Menopause
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Comprehensive Center for Women's Medicine
Integrative and Holistic Women's Health Practice located in Gold Coast, Chicago, IL
Menopause is a natural part of a woman's life which can cause symptoms that disrupt your quality of life. At Comprehensive Center for Women’s Medicine in Chicago, Illinois’ Gold Coast neighborhood, the expert providers teach patients how to manage symptoms and offer treatments to ease hormonal swings. To learn more about menopause management, call the Comprehensive Center for Women’s Medicine, or schedule an appointment online today.
Menopause Q&A
What is menopause?
Menopause is defined as 12 months of no periods. While the average age of menopause in the United States is 51, any time after 40 and before 60 is fair game. The decade preceding its onset, defined as perimenopause, is when you experience most of the hormonal swings causing symptoms.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Ovarian function declines and hormonal production decreases, ultimately leading to cessation of ovulation and loss of fertility. Symptoms occur when the delicate balance of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone is disturbed and typically include:
- Hot flashes
- Breast tenderness
- Worsening premenstrual syndrome
- Decreased sex drive
- Sleep disturbances
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Irregular periods
- Heavy periods
- Irritability and mood swings
- Brain fog
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary leakage when coughing, sneezing or exercising
The average length of perimenopause is three to four years, but some women experience it for just a few months, while others can suffer for up to a decade and the severity of symptoms is variable.
What are the treatments for menopause?
At the Comprehensive Center for Women’s Medicine, the doctors assess each patient individually and offer them a variety of treatment options. They frequently utilize salivary hormone testing performed by ZRT laboratory to diagnose hormonal imbalances. Many women are able to improve their hormonal imbalances by supporting their HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis through proper nutrition and nutritional supplementation with quality nutritional supplements. Those needing additional symptom control are offered hormone restoration utilizing bioidentical hormones.
Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant ingredients and have a molecular structure identical to human hormones. The doctors only work with compounding pharmacies which use PCCA (Professional Compounding Centers of America) ingredients.
The team will teach you how to minimize symptoms through mindfulness, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, good nutrition, targeted cellular nutritional supplements and exercise.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that suggest perimenopause, call the Comprehensive Center for Women’s Medicine today or make an appointment online for evaluation and hormone restoration.
