Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they reach middle age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause and can start 8-10 years before menopause when hormone levels begin fluctuating erratically.
Key changes during perimenopause and menopause include:
While menopause is a normal part of aging, managing symptoms can be challenging which is why finding the right menopause specialist is so important. At Vitality Hormone Clinic in Port Lavaca, our endocrinologists and menopause experts have extensive training in hormone therapy and holistic approaches to help women transition through menopause comfortably.
The most common menopausal symptoms associated with declining estrogen levels include:
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and last for months up to years depending on the individual. Tracking your symptoms and talking to your doctor can help determine the best treatment approach.
In addition to bothersome symptoms affecting quality of life, estrogen deficiency after menopause is associated with several long-term health consequences:
Menopause care focuses both on relieving symptoms in the short-term and reducing health risks over time. Our clinic provides comprehensive testing, screening, counseling and personalized treatment plans to meet each woman's needs during the menopausal transition and beyond.
Menopause hormone therapy (MHT), including estrogen alone or combined estrogen/progestin, is the most effective treatment for relieving hot flashes and night sweats. When symptoms are moderate to severe and impacting quality of life, the benefits of short-term hormone therapy often outweigh the risks for most healthy women under age 60.
Additional benefits shown in research include:
Our experienced menopause specialists stay up-to-date on the latest evidence-based guidelines to determine if hormone therapy is appropriate for your individual situation. The lowest effective dose is used for the shortest amount of time to manage symptoms. We also provide comprehensive monitoring to ensure treatment safety.
There are a variety of FDA-approved hormone therapy preparations including pills, skin patches, gels/creams and vaginal inserts. The route of administration, dosage, and specific medication components can be customized to your needs and preferences.
Estrogen therapy relieves hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal symptoms effectively. Estrogen alone is prescribed if you've had a hysterectomy. Options include:
Combination therapy with estrogen plus progestin protects the uterine lining in women with a uterus. Various regimens are available:
We guide you through the different preparations to determine which formulation and dosing schedule may work best for your menopause symptoms and medical history.
In addition to hormone therapy and over-the-counter options for symptom relief, we offer a range of customized complementary therapies including:
Alternative modalities are used alone or combined with hormone therapy for a holistic approach tuned to your individual needs and preferences during menopause.
As menopause experts and endocrinologists, we perform specialized assessments at the outset to thoroughly evaluate your hormone status, symptoms impact, medical history and personal priorities. These best-practice evaluations set the stage for customized treatment planning.
We use a detailed menopause symptom checklist that allows rating of 11 key symptom domains on a scoring scale of 0-4. Tracking which symptoms bother you most and how severely guides appropriate therapy. Follow-up assessments help determine if treatments are providing sufficient relief.
Getting a clear picture of your hormone levels with blood, saliva and sometimes urine testing is crucial. We specialize in these assessments:
Test results give objective data on menopausal stage, egg supply, estrogen status, ovulation, thyroid health, and key hormone markers - all important for developing an optimal treatment plan.
A baseline DXA bone density test is recommended at age 65, or earlier if risk factors are present. Measuring bone mineral density helps assess fracture risk and monitor bone health over time. Managing estrogen deficiency is vital for strengthening bone.
We use a combination of the latest clinical assessments, testing technology and evidence-based protocols to provide truly personalized care through all stages of menopause.
Every woman experiences menopause differently with unique needs and health considerations. We develop customized treatment plans tailored to each individual for the best possible outcome.
A layered approach is often most effective for symptom relief:
By addressing multiple factors influencing symptoms, we can optimize relief allowing you to feel your best through menopause.
In addition to symptom management, we provide guidance on preventive health strategies to keep you thriving across all life stages:
Developing sustainable healthy lifestyle habits helps ensure you age vibrantly and gracefully beyond menopause.
We realize every woman needs specialized support throughout perimenopause and beyond. Follow-up includes:
Our experienced practitioners provide attentive, responsive care - optimizing symptom relief, guiding preventive strategies, and supporting you through the menopause transition into midlife and beyond.
When searching for the right menopause specialist, it's essential to find a clinic with extensive expertise in hormone therapy, preventive health, and complementary modalities tailored to alleviate symptoms and reduce long-term health risks associated with menopause.
Here's why women choose Vitality Hormone Clinic for exceptional menopause care:
Our clinic is directed by Dr. Erika Jones, a board-certified OB-GYN physician and national menopause expert with over 15 years specialized experience caring for menopausal women. Our nurses and healthcare team have additional training and certification in menopause care.
We stay current on the latest evidence-based protocols to provide a balanced perspective and help women make informed choices about hormone therapy, lifestyle approaches, integrative modalities and preventive health strategies.
We realize every woman is unique with different symptom patterns, health histories and wellness goals. After specialized assessments, we develop customized treatment plans that may include:
By tuning treatment options to your individual needs, optimal symptom relief and support can be achieved.
Our commitment reaches beyond menopause to guide women proactively across all life stages. We empower women to make sustainable nutrition, fitness, stress reduction and preventive health choices that help slow aging, reduce disease risks, and enhance vitality into later years.
When you choose Vitality Hormone Clinic, you gain a knowledgeable team of professionals dedicated to supporting you through hormone changes, life transitions and aging with evidence-based, integrative care.
As an established menopause clinic conveniently located in Port Lavaca, Vitality Hormone Clinic has the expertise to guide you through the changes of midlife and beyond with skill and compassion. Whether you want bioidentical hormones, integrative therapies, or comprehensive guidance to enhance wellbeing as you age, we offer trusted, responsive care tailored to your unique needs.
Call Vitality Hormone Clinic today at (XXX) XXX-XXXX to schedule a new patient assessment, or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to supporting your menopause journey to help you feel your best at every stage of midlife and beyond!
