Menopause is a natural transition that most women experience as they reach midlife, marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. The hallmark of menopause is when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months and no longer ovulates. Perimenopause refers to the transitional stage leading up to menopause when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and decline.
The average age of menopause is 51, but it can occur from the mid-40s to mid-50s due to many factors. As a woman approaches menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone start to vary significantly, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and emotional changes. While menopause symptoms can disrupt daily living, the care team at The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic provides individualized treatment plans to help women navigate "the change" and thrive.
It's important to understand the breadth of menopause symptoms to seek appropriate care when needed. Common signs and symptoms include:
For most women, menopause symptoms gradually improve after "the change". However, the changes accompanying menopause have long-term health impacts to monitor:
"menopause specialist" know how to mitigate these long-term health risks through comprehensive lab testing, lifestyle counseling, bioidentical hormone optimization, and coordinated specialty care.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) provided by the The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic care team replenishes depleted hormone levels to relieve unpleasant symptoms and protect long-term health after menopause.
Made from plant sources, bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones naturally made by the ovaries. This allows them to bind to receptors and work optimally in the body. The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic providers customize balanced BHRT plans based on each woman's needs and lab results instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
BHRT helps stabilize hormones to alleviate frustrating menopausal concerns:
In addition to symptom relief, balanced bioidentical hormones offer protective health benefits:
Estrogen and testosterone therapies remain controversial for some aspects of women's health like breast cancer risks or cardiovascular disease. "menopause clinic" teams carefully evaluate each woman's unique risks and benefits when designing therapy plans.
The first step in developing a customized menopause treatment plan is meeting with one of the knowledgeable healthcare providers at The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic for Levelland-area women.
Because hormonal changes vary considerably among women, the The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic team begins care with thorough lab testing to evaluate woman's hormone levels including:
Appropriate follow-up testing continues periodically to ensure treatment efficacy and safety while on therapy.
"doctors who treat menopause" at The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic thoughtfully assess lab results, medical history, risk factors, and lifestyle considerations when designing customized therapeutic regimens which may include:
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic providers collaborate with each woman to develop plans targeting her unique menopausal health needs and concerns.
"menopause specialist" know supportive lifestyle changes further help women manage menopausal transitions and feel their best while on therapy:
The compassionate The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic team provides resources and referrals to reinforce healthy lifestyle changes.
What sets apart the The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic is the level of individualized care, access, and experience Levelland-area women receive from our award-winning providers.
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic Menopause Center provides a warm, welcoming environment right in the heart of Levelland making care comfortable and convenient for neighborhood women. Onsite services include:
By coordinating specialty care under one roof, The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic streamlines the process so Levelland women get the efficient care they deserve.
With advanced fellowship training in anti-aging and regenerative medicine, Dr. Cynthia White leads the The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic menopause care program. Her expertise includes:
She collaborates with a team of nurses, nutritionists, counselors, and specialists who share her whole-body approach to midlife transitions.
Most importantly, The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic prioritizes the doctor-patient relationship through open communication, shared decision-making and ongoing fine-tuning of treatment plans based on how a woman feels on therapy. Women are empowered to take an active role in their care.
Levelland women experiencing menopause know The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic has the expertise, resources and passion to guide them through "the change" safely. Contact us today to learn more and get started!
Many women are unaware that weight-bearing exercise like walking or lifting weights helps prevent bone loss during menopause by stimulating bone growth. Just 30-60 minutes 3 times a week can make a big difference in reducing risk of osteoporosis later in life. Maintaining muscle strength and balance through exercise also helps prevent falls and fractures.