many women experience uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and more. These can significantly impact quality of life if left untreated.
Hot flashes involve sudden feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest. Night sweats and sleep disturbances often accompany hot flashes.
Vaginal atrophy causes dryness, irritation, itching, and painful intercourse. Over time the vaginal walls can become thin and inflamed without sufficient estrogen.
Urinary symptoms like urgency, increased frequency, and incontinence can also develop during menopause.
Mood changes are common, including anxiety, irritability, depression, trouble focusing, and reduced motivation.
Other issues may include hair thinning, weight gain, headaches, joint pain, palpitations, bloating, and loss of breast fullness.
The severity and duration of menopausal symptoms varies significantly between women. Genetics, lifestyle factors, and the speed of hormonal changes impact individual experiences.
Declining estrogen long-term also increases risks for osteoporosis, heart disease, and other issues like diabetes and dementia.
Osteoporosis causes bones to become frail and prone to fractures. This greatly increases the chance of breaking a bone from a minor fall as we age.
Cardiovascular disease risk increases after menopause as well. Estrogen offers protective effects on arteries and cholesterol balance in women.
Managing menopausal symptoms and long-term health via hormone therapy is crucial. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it tends to be.
Hormone therapy (HT) can provide immense relief by replacing depleted hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Regulating hormones reduces troublesome menopausal symptoms so women can sleep better, stop hot flashes, improve mood, regain interest in intimacy, and more.
HT also:
In the past, overly oral estrogen-only HT was linked to some health risks. But modern bioidentical hormone therapy using creams/gels and a balance of estrogen AND progesterone does not carry the same risks.
When HT is started within 6-10 years of menopause, the benefits clearly outweigh potential side effects. Treatment can continue for years until around age 60-65 for optimal safety and health.
"Bioidentical" refers to plant-based hormones that match the molecular structure of hormones made in the human body. This allows receptors in the body to recognize and utilize them more efficiently.
The most common bioidenticals used are estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and sometimes melatonin or thyroid hormone (T3/T4).
In contrast, non-bioidentical or "synthetic" hormones have man-made molecular structures. Common examples are ethinyl estradiol, progestins like Provera, and testosterone analogues.
While cheaper, synthetic hormones are not as well tolerated due to molecular differences. This prompts more side effects.
Vital Hormones Clinic specializes in custom-compounded bioidentical hormone therapy for women and men. We believe bioidenticals provide safer, more comfortable, and effective treatment options.
If menopause symptoms are negatively impacting your life, make an appointment with Vital Hormones Clinic to explore hormone therapy.
First we'll have an in-depth conversation about your menstrual and health history, specific symptoms, lifestyle and wellness goals, etc.
Any prior blood tests can provide helpful hormonal context, but additional testing is usually needed to design an optimal treatment plan.
Comprehensive lab testing measures levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormone, melatonin, insulin, and more. This paints a clear picture of hormonal balance and areas needing support.
Blood, saliva, urine or gentle cheek swab tests can be used. Testing takes just a few minutes and samples are processed by specialized Labs.
Some women worry hormone therapy seems "unnatural," but keep in mind your body made ample estrogen and progesterone pre-menopause. HT simply restores what declining ovaries no longer supply.
Test results help our practitioners tailor custom cream or gel combinations of bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and others for your unique needs.
We'll also provide lifestyle and dietary recommendations to help optimize hormonal health from the inside too. Simple supplements like magnesium, adaptogens, etc. can provide substantial relief when combined with bioidentical hormones.
Follow-up testing evaluates progress and guides medication adjustments. Most women feel much better within a few weeks with this comprehensive approach.
Once an effective regimen is established, managing hormone therapy only requires quick check-in visits 1-2x yearly. We want this to be an empowering, educational partnership.
Yearly monitoring also ensures proper hormone dosing as needs can change with aging. Staying on too high a dose for too long can increase health risks.
Pellet therapy that releases consistent low hormone doses for 3-6 months at a time offers a "set it and forget it" maintenance option as well.
Bottom line: We strive to provide compassionate care, equip women with knowledge, alleviate discomfort, and enable thriving during menopause and beyond!
Our experienced practitioners have supported thousands of patients with expert hormone therapy and functional medicine for over 15 years.
We know the complexities of hormones and nuances that produce optimal treatment responses. A combination of cutting edge science, proven protocols, close monitoring, and caring support leads to the best results.
Allow us to help guide you through testing, develop a custom treatment plan using high quality compounded medications, make diet and nutrition recommendations, collaborate closely, and modify dosing appropriately over time.
We empower patients with education on hormonal changes so you understand what's happening inside your body. This allows for greater reassurance and peace of mind too.
At Vital Hormones Clinic we view menopause as an opportunity - not a burden! Restoring hormonal deficiencies can propel women into new chapters of life feeling healthier, happier, and more vibrant than their 30s and 40s!
Many women going through menopause find relief from symptoms with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques like mindfulness meditation and yoga. These non-pharmacological approaches can help reduce hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances for some women without medication side effects.
The Gulf Coast’s warmth and abundant sunshine provides a therapeutic backdrop supporting hormone therapy.
Relaxing beach walks nourish body, mind and soul amidst beautiful scenery. The ocean breeze and negative ions also promote vitality.
Seasons: HT can provide benefits all year in Galveston, but late Fall through Winter offers cooler more comfortable weather conducive to starting treatment. Once hormonal levels stabilize, symptoms tend to be less bothersome in Summer too.
Community: This close-knit island town offers charm along with modern amenities. Excellent medical care, shopping, dining, museums, recreation, events and more provide plenty to do while prioritizing self-care.
The slower pace invites restoration. Yoga studios, massage, acupuncture and counseling services abound to address needs holistically.
Lab Testing Sites: Local labs like Quest and LabCorp offer quick, convenient blood and urine testing services in multiple locations across Galveston island and the Houston metro area.
At-home test kits from specialty labs like ZRT allow for salivary hormone testing in the privacy of home as well.
Fitness & Community Centers: The Galveston Island Community Center, LA Fitness, municipal pools, private gyms, boutique studios, recreational clubs all provide engaging ways to exercise, find support, and stay active while optimizing hormones.
Dining: Seafood restaurants craft the local catches of the day into delicious dishes across the island. The Strand Historic district downtown overflows with bistros, grills, cafes and sweet shops to please every palate.
Hormone therapy can spark big appetites, so be sure to sample Galveston’s vibrant cuisine!
Most women begin feeling results within 1-2 weeks, but maximum benefits accrue over 2-3 months as optimal levels build.
There are few medical concerns with bioidentical HT when properly dosed and monitored under a practitioner’s guidance. Estrogen and testosterone prescribed without balancing progesterone does pose greater risk.
Many plans cover lab testing and practitioner visits. Compounded bioidentical creams/gels cost $30-60 monthly depending on components and dose. Pellet therapy costs more due to procedural fees.
Recent research found starting HT within 6 years of menopause and continuing until around age 60 provides excellent safety and health benefits for most women.
Yes! We also treat men with Low T and provide testosterone replacement therapy tailored to restore optimal vitality, sexual health, fitness and wellbeing.
