Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop permanently and she can no longer become pregnant. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During this time, menstrual cycles become irregular and women may experience menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.
The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen anytime between the ages of 40-55. Menopause officially begins when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. The ovaries stop producing as much of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, causing changes throughout the body.
Many women experience unpleasant symptoms during perimenopause and menopause that can significantly impact their health and quality of life. Common signs and symptoms include:
The severity of symptoms varies widely. While some women have mild issues, others suffer from moderate to severe symptoms that deeply impact their everyday functioning and wellbeing.
Hormone therapy (HT) involves restoring depleted hormones like estrogen and progesterone back to normal levels after the ovaries stop making enough. HT is the most effective treatment option for relieving unpleasant menopause symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep disruption.
When administered correctly, hormone therapy can help women feel like themselves again by alleviating disruptive symptoms and improving quality of life. HT may also provide protective benefits for heart health, bone health, memory and cognition, and bladder health during the postmenopausal years.
In addition to bothersome symptoms, menopause can negatively impact women's health in the long run. Estrogen deficiency accelerates bone loss, leading to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. It also contributes to heart disease risk. Genitourinary syndrome causes vaginal tissue to become thinner and less elastic, which can lead to recurring UTIs and painful intercourse.
Starting hormone therapy shortly after menopause onset may help slow bone loss and reduce heart disease risk. It can also dramatically improve genitourinary symptoms to enhance sexual health and prevent UTIs. By addressing hormone imbalance, many aspects of health can be preserved beyond menopause.
Hormone Harmony specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical hormones have a molecular structure that is identical to the hormones naturally made by the ovaries. They are derived from plant sources and custom-compounded in a lab to match a woman's hormone needs.
BHRT is considered the gold standard treatment approach because bioidentical estrogen and progesterone act the same way in the body as your own hormones. This allows for optimal rebalancing effects.
We customize treatment plans featuring FDA-approved, prescription-grade bioidentical hormones including:
These bioidentical hormones are available in convenient forms like oral tablets, transdermal gels/creams, vaginal inserts, pellets, patches, and injectables.
Many women develop a thyroid imbalance leading up to or during menopause which can exacerbate symptoms. We test thyroid hormone levels and provide customized treatment to restore optimal functioning. Addressing thyroid health is essential for achieving full symptom relief.
High-quality supplements can enhance the effects of hormone therapy while also targeting specific menopausal concerns like hot flashes, mood issues, sleep problems, and memory decline. We recommend science-backed nutraceuticals as needed.
Lifestyle measures like eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, reducing alcohol intake, and quitting smoking can help ease menopausal symptoms. We offer customized wellness planning to help women implement healthy lifestyle changes that naturally support hormone balance and reduce symptoms.
Before initiating hormone therapy, diagnostic tests are needed to analyze individual hormone levels and get a clear picture of what imbalances are present. We utilize high-precision testing to assess:
- Estrogen (estradiol, estrone) - Progesterone - Testosterone - DHEA and other androgens
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH)
- TSH - Free T3 & Free T4
- Vitamin D - Vitamin B12 - Blood sugar - Inflammatory markers
These tests help us pinpoint exactly which hormones are low or out-of-range. This enables truly customized and precision treatment through bioidentical hormone replacement.
We also check hormone levels multiple times throughout treatment to ensure optimal balance is achieved and maintained long-term.
Studies show that practicing yoga can help relieve many menopausal symptoms. Specific poses that gently stretch and strengthen muscles, regulate breathing, and relieve stress have been found to significantly reduce hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and depression in menopausal women without the need for hormone therapy or medications.
There are many reasons to choose Hormone Harmony for your hormone therapy and menopause treatment needs:
Our highly-trained women's health practitioners have extensive specialized training in menopause, hormone imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, and precision hormone restoration protocols. We stay current on the latest research and best practices.
We dig deeper with extensive hormone testing to get a complete picture, then use results to customize treatment featuring bioidentical hormones and supplements tailored to your unique needs.
While BHRT is central, we also address lifestyle, nutrition, fitness, and stress levels for whole-person care. Our goal is to help women thrive during midlife and beyond!
Hormone Harmony is woman-owned clinic personalized to serve Brandon residents. We understand the local climate, culture, and community to best support our patients.
Making certain lifestyle adjustments can help reduce unpleasant symptoms, support hormone balancing efforts, and promote continued health during and beyond menopause:
Focus your diet on whole, unprocessed foods: - Fruits & vegetables: These provide antioxidants to fight inflammation along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium that aid hormone regulation. - Quality fats: Omega-3s found in fatty fish, avocadoes, olive and coconut oil support hormone production. - Phytoestrogenic foods: Flax, soy, sesame seeds and fermented soy contain plant compounds that mimic estrogen's effects. - Calcium & vitamin D rich foods: Help strengthen bones weakened by estrogen decline. Good sources include dairy products, leafy greens, salmon, supplements.
Aim for 30-60 minutes of moderate activity daily like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, aerobics classes, tennis. Weight training helps strengthen bones. Yoga and Pilates improve strength, flexibility, balance, and mindfulness.
Relaxation practices like meditation, deep breathing, massage, sauna use decrease stress hormones that interfere with estrogen's actions. Get emotional support from therapy, women's groups, friends.
Aim for 7-8 hours nightly. Establish sleep rituals. Limit electronics before bed, keep bedroom cool and dark. Medications, supplements, or cognitive methods can also optimize sleep.
Smoking triggers hot flashes. Quitting improves hormone balance and numerous aspects of long-term health. We offer medically-supervised tobacco cessation programs utilizing nicotine replacement therapies.
- SunCoast Laboratories for comprehensive hormone testing - LaserAway Brandon - medical spa for skin rejuvenation, injectables - Orangetheory Fitness Brandon - HIIT workouts - True Food Kitchen - organic, nutritious dining options - Alafia River State Park - 16 miles of scenic hiking/biking trails
If you're experiencing unpleasant perimenopause or menopause symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, low libido, vaginal dryness, anxiety, fatigue or just don't feel your best, we can help!
Book a consultation today with Hormone Harmony to discuss your symptoms, get comprehensive testing, and start on the path towards renewed health, energy, and quality of life. We're here to guide you through each step of this transition.
Our Brandon office provides a personalized, caring approach to help you look and feel your absolute best during midlife and beyond!
