Bioidentical Hormonal Therapy For Perimenopause / Menopause

The Menopause Society states - "Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and genitourinary syndrome of menopause and has been shown to prevent bone loss and fracture".

No hot flashes, no problem! Still getting periods, that's ok with us! Hormone therapy can help you reclaim your health in perimenopause and menopause. We prescribe FDA-approved bioidentical estradiol and progesterone that is natural, made from plants, and covered by health insurance (patches, sprays, gels, tablets, capsules, inserts, and rings). These hormonal treatments are recommended for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, sleep changes, mood swings, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and more. You can learn more about beginning hormone therapy by reading "What to expect when beginning hormone therapy for the first time".

Synthetic Hormone Therapy for Perimenopause / Menopause

Some women have an allergy or intolerance to bioidentical hormone treatments. In their unique case, we offer synthetic hormone options. Women who have not yet gone 1 full year without a period or who have period-related complaints may choose to begin birth control pills to prevent pregnancy and improve menstrual cycles while treating their menopause symptoms.

Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Perimenopause / Menopause Symptoms

Our specialists have many tools in their toolbox, including non-hormonal treatments to help you improve your menopause symptoms and health. Common therapeutic options include antidepressants, bladder antispasmotics, and novel medications like fezolinetant. Your menopause specialist will help you determine which non-hormonal therapeutic option is best for you.

Decreased Libido / Sex Drive

If your lack of sex drive has got you frustrated, you're not alone. Approximately one-third of women complain of a decreased sex drive with symptoms worsening in perimenopause/menopause. Maintaining a robust libido in women is complex. Our menopause specialists will help you craft the best treatment plan to help you reclaim your mojo. We have found that when your menopause symptoms, sleep, and vaginal health are improved, your libido returns. If you are interested in giving testosterone a try, we recommend you read "Testosterone Therapy For Women - Just The Facts". Sadly, testosterone is a controlled substance in the United States and your specialist is unable to prescribe controlled substances via virtual care. If you are a candidate for testosterone treatment, we will work with your in-person primary care physician to get you what you need.

Vaginal Dryness, Painful Sex, Urinary Symptoms Treatment

We like to call this below-the-belt menopause! Its official name is Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), a collection of bothersome symptoms that affect your labia majora/minora (the lips) , clitoris, vaginal opening, vagina, urethra, and bladder from a lack of estrogen. Symptoms can be sexual (pain with intercourse, lack of lubrication, decreased arousal) or urinary (urinary frequency, urinary urgency and frequent urinary tract infections). You may experience one or all. Each menopause journey is unique.

FDA approved therapeutics like vaginal estrogen and DHEA are made to target the tissues below your belt. They are safe and effective. Treatment can dramatically improve both your quality of life and your sex life! Treatments come in the form of creams, rings, tablets, and inserts and are covered by health insurance.

Metabolism Check-Up

Weight gain in perimenopause and menopause is real. Declining estrogen levels slow your metabolism. Midlife women lose muscle mass due to decreasing activity levels further slowing metabolism. Our metabolism check-up provides personalized metrics to help you stay on track for your weight management goals. It includes calculating how many calories you need to maintain or lose weight, recommended daily protein intake, personal heart rate zone for weight loss, and science-backed tips and tricks to help you stay on track. This specialized healthcare visit is covered by health insurance.

Weight Management Prescriptions

Declining estrogen plays a direct role in menopause weight gain and hormone therapy can help steady the scale but some women need more assistance. GLP-1 injectable therapeutics (Saxenda ™ , Wegovy ™ and Zepbound ™) may be for you when used in combination with the recommended lifestyle changes learned in our metabolism check-up. GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved to help you lose weight. Semaglutide (Wegovy ™) is approved to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke if you have cardiovascular disease and are overweight or obese.

Hair Loss

Androgenic alopecia (Female Pattern Hair Loss) affects over 30 million women in the United States. The hormonal imbalance in perimenopause and menopause can cause hair loss at midlife that continues beyond menopause. Your menopause specialist will develop a science-backed treatment plan that includes lab testing and recommended prescription treatments covered by health insurance. The sooner you treat your hormonal hair loss, the better your results!

Fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation - Aging Skin

In the first 5 years of menopause, women lose 30% of their collagen production and 2% every year thereafter. We can't turn back time but we can slow it down when it comes to aging skin in perimenopause and menopause! Prescription topical retinoids exfoliate your skin and increase collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Sudden pain with urination, frequent urination and the urge to go are a real pain! Changes to the tissues in your bladder and urethra in perimenopause and menopause can increase the frequency of UTIs. The North American Menopause Society even gave those changes a fancy name - Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.

UTI visits at MyMenopauseRx not only offer you quick, effective and convenient treatment for your UTI symptoms, they include how to prevent them in the future. Since menopause symptoms can mimic a UTI, we often recommend a urine culture. Treatment is required for an antibiotic prescription. You can self order a urine culture right from our lab page prior to your visit to be performed at Quest Diagnostics. Quest has nationwide locations and no appointment is necessary.

Herpes

If you have a known history of herpes, getting treatment for sudden soreness and discomfort is now easy! New to the dating world in menopause? Protect your partners with suppressive treatment. Protect yourself with herpes blood testing. We have what you need.

Hypothyroid

Underactive thyroid is common in women, especially at midlife and beyond. Underactive thyroid often mimics the signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Our menopause specialists prescribe levothyroxine. A recent TSH level (within the past 4 weeks) is required to obtain a prescription. You can self-order a TSH level to be performed at Quest Diagnostics, right from our lab page prior to your visit. Quest Diagnostics has nationwide locations and no appointment is necessary.