Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is defined as occurring 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. During menopause, a woman's ovaries decrease production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, causing changes throughout the body.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with menopause include:
While menopause is a natural process, the symptoms can significantly disrupt a woman's quality of life. Hormone therapy can provide relief by replacing the estrogen and progesterone that the body is no longer making itself.
Hormone Harmony is a hormone clinic in Wilmington that specializes in helping women navigate menopause and find relief for their symptoms. Our compassionate providers have extensive training and experience in menopause care and hormone therapy protocols.
At Hormone Harmony, we take a holistic, personalized approach to menopause treatment. We recognize that each woman's experience is unique and work together to find the right treatment plan.
The first step in menopause treatment is getting laboratory testing to evaluate hormone levels. We provide comprehensive hormone testing at our clinic laboratories to measure levels of:
Understanding a patient's hormone balance is crucial for determining the right supplemental hormone treatments. Blood tests and saliva tests can identify deficiencies to target with bioidentical hormone therapy.
We help patients understand their lab results and create customized treatment plans to restore hormone balance.
Bioidentical hormone therapy is the gold standard for treating menopause symptoms and hormone deficiency. Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as hormones made naturally in the body. This allows them to bind to hormone receptors and mimic the action of endogenous hormones.
The bioidentical hormones we commonly prescribe include:
These hormones are available in different formulations including pills, creams, patches, gels, pellets, and injections. Our providers work with patients to determine the optimal delivery method and dosing.
There are significant advantages to using bioidentical over synthetic hormone therapy:
Balancing hormones minimizes menopause symptoms and prevents complications like osteoporosis, heart disease, and cognitive decline.
Many women are unaware that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective menopause treatment. CBT helps women manage troublesome menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep problems by teaching coping strategies like relaxation techniques, stress management, and changing negative thought patterns. CBT provides women with tools to take control of their menopause transition.
Starting hormone therapy begins with a consultation at our clinic. We obtain a full medical history and perform a physical exam. Lab tests help guide appropriate hormone treatments.
The basics of our menopause treatment process include:
We carefully track hormone levels and symptom improvements. Dose adjustments maximize treatment effectiveness while minimizing risks.
Most women notice significant relief from hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms within a few weeks. The full effects on energy, sleep, sexual health, and quality of life continue to improve over 2-3 months.
Ongoing management is important for sustained benefits. We provide continuous care with regular follow ups to ensure hormone levels remain optimized.
Balancing hormones through bioidentical therapy works best alongside a healthy lifestyle. We provide diet and lifestyle recommendations personalized to each woman during menopause treatment.
General tips to better manage menopausal symptoms include:
Small daily habits support hormone balance from the inside out. Healthy lifestyle choices combined with bioidentical hormone therapy provide comprehensive menopause treatment.
Wilmington's mild coastal climate provides a comfortable setting for optimizing menopause treatment any time of year. Late fall through early spring are especially favorable seasons with lower humidity.
We advise beginning treatment as soon as bothersome symptoms develop. There are also benefits to starting hormone therapy during perimenopause, the 2-10 year transition before the final period.
Addressing hormone declines early and preventively can slow changes and future complications. We tailor treatmenttiming to each woman's needs and goals.
Hormone Harmony partners with high-quality local businesses to enhance your menopause treatment experience. We recommend:
Improving fitness, reducing stress, and nourishing your body help hormonal balance. Taking advantage of Wilmington's many amenities can optimize your menopause treatment results.
Hormone Harmony' individualized programs, expert providers, and state-of-the-art treatments make us the top menopause and hormone specialty clinic in Wilmington. We help women thrive through menopause and beyond with:
Our passion is providing life-changing menopause treatment to help every woman feel like her best self. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation.
