Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life when her period stops permanently and she no longer ovulates or can get pregnant naturally. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During this time, menstrual cycles become irregular and hormone levels fluctuate significantly.
Key symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, mood changes, and slowing metabolism. The average age for menopause is 51, but it can occur from 40-55 years old. Menopause signals the end of a woman's reproductive years and marks a new phase of life.
Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This leads to an imbalance of hormones in the body. Factors that influence when menopause starts include:
The symptoms associated with menopause can significantly disrupt one's quality of life. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective treatment options available through knowledgeable healthcare providers like the caring professionals at Vital Hormones Clinic.
We specialize in helping women navigate menopause comfortably through individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs and health goals. Our compassionate, board-certified providers have years of experience caring for women going through menopause. We are dedicated to empowering patients with the information, therapies, and support they need to thrive during this transition and beyond.
Hormone therapy (HT), also called menopausal hormone therapy, is the use of external hormones like estrogen and progesterone to treat common symptoms caused by shifting hormone levels during and after menopause. There are few medical reasons to take hormone therapy. Most women take hormone therapy to help manage menopause symptoms that interfere with daily life.
When initiated early in menopause, hormone therapy is also shown to reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
There are different HT preparation types to meet each woman's needs:
Bioidentical hormones made to match hormones naturally found in the body are also available. Many women report finding better symptom relief from bioidentical HT.
Hormone therapy is effective and generally safe for most healthy women under 60 within 10 years of menopause onset who have troublesome symptoms. HT can be used short-term or for several years if needed for optimal symptom relief.
Women over 60 or more than 10 years from menopause may still be candidates for hormone therapy but should discuss risks vs. benefits carefully with their healthcare provider. Those with a history of certain health conditions will need to weigh the unique risks before starting therapy.
While hormone therapy is highly effective, some women prefer to try alternative therapies first or add them to enhance the benefits of HT. Our clinic offers a range of therapies to provide comprehensive relief:
Used as an insert, cream or ring, vaginal estrogen treats dryness and discomfort during intimacy without affecting the whole body like oral pills. This ultra-low dose application can be continued long term with very few risks.
Made to perfectly match hormones produced in the body, many women report better symptom relief from bioidentical estrogen, testosterone and/or progesterone creams compared to traditional HT. Compounded "tri-est" formulas are also available.
Key supplements shown to help manage menopause include:
Black Cohosh: Addresses hot flashes, night sweats Vitamin E: Hot flash relief Omega-3s: Support heart health, brain function Flaxseed: Promotes estrogen metabolism
Simple daily steps can enhance HT benefits:
Regular Exercise: Lowers risk of heart disease; helps mood, sleep, weight Healthy Diet: Nutrient-dense foods support metabolism, bone health Stress Reduction: Yoga, meditation improve resilience, outlook
Investing in timely, proper treatment ensures the best possible menopause transition and beyond. Our experienced healthcare professionals provide personalized guidance you can trust. Contact Vital Hormones Clinic today to learn more!
Vital Hormones Clinic is a premier hormone therapy clinic serving the Hackensack area. We understand the profound impact menopause can have on one's quality of life, which is why we offer personalized care to help women feel their best during this change.
Our clinic is directed by Dr. Jane Smith, a board-certified OBGYN and menopause specialist with over 15 years of experience. She leads a compassionate care team including a certified menopause practitioner, registered dieticians, and mental health professional.
Together, our providers have supported thousands of patients in optimizing health and wellbeing during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond through evidence-based therapies tailored to each woman's needs.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Smith will conduct a thorough assessment, including relevant lab tests, to identify factors contributing to your menopause symptoms. This informs a customized treatment plan designed to help you feel like yourself again.
First-line therapies like hormone replacement are carefully selected to match your symptoms, health history, lifestyle and preferences. We'll collaborate to adjust your regimen over time for sustained benefits. Adjunctive therapies like nutritional supplements or stress reduction techniques further support your progress.
In addition to office visits, we provide education and virtual consultations to ensure responsive care between appointments. Patients also enjoy access to our online menopause community for advice from experts and peers.
We partner with patients throughout their menopause transition and beyond, adjusting therapies over the years to meet evolving needs. It is our privilege to help women thrive through this new phase of life.
Our modern clinic is located at 123 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, easily accessible by public transit. We have flexible hours, including evening and weekend appointments, to accommodate busy schedules.
Vital Hormones Clinic accepts most major insurance plans. Uninsured patients may qualify for discounts through our financial assistance program.
Many women going through menopause find relief from symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes through cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT helps women identify and change negative thought patterns related to menopause, promoting a more positive outlook on this natural life transition.
Accurately assessing hormone levels is crucial for developing effective treatment plans tailored to each woman’s needs. We utilize advanced measurements to guide individualized hormone therapy.
Hormone blood tests help:
Key menopause labs check levels of:
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Rising FSH indicates declining ovarian function Estradiol: Low estrogen causes hot flashes, vaginal atrophy Testosterone: Boosts libido, energy; improves bone density Thyroid hormone: Rules out thyroid problems causing similar symptoms Vitamin D: Impacts hormonal balance; supports bone & immune health
Based on results and symptoms, we may recheck labs over time and run additional tests as needed.
If experiencing possible perimenopause or menopause symptoms, initial testing establishes a baseline to guide treatment. We recommended retesting 3-6 months after starting hormone therapy to ensure hormones are optimized. Annual follow-up tests enable adjusting dosing to meet changing needs.
Let our experienced team provide the advanced hormone testing essential to effective treatment during the menopausal transition and beyond.
Bioidentical hormones (BHRT) are identical in molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced in the body. Made from plant sources, bioidentical estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are engineered to perfectly match human hormones. Many women find custom-compounded BHRT the optimal solution for balancing hormones and relieving menopausal symptoms.
Because bioidentical hormones exactly mimic naturally occurring hormones, many practitioners believe BHRT better retains intended benefits in the body while reducing hormone-related health risks.
Studies show bioidentical hormones:
Additionally, compounded BHRT can be adapted to precisely meet each woman's individual hormonal needs over time.
Available bioidentical hormone preparations include:
Creams/Gels: Allow ultra precise hormone dosing tailored to the individual Pellets: Small implants placed under skin that provide steady hormone levels Injections/Suppositories: Useful for women needing progesterone support
Our clinics offers cutting-edge Tri-Estrogen cream with all three major estrogens (estradiol, estrone, and estriol) proportioned to mirror the body's natural estrogen profile before menopause.
We begin by testing individual hormone levels to uncover imbalances driving bothersome menopause symptoms. Based on results, our practitioners provide customized bioidentical hormone preparations compounded to address deficiency states promoting optimal balance.
Patients enjoy regular follow up testing to enable responsive fine-tuning of formulations over months and years as needs evolve through perimenopause into menopause. Our goal is sustaining an ideal hormone balance for each woman.
Vital Hormones Clinic offers the highly individualized bioidentical hormone restoration many women need to feel their best as hormone production declines. Contact us to learn more!
While hormone therapy is the cornerstone of medical management for bothersome menopause symptoms, certain lifestyle measures significantly impact outcomes. Our clinicians provide guidance on daily health-promoting behaviors vital to women’s wellbeing and quality of life during the menopausal transition and beyond.
Consuming a whole food, nutrient-dense diet low in sugar curbs troublesome menopause symptoms while reducing disease risk by:
Key Nutrients for Menopause:
Calcium & Vitamin D: Crucial for bone health Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Support heart, brain, hormone health Magnesium: Eases insomnia, anxiety
Moderate activity for at least 30 minutes daily provides multiple menopause benefits by:
Aim for a mix of cardio, strength training and stretching/yoga.
Mastering resilience skills is vital for emotional health during a major life transition like menopause. Useful techniques include:
Relaxation Response: Yoga, meditation, deep breathing Gratitude Practice: Improves mood, outlook Cognitive Reframing: Addresses unhelpful thought patterns
Preventive health steps like routine cancer screening, properly managing other medical conditions, engaging socially, and participating in meaningful activities sustain quality of life.
Leverage our clinical expertise plus community connections to build health-promoting habits ensuring your best menopause experience.
We aim to make Vital Hormones Clinic your trusted partner along each phase of the menopause transition by providing personalized care integrating appropriate therapies with lifestyle guidance for optimal wellbeing during this change and beyond.
Meet with our menopause specialists for a thorough history, exam and testing to uncover factors contributing to your symptoms. This enables developing an individualized treatment plan addressing root causes for sustained benefits. First-line therapies like hormone replacement can be initiated promptly thanks to our on-site compounding lab.
We'll collaborate adjusting your regimen over months and years as needs evolve from perimenopause into postmenopause. Follow up assessments ensure treatment effectiveness while allowing modifications to meet changing requirements. Virtual, email and emergency consultations provide responsive support between visits.
Our clinicians offer evidence-based counseling on nutrition, exercise, stress management and prevention essential to maximizing health during midlife and beyond. We'll connect you with community resources supporting positive lifestyle changes.
Tap into Vital Hormones Clinic' online menopause community for advice from experts and other women navigating this change. Give and gain empowerment through shared experience.
We're honored to walk this transition with you! Let our caring team provide the supportive clinical environment and community connections helping you thrive through menopause.
