Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. The term "menopause" refers to the point in time when a woman's menstrual cycles permanently stop, marking the end of fertility. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transitional phase is associated with changes in hormone levels that can cause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and more.
On average, women in the United States experience menopause around the age of 51. However, it can occur anywhere from the ages of 45 to 55. Menopause happens because the ovaries gradually produce lower amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle and have effects throughout the body. As hormone levels decline, menstrual periods become irregular and eventually stop.
The changes associated with menopause can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. Some women transition through perimenopause and menopause with minimal discomfort. But others experience more troublesome symptoms that disrupt sleep, mood, sexual function, and everyday activities. For these women, seeking menopause care from a knowledgeable healthcare provider is important. With proper diagnosis and treatment, quality of life can be restored.
At Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic in Harlingen, we specialize in individualized menopause care to help women navigate this transition in the healthiest way possible. Read on to learn more about our comprehensive approach.
The first step in optimizing menopause care is getting the right diagnostic testing. At Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic, we offer advanced hormone lab panels to measure levels of key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and more. Testing provides important insights into a woman's menopause status and specific treatment needs.
We recommend baseline testing around age 45-50 to establish hormone levels in the years leading up to menopause. Repeat testing every 1-2 years tracks hormone changes over time. Lab results enable our practitioners to identify hormone imbalances and determine if hormone therapy could help relieve symptoms.
Some key lab tests we utilize include:
Getting the right lab tests provides objective data to determine the best menopause care plan. We also offer blood draws and specimen collection on-site for patient convenience.
If hormonal imbalances are detected, hormone therapy (HT) may be recommended to replenish estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or other hormones to optimal levels. When hormones are restored, many bothersome menopause symptoms subside. The goal is to find the ideal hormone regimen to maximize symptom relief.
At Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic, common hormone therapy options we offer include:
We tailor hormone therapy to each woman's needs and preferences. Treatment plans can be adjusted over time for optimal symptom relief. Most women feel significantly better within a few weeks of starting therapy.
In addition to hormone therapy, we provide lifestyle guidance to help women manage symptoms naturally. Simple changes can make a difference during menopause:
Healthy lifestyle choices combined with hormone therapy (if needed) offers the best relief during menopause. Our practitioners provide individualized recommendations for optimal wellness during this transition.
Many women are unaware that engaging in regular physical activity can help manage menopause symptoms. Studies show that exercise helps reduce hot flashes, improves sleep, boosts mood, and protects bone health. Something as simple as 30 minutes of walking per day can make a big difference in managing this transition. Maintaining an active lifestyle is an effective yet underutilized way to promote menopausal wellbeing.
When searching for menopause care in the Harlingen area, Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic stands out as a top clinic for several reasons:
Our ultimate goal is helping women transition through perimenopause and menopause while maintaining optimal wellness. We empower women with knowledge and solutions to take charge of their health during this change.
If you are a Harlingen woman over age 45, we encourage you to schedule a consultation regarding menopause care.
- Changes in menstrual cycle length - periods become closer together or further apart- Increased PMS symptoms- Heavier, longer periods- Spotting between periods- New onset of hot flashes/night sweats
On average, perimenopause lasts about 4 years. But it ranges anywhere from a few months to 10 years depending on the individual. The phase ends 12 months after the last menstrual period.
Baseline testing should be done between ages 45-50 before menopause begins. This establishes normal premenopausal hormone levels for comparison. Testing every 1-2 years monitors changes over time.
Hormone therapy:- Treats hot flashes, night sweats- Improves vaginal dryness and discomfort- Restores libido- Lifts mood and energy levels- Promotes better sleep- Reduces risk of bone loss and fractures- Provides heart health benefits for some women
Most women utilize hormone therapy for symptom relief anywhere from a few months to several years. Safety and efficacy have been proven in clinical studies for at least 5-7 years of use. Your doctor will determine the ideal length of therapy based on your individual health profile and needs.
When utilized properly under the guidance of a menopause specialist, hormone therapy is safe for most women. Some risks may include blood clots, stroke, heart disease (mainly with oral combination estrogen/progestin therapy). We customize therapy to minimize risks based on each woman's health and risk factors.
Probably not. Women with an intact uterus need progesterone to prevent overgrowth of the uterine lining. But progesterone therapy is not necessary if you've had a hysterectomy and no longer have a uterus. Discuss this with your doctor.
The "best" hormone therapy depends on the individual woman. We offer multiple delivery methods for flexibility based on your preference and lifestyle. Options include oral tablets, transdermal patches/gels/creams, vaginal creams, rings and inserts. Pellet implants maintain stable hormone levels but require minor in-office insertion.
Most women begin experiencing relief of menopause symptoms within 1-3 months after optimizing their hormone regimen. Some notice improvements in energy, hot flashes, sleep or other areas in as little as 2-4 weeks. We closely monitor you to ensure your treatment plan is providing the expected benefits.We encourage you to review your specific questions or concerns with your Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic practitioner during your consultation.
We aim make menopause care convenient and supported for our Harlingen patients. Here we highlight some of the resources and information relevant for women undergoing this transition locally:
When considering the seasonality of menopause symptoms, winter or spring are good times to begin hormone therapy in Harlingen's climate. Hot flashes tend to be minimal during cooler months. By spring, hormone levels can be stabilized before hotter summer temperatures exacerbate symptoms. However, we can start therapy any time of year based on your needs.
Regular exercise provides mental and physical health benefits during menopause. We recommend Harlingen gyms including:
To manage stress, try these local spots:
Connect with other women facing menopause:
We hope this guide gave you a helpful overview about menopause and available care. Most women transition through "the change" smoothly when hormone levels are monitored and addressed early. We encourage being proactive to maintain wellness during this shift.
Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic is here to support and empower you before and after menopause. We aim to provide personalized care in a setting focused on women's health, education and community. Please call our Harlingen clinic if you have any questions or to schedule a consultation. Here's to embracing menopause gracefully!
