Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through, marking the end of menstrual cycles. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, which can start 8-10 years before menopause. During this time, hormone levels fluctuate and start to decline, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and more.
Treating menopause symptoms properly and in a timely manner is crucial for women's health and quality of life.
Many women wonder if they should just tolerate menopause symptoms or "tough it out." However, living with severe hot flashes, sleep disruption, vaginal atrophy, and mental fog can significantly impact quality of life. In addition, the bone loss associated with menopause can increase a woman's risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life.
Seeking proper menopause treatment allows women to feel like themselves again - mentally sharp, energized, and comfortable in their bodies. Identifying and treating symptoms in a timely way, under the guidance of a menopause specialist, provides the best results.
Vitality Balance Clinic specializes in perimenopause and menopause treatment for women in the Austin area. Our certified menopause practitioner and entire clinical team stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices for managing this important life transition.
We take time to listen to your unique situation and symptoms, then craft customized treatment plans utilizing bioidentical hormones and other therapies as needed. Follow up appointments ensure optimal progress is being made. We also provide support for overall wellness with diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Before treatment can begin, confirming you've entered menopause is an essential first step. Since perimenopause symptoms often mimic menopause itself, testing helps clarify where you're at hormonally.
Two key blood tests for menopause include:
These hormone tests are used to diagnose menopause itself. Additional blood tests help us identify any nutritional deficiencies that could be exacerbating your symptoms.
We also utilize saliva testing to get a full picture of cortisol patterns and progesterone/estrogen balance on a day-to-day basis. This shows us how your adrenal glands are functioning during menopause as well.
Understanding your hormonal fluctuations empowers our practitioners to determine the best bioidentical hormone therapy to help stabilize levels.
Once we have a clear diagnosis, Vitality Balance Clinic has a wide variety of options to get your symptoms under control so you can feel your best again.
Bioidentical hormone replacement (BHRT) utilizes plant-based hormones identical on the molecular level to what your body produces naturally. This allows precise balancing of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones based on your individual hormonal deficiencies and needs.
BHRT therapy is available in convenient forms like pellet implants, patches, gels, pills/capsules, and creams. Our clinic helps determine which option(s) will work best for your lifestyle and symptoms.
In addition to standardized bioidentical hormone preparations, we also offer custom compounded hormone therapy when needed. This allows for very specialized doses, combinations, and delivery methods.
Examples include progesterone suppositories, bi-estrogen/tri-estrogen mixes, and hormone patches or creams that contain precise percentages of estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, and/or other ingredients as needed.
Nutriceuticals and herbal supplements can provide nutritional support, help manage specific symptoms, promote hormone balance, and more. Our practitioners stay abreast of the latest research on supplements beneficial for menopause.
We also offer various modalities like acupuncture and clinical massage that can provide symptom relief and restore a sense of wellbeing during this transition. Lifestyle counseling on diet, exercise, and stress reduction is also essential.
In addition to specialized clinical care, we understand the value of community support and self-care during menopause. We partner with exceptional local businesses to provide referrals for fitness centers, spas, yoga studios, healthy restaurants, and other services to continue supporting you on your wellness journey.
Some of our trusted local partners include:
If you're struggling with menopause, don't delay seeking treatment - help is available! Our compassionate, experienced menopause specialists and clinic staff are here provide personalized care and relief. We look forward to supporting you through this transition.
While hormone replacement therapy has traditionally been the mainstay of treatment for menopause symptoms, studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy focusing on lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and stress management can be just as effective as medications for some women in relieving hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances and more during this transitional life stage.
