Historically, there has been a lack of information available for women who are transitioning into menopause, which is truly unfortunate. Menopause is a time when hormones like estrogens and progesterone drop to very low levels and stay there. This drop affects so much in the body – heart, skin, bone, immune system, reproductive system, brain, metabolic system and mood.
The decline in one estrogen (estradiol) can have negative impacts on both gut microbiome health and brain neurotransmitter health. This can result in more GI inflammation and fewer neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. Oxytocin is commonly known as the love or bonding hormone. Menopause can be incredibly frustrating as things are changing on the inside, despite women reporting they haven’t changed anything on the outside!
How MediThrive Helps Women Going Through Menopause
MediThrive Personalized Wellness takes an integrative, patient-focused approach to managing menopause. We focus on addressing the underlying root causes of symptoms, and on optimizing overall health and well-being.
Functional Assessment Is Imperative
First, laboratory evaluation is indeed important. Even if you had a normal glucose, lipids or thyroid test last year, all the changes occurring in your body could indeed reveal different measurements now. To identify underlying imbalances contributing to menopausal symptoms, our team at MediThrive conducts a thorough evaluation that includes a detailed medical history, comprehensive hormone testing (including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones and cortisol), an assessment of lifestyle factors and environmental exposure factors.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
For women experiencing severe or persistent menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy may be the best option. Of course, HRT must be delivered with the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare professional.
Functional medicine practitioners address HRT by using bioidentical hormones that are structurally identical to those produced by the body, as opposed to synthetic hormones used in conventional HRT.
Bioidentical hormones are customized to meet each woman’s unique hormonal needs. They are often administered in specific dosages, with delivery methods tailored to optimize efficacy and minimize side effects.
Lifestyle Modifications
In addition, lifestyle habits that need to be addressed and adjusted will be identified. For example, have you been neglecting your sleep? Have you been up on your phone too late? Do you feel fatigued in the morning after getting out of bed? Have you been drinking more wine than usual? Have you skipped workouts or experienced higher stress levels lately? While no one’s perfect, we can all improve, and the goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible for you and your body. There are many ways we can support positive lifestyle changes.
Nutritional Support
We can identify the nutritional support necessary to help you thrive. For example, this may include supplements designed to support serotonin or the gut microbiome. Dietary modifications and targeted supplementation can help support hormone balance and alleviate menopausal symptoms. We can look to the phytoestrogens found in soy products, flaxseed and legumes that may provide natural relief for hot flashes and night sweats, and vitamins and minerals such as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids support bone health and cardiovascular health.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Regular monitoring and follow-up with a functional medicine practitioner is essential for assessing the effectiveness of treatment. Here we may adjust hormone dosages as needed, and address any emerging concerns or side effects. The ongoing support and guidance in implementing lifestyle modifications are integral components in a holistic approach to managing menopause.
While menopause is a natural and inevitable phase in a woman’s life, the symptoms associated with this transition can significantly impact your quality of life. Functional medicine offers a personalized approach focused on addressing the underlying root causes of symptoms, and on optimizing overall health and well-being.
Your Menopause Treatment Pros for Lake Norman and the Surrounding Areas
By embracing menopause as a transformative journey and empowering women to take an active role in their health and well-being, our team at MediThrive offers a comprehensive approach to navigating through this transition with grace. Call (980) 580-6070 to learn more or request a consultation today.
