Menopause signals a natural transition in a woman's life, marking the end of menstrual cycles. The years leading up to menopause are referred to as perimenopause, when hormone levels become irregular but a woman still experiences her period.
The age when menopause occurs varies for each woman. In the United States, the average age is 51. Menopause typically happens between the ages of 45 and 55.
Symptoms arise from shifting hormone levels. They may include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and urinary symptoms like infections. Every woman experiences menopause differently. Lifestyle choices can impact symptoms too.
While a natural part of aging, addressing menopausal symptoms helps to ensure better health and wellbeing. Understanding changes that happen during perimenopause and menopause enables women to make informed choices about their care.
Getting an accurate menopause diagnosis is the first step to accessing the right treatment plan. At Balance Hormone Clinic in Northfield, we offer comprehensive lab testing to pinpoint where a woman is on her menopause journey.
Key tests check levels of:
Undergoing menopause lab testing provides objective data about what is happening in the body. This informs personalized plans to find relief.
Our compassionate clinicians understand the roller coaster of changes associated with perimenopause and menopause. We create customized care plans to help women regain balance, health and vitality during this transition.
No two women go through menopause the same way. After thorough lab testing and evaluation, our clinicians determine the best protocols to address each woman's specific symptoms. This includes natural options and bioidentical hormone therapy when appropriate.
Hot flash remedies may include hormone balancing, supplements, medication, lifestyle changes, or alternative approaches like acupuncture. We tailor solutions to the root causes behind why hot flashes happen.
Vaginal dryness impedes sexual health for many women. We provide prescription and over the counter solutions to resolve discomfort.
Sleep struggles often accompany shifting hormones during menopause. We identify any hormone imbalances or other issues contributing to insomnia or restless nights. Support may range from hormone corrections and oral supplements to sleep hygiene techniques and stress reduction.
Mood instability happens often in perimenopause and menopause. We pinpoint associated hormone changes and craft treatment plans that target anxiety, irritability, sadness and other emotional challenges.
Cognitive changes during menopause sometimes feel alarming. Difficulty concentrating, "brain fog" and memory lapses frequently respond well to balancing key hormones linked to brain health.
Joint aches and pains also crop up during menopause. Identifying and addressing inflammatory hormone imbalances helps ease these symptoms. We also provide diet and lifestyle strategies focused on reducing inflammation that aggravates joint issues.
The wide variety of remedies in our menopause symptom relief toolkit means we can troubleshoot the most distressing issues for each woman. Our goal is to optimize quality of life throughout perimenopause and beyond.
Balance Hormone Clinicians specialize in hormone balancing care for women transitions through perimenopause into menopause. We offer cutting edge hormone therapy approaches to quell symptoms and support optimal aging.
Bioidentical hormone therapy (or BHRT) involves prescribing plant-based hormones engineered to match the exact chemical structure of hormones made in the female body. This gives women an advantage over conventional menopause hormone therapy. Bioidentical hormones fit receptors properly to restore balance efficiently with fewer risks. Common bioidentical hormones used are progesterone, testosterone and estradiol.
Another option is compounded hormone therapy. Our onsite compounding pharmacy custom blends hormone combinations to match each woman's needs based on lab testing. Adjusting ratios and doses systematically helps dial in what works best for the individual.
We also incorporate helpful medication and supplements as needed to achieve full symptom relief. The range of menopause treatment modalities we offer means we can pinpoint optimal solutions for frustration issues stemming from menopausal hormone changes.
Balance Hormone Clinic provides comprehensive support for all aspects of women's health during midlife transitions and beyond. In addition to specialized menopause medical care, we offer a holistic perspective focused on foundations of health.
Nutritional guidance identifies any dietary changes that help balance hormones and reduce unpleasant menopause symptoms. Eating plans aim to control blood sugar, curb inflammation, support detoxification and provide key micronutrients that facilitate healthy hormonal shifts.
Lifestyle coaching empowers women to make sustainable improvements that enhance hormone health. Stress management, proper sleep habits, regular movement and pleasure-boosting activities all help stabilize shifting hormone levels.
We also address the emotional impact of perimenopause and menopause through counseling and support groups. Connecting with others going through similar challenges is tremendously helpful.
Balance Hormone Clinic wants to make navigating menopause as smooth and empowering as possible for our patients. We provide the solutions women need to move through this transition with ease.
Getting the right menopause care relieves frustrating symptoms that disrupt health and quality of life in midlife and beyond. It also delivers significant long term benefits in terms of reduced disease risks.
For most women, declining hormone levels after menopause increase dangers like heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. Research shows properly administered hormone therapy significantly curbs risks by preventing complications such as:
In fact, women in early menopause who take hormone therapy have lower mortality rates. Data also links hormone therapy started before age 60 to improved brain health and sharpness later in life.
The North American Menopause Society confirms hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms and deterring long term health issues when applied properly. Monitoring through testing and exams ensures safe use. Our clinicians stay current on the latest research about optimal hormone solutions.
The bottom line is supporting women through perimenopause and menopause with specialized care provides better outcomes now and decades down the road. We focus on helping patients make the most of midlife.
Navigating intense and often relentless menopausal symptoms steals quality of life when left unchecked. In addition to future disease prevention, properly addressing issues now allows women to live fully and feel their best at a prime time of life.
With individualized treatment plans, most women find great relief from troublesome symptoms. Vaginal dryness, disrupted sleep, hot flashes interrupting daily life and work, concentration lapses, and painful sex all resolve with appropriate solutions.
Reclaiming restful sleep, sharp focus, stable moods, and vibrant sexuality makes this life stage infinitely more enjoyable. Women reconnect with partners, families, friends and themselves when bothersome symptoms no longer dominate daily experiences.
While transitional seasons like perimenopause and menopause bring challenges, self care helps women emerge stronger and healthier. We equip patients with the tools they need to thrive as they move into the second half of life.
"Many women going through menopause find relief from symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques like paced breathing and cognitive restructuring. CBT can be as effective as hormone therapy for some women, with fewer side effects."
What sets Balance Hormone Clinic apart is our steadfast commitment to specialized personal care for women throughout all stages of life. We bring together top clinicians and cutting edge solutions under one roof for streamlined, integrated care.
Our Clinicians
Dr. Jane Smith leads our clinicians in menopause management and healthy aging care for women. She is a board certified OBGYN with an additional menopause certification credential. Known as a national thought leader in women's midlife transitions, Dr. Smith trains other physicians and speaks at conferences worldwide. Her books and programs empower women to embrace perimenopause and menopause through practical, positive lifestyle strategies. With over 20 years supporting women across 1000's of menopause journeys, patients describe Dr. Smith's care as "life changing". Her breadth of expertise in female hormones and nuanced troubleshooting ensures women find solutions even for the most stubborn symptoms.
Marie Johnson, ANP, serves as Dr. Smith's right hand clinician seeing menopause patients daily. Her background includes 7 years working in Dr. Smith's specialty women's health clinic. Marie's listening ear, compassion and wealth of experience ensure all who work with her feel heard, understood and supported. She creates caring connections that inspire women on their self care journeys.
We also offer mental health support from skilled counselors trained specifically in women's midlife transitions and empowerment techniques. Patients find encouraging this support invaluable.
Cutting Edge Solutions
In addition to our extraordinary clinicians, Balance Hormone Clinic delivers every possible solution under one roof for patient convenience. Our onsite amenities include:
We also partner with hand picked wellness providers in the community from counselors to yoga studios for ongoing care. This means patients access exceptional holistic care with ease.
Start Your Menopausal Health Journey Today
Our clinicians look forward to helping you uncover renewed energy, resilience and vitality during this transition and beyond!
