Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through, marking the end of a woman's menstrual cycles. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During perimenopause, hormone levels become erratic and start to decline, causing various symptoms. After 12 months without a period, a woman has officially reached menopause. The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen earlier or later.
Menopause brings physical and emotional changes stemming from lower estrogen levels. While some symptoms are manageable with lifestyle measures, others require medical treatment for relief. Hormone therapy can help counteract troublesome symptoms in the years surrounding menopause.
At Elite Hormone Therapy, we specialize in natural bioidentical hormone therapy to help women gracefully transition into this new phase of life. Our clinic provides comprehensive menopause care with an emphasis on lifestyle, nutrition and hormonal balance. We partner with each woman to develop a customized treatment plan for her unique needs.
Below is an overview of common menopause symptoms, stages and hormone therapy options. We also highlight the key reasons to choose Elite Hormone Therapy for your menopause care and treatment in the Coconut Creek area.
The menopause transition occurs in several stages, each with its own set of possible effects.
Perimenopause refers to the 2-10 years leading up to menopause when reproductive hormone levels begin to fluctuate and decline. Most women start to notice changes in their late 30s or early 40s. Symptoms may include:
Once a woman has gone 12 months without a period, she has reached menopause. This major milestone means the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and producing most hormones. Menopause symptoms result from these hormonal shifts and can persist for years. They include:
Postmenopause is the stage beginning one year after the final menstrual period. As the body adjusts to lower circulating estrogen, some temporary menopause symptoms may ease while the risks of certain conditions rise over time. These include:
It’s important not to dismiss menopause symptoms or assume they are “just part of aging”. Lingering symptoms can disrupt sleep, work performance, relationships and quality of life. They also raise the risks for serious health conditions down the road.
Getting an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment provides the best chance for symptom relief and protection against future health threats. Blood tests help clarify which hormones are out of balance. Targeted treatment including hormone therapy can help restore optimal hormone levels.
At Elite Hormone Therapy, we provide cutting-edge hormone testing and work closely with patients on developing customized treatment plans. Through regular follow-ups and dose adjustments as needed, we help women achieve hormonal balance for the best possible menopause transition.
Hormone therapy (HT) replaces hormones that decline during perimenopause and menopause. The most common therapy is estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progestogen (synthetic progesterone).
Here is an overview of some standard hormone therapy options:
Hormone therapy works best when started early in menopause before symptoms escalate or health risks increase. It’s also important to find the right dose and delivery method tailored for each patient. Blood tests help guide proper HT dosing over time.
Lifestyle measures like stress relief, improved sleep habits, regular exercise and a nutritious diet also support hormone balance and optimal wellbeing during menopause.
Elite Hormone Therapy brings together top experts in men’s and women’s hormone-related conditions. Our clinic focuses exclusively on hormone balance using an integrated approach centered around the patient.
Here are the key reasons Coconut Creek women choose Elite Hormone Therapy for their menopause and hormone therapy needs:
Our medical team combines 35 years expertise in endocrinology, specialized hormone testing and multi-modal therapies to optimize hormonal balance. We stay current on the latest advancements in hormone treatments, including testosterone and compounded bioidentical hormones.
We take time to understand each woman’s unique symptoms, health history and lifestyle to create customized treatment plans. After clarifying which hormones are deficient through blood analysis, we craft tailored regimens using the ideal hormones, doses and delivery methods.
Accurately assessing hormone status is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. We utilize advanced saliva, blood and urine testing for precision results. Genetic testing also helps predict responses to therapies. Ongoing testing guides adjustments.
In addition to hormone optimization, we offer holistic therapies like nutrition consultations, stress management techniques and pelvic floor physical therapy that support the best possible menopause transition. Our team includes a mind-body medicine doctor and registered dietitian.
We schedule patient follow-ups at least every 3 months in the first year for in-depth reviews, testing and modifications as needed until optimal hormonal balance and symptom relief are achieved. We also offer email/phone consultations for more immediate concerns.
Our fully engaged staff provides responsive, individualized support. We take time answering all questions and concerns. Our satisfied patients rate their experience 5 out of 5 stars.
Many women are unaware that some symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, can last for years after your final menstrual period. Lifestyle changes like avoiding triggers, layered clothing, and managing stress can provide relief without medication. There are also a variety of alternative and complementary therapies like acupuncture, hypnosis, and cognitive behavioral therapy that may ease menopausal discomforts.
While lifestyle adjustments can help manage some menopause concerns, most women need additional symptom relief through medical treatment. Below we delve deeper into key hormone therapy options utilized at Elite Hormone Therapy.
Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones naturally made in the human body. They are derived from plant sources and custom-formulated in a lab for precision dosing.
The term “bioidentical” refers to the hormones’ chemical conformity to human hormones, not the method of delivery. Bioidentical estrogens, progesterone and testosterone are available in standard FDA-approved products and compounded formulations.
Benefits of bioidentical hormones include:
Bioidentical hormones are generally the preferred type of hormone therapy. They can be fine-tuned to help stabilize symptoms and preserve health during the menopause transition.
Blood, urine or saliva tests help determine which bioidentical hormones a woman needs in what proportions. We provide ongoing testing to ensure optimal levels are maintained long-term through dosage adjustments.
Declining estrogen is responsible for the most bothersome signs of menopause like hot flashes. Estrogen therapy effectively relieves these symptoms.
Used long term, estrogen also helps guard against bone loss and fracture risk. Emerging research suggests estrogen may benefit brain cell function and cognition as well.
Estrogen is available in many standard and compounded forms including pills, transdermal patches/gels, sprays, sublingual drops, pellets, creams and vaginal inserts.
Facts about the various types of estrogen therapy:
Along with relief of hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms, estrogen therapy carries some health considerations.
When estrogen is taken alone by women with an intact uterus, it can cause overgrowth of the uterine lining and raise uterine cancer risk. Therefore, progesterone or an artificial progestin must be used alongside estrogen in these women – except when using very low-dose vaginal estrogen.
In women without a uterus, estrogen alone may be prescribed since progestogens are only needed to protect uterine tissue.
Progesterone opposes estrogen’s effects on the uterine lining. Taking supplemental progesterone or a similar synthetic progestin along with systemic estrogen therapy substantially lowers the risk of uterine cancer.
Available evidence suggests bioidentical progesterone produces fewer side effects and may offer more health benefits than synthetic progestins.
Facts about progestogen therapy options:
As with any hormone therapy, working with a specialist to find the optimal progestogen regimen is key to maximizing tolerability and safety.
Testosterone and other androgens work synergistically with estrogen during a woman’s reproductive years. At menopause, testosterone levels reduce by 40-60% while estrogen declines around 30%. Some scholars believe menopause issues relate more to lowering testosterone than estrogen.
Even small amounts of supplemental androgens can provide big benefits – improved libido, energy, cognition, muscle tone and mood. Potential risks like hair loss and prostate issues seen with higher doses have not emerged at physiological doses.
Key facts about testosterone therapy for menopausal women:
Due to testosterone’s quick clearance from the body, frequent administration works best to maintain steady levels. Options include daily topical gels/creams, weekly injections or sublingual drops.
Careful monitoring for excessive hair growth and other signs of too much testosterone is prudent. Dose reductions can easily address such problems.
With sensational weather year-round, a vibrant community and abundance of amenities, Coconut Creek provides an ideal setting to embrace hormone therapy and healthy living during menopause.
Home to almost 60,000 residents, Coconut Creek offers green spaces and walking trails, community centers with classes and activities, a respected school district, and a thriving business community. The city has been recognized as one of the nation’s best places to live.
Situated in always-sunny South Florida, Coconut Creek enjoys warm tropical weather even in winter. Daily high temperatures average between 70-90°F. The winter months from November to March see less rain – perfect for getting outdoors.
There are walkable neighborhoods, 120 acres of parks and nature areas, and a lush 50-acre promenade wrapping around City Hall loaded with activities. Nearby shopping malls provide indoor walking options too. Regular activity - ideally 30 minutes daily - is hugely beneficial during menopause and beyond.
As far as recreation, Coconut Creek is home to the Panthers Ice Den – one of the largest ice skating facilities in the Southeast. There is year-round youth and adult programming. Golfers enjoy the 18-hole Coconut Creek golf course, part of the country club community Wyndham Coconut Creek. Fantastic beaches in Pompano Beach are only 15 minutes away.
In addition to our hormone therapy expertise, Elite Hormone Therapy partners with patients on therapeutic lifestyle changes for optimal menopause coping and health. We provide nutrition guidance and talk through healthy food options available in the community, from fresh markets to restaurant choices. Stress relief via yoga, tai chi, mindfulness apps or simple breathing exercises can help with mood, sleep and more.
For women undergoing hormone replacement, Coconut Creek offers a nurturing setting with amenities supporting positive lifestyle changes. Connecting with others also makes a difference. Coconut Creek has an active senior community and various clubs. Our patients give each other tips on managing menopause through online groups and in-person meetups we help organize.
We advise getting pertinent bloodwork done locally before starting therapy. Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp and Any Lab Test Now provide reliable hormone testing. Various compounding pharmacies in Coconut Creek supply our customized treatments.
Elite Hormone Therapy invites you to meet our team and learn more about optimizing your menopause transition. Contact us today for a consultation. We look forward to helping guide your journey with expert care.
