Here at ReVital, we understand that menopause is a huge milestone in the lives of many women. This time in your life indicates the end of your childbearing years. At this point, your body will stop menstruating, and you will no longer release eggs. The age it begins, and the process is different for every woman, but if you notice that you have had no periods for 12 consecutive months, you are likely in the menopausal stage of your life.

This is often a relief for many women who are ready to stop dealing with the monthly hassle of periods, but it also brings along its own set of unfortunate changes in your body. During this time, the estrogen your body creates is severely depleted, leading to less-than-enjoyable symptoms, such as:

  • Night sweats
  • Mood swings
  • Reduced sex drive
  • Weight gain
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Hot flashes

Some women experience all of these symptoms as soon as they enter menopause, whereas some don’t have any. Menopause can occur any time after age 30, but it typically won’t start until your mid-50s. If you’ve entered menopause and your symptoms are too much to bear, we have several options that may help you.

Lifestyle Changes
One of the first things we’ll review is your overall lifestyle. We may recommend that you abstain from, or at least limit, stimulants, such as coffee and alcohol, which can intensify hot flashes, depression, and insomnia. If you’re a smoker, we’ll recommend that you try to quit as well as recommend exercises and healthy diet options.

Manage Your Stress Levels
Because of your altered hormone levels, stress can have an even bigger impact than it did before you reached menopause. To best manage your stress levels, try not to take on more than you can handle, and reduce your alcohol, cigarette, and caffeine intake. If those things don’t work, you may be able to supplement treatment with meditation, therapy, support groups, and medications overseen by your doctor.

Adopt a Healthy Diet and Exercise Routine
Part of having a healthy lifestyle is watching your diet and adopting an exercise routine. As your hormones change, it becomes more difficult to maintain a healthy weight. In a recent study of nearly 8,000 postmenopausal women, it was found that those who lost at least 10 percent of their body weight or at least 10 pounds had a higher chance of eliminating hot flashes and night sweats.

Non-Hormonal Medications
A number of non-hormonal prescription medications have been proven to be effective for treating menopausal symptoms. Gabapentin, a medicine typically prescribed for nerve pain and convulsions, as well as low-dose antidepressants such as Paxil have been successful. Some women may also find herbal supplements to be helpful in managing their symptoms. Be sure to always consult your doctor for any prescribed treatment and medication plans.

Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy treatment is common in menopausal and postmenopausal women. Replacement hormones can be delivered via pills, injections, patches, or even creams depending on your specific needs. Topical hormones can be applied via a cream directly to the outer vagina or inserted into the vaginal canal to help minimize pain during intercourse from dryness. At ReVital, we take your personal healthcare needs into account and often provide coordinated care with your primary physician when determining the best treatment plan for you.

How To Get Help

ReVital offers free consultations where you can speak to one of our clinicians about ReVital’s Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. At ReVital, we can conduct simple blood tests to evaluate the levels of these hormones in your system and prescribe supplements or therapies to treat and control the majority of hormonal imbalances. We also encourage that you connect with your regular doctor about any changes in your health and moods.