Perimenopause is a natural, biological change that affects millions of women. You cannot completely cure perimenopause because it is not a disease. But you can indeed cure the symptoms and bring the underlying hormonal imbalance under control, and reclaim your quality of life.
This problem is very common. Research reveals that up to 80% of women undergo perimenopause, and that about a quarter of those women report their symptoms to be severe enough to cause severe disruption to their work, sleep, and relationships.
In order to handle this phase well, you require reliable information about your period timeline and the highly effective perimenopause treatment options.
If you are struggling with perimenopause symptoms, luckily, there are some perimenopause treatment options in Texas you could consider:
1. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
HRT is the most heavily researched and effective medical treatment for moderate to severe perimenopause symptoms. HRT fills the gap without risk. Most studies back its safety and results.
It is believed to be the gold standard in the prevention of hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. It also helps prevent the bone density loss that is maximum during this phase.
HRT isn’t for every woman over 40. This will be suggested by your provider when your symptoms are impacting your quality of life.
It may not be good for you if you have:
- Insulin resistance + the inability to lose weight
- History of breast cancer
- Active liver disease
- History of blood clots
- Symptoms of PMDD become worse with age
For perimenopause treatment, there are various kinds of hormone replacement therapies include estrogen-only therapy, combination therapy, progesterone-only therapy, and vaginal estrogen. It is where confusion arises among many individuals while choosing the correct therapy.
HRT is normally given in the form of tablets, patches, topical creams, and gels. Your health practitioner will determine the suitable hormone replacement therapy for you.
If properly prescribed, HRT can be safe for the majority of women. However, it needs to be assessed by a provider to make sure it fits your personal and family medical history.
2. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
BHRT is a type of HRT, but it is different from HRT in its form and source of hormones.
It involves the use of hormones that are chemically identical to hormones that your body produces.
In BHRT, these hormones are typically derived from plant sources such as soy or yams, but are refined in the laboratory to exactly match your hormones.
The primary hormones in this treatment are estrogen, progesterone, and, in some cases, testosterone. The reason why many women and practitioners choose BHRT is due to the exact molecular structure of the hormones. It can lead to fewer side effects and provide better absorption.
Pharmacies customize doses based on individual blood tests, making each plan unique to you.
It is available as creams, troches, dissolvable lozenges, or subcutaneous pellets.
This therapy is perfect for women who are sensitive to synthetic hormones or have metabolic issues.
3. Non-Hormonal Medications
If you cannot tolerate HRT, there are various FDA-approved medications that can be used to treat your specific symptoms.
SSRIs and SNRIs: These drugs are initially created as antidepressants, although their low-dose forms, such as Brisdelle or Effexor, have been approved by the FDA to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes. In addition, these medications are very helpful in dealing with your perimenopause-induced anxiety and unstable moods.
Gabapentin: These medications are used to treat nerve pain. This is one of the drugs that works wonders in reducing your body temperature. These can severely lower night sweats and improve the quality of your sleep.
Clonidine: This is a medication that is typically used to treat high blood pressure, though it may also be used to treat hot flushes. It works by influencing the temperature regulation centers in your brain. But now, it is less frequently prescribed because of its side effects, such as dizziness and dry mouth.
Zolpidem: This is a short-term sleeping medication that is used to treat more serious sleeping problems. Zolpidem is a fast-acting drug that is commonly used to induce sleep, but it is not advisable as it induces dependence.
You don’t need full hormone therapy, especially if your symptoms are very specific, like sleep issues, only anxiety, or only heavy bleeding.
These medications do not cure the underlying root-cause, but are ideal for managing your symptoms.
4. Hormonal Contraceptives
Interestingly, a few contraceptive pills can act as a really powerful first-line treatment for your hormonal imbalance. These pills will help regulate your menstrual cycles as well as stabilize hormonal fluctuations.
Birth control pills, patches, or vaginal rings are all options that offer a consistent dosage of hormones and might help decrease your symptoms, such as mood swings or heavy periods.
Such pills not only stabilize your hormonal fluctuations but also help in treating perimenopause acne and mood swings. It is commonly given to women who are in their late 30s to early 40s and only starting to have symptoms. It can be the best choice for women who have some perimenopause symptoms, yet are not ready for hormone replacement therapy.
5. Vaginal Localized Estrogen
If your main symptoms occur in your pelvic region, you might not require systemic hormone therapy that will affect your whole body. Vaginal localized estrogen therapy is best in this case because it directly treats your vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and urinary urgency.
This perimenopause treatment primarily uses low-dose estrogen creams, vaginal rings, or dissolvable tablets. It restores your local tissue thickness and moisture without increasing the estrogen levels in your bloodstream.
How Long Does Perimenopause Last?
The most challenging part about perimenopause is that its duration is uncertain. As compared to a short-term condition, perimenopause is a gradual change in your body, in how your body produces hormones.
The average time of perimenopause is 4-10 years. Normally, it starts when you are in your mid- to late-40s, although it may begin when you are in your mid-30s. This is the period that is now officially established as the period before menopause, when your ovaries start producing lower levels of estrogen and progesterone. It officially ends when you have not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, marking the start of menopause.
Since this period can take up to ten years, you cannot rely on sheer will to pull you out of this stage. So it is important to select the right perimenopause treatment early to ensure your current well-being and prevent any future health issues.
Get Targeted Care in Texas
Perimenopause is not an easy stage, but it can be managed with a proper treatment plan and daily care. Some simple changes in lifestyle, such as having a fan by your bedside and wearing loosely-fitting clothes, can enable you to cool down fast when you suddenly experience some hot flushes.
Additionally, try to exercise regularly, reduce alcohol, smoking, and caffeine consumption and make sure that you get a sufficient amount of calcium and Vitamin D to safeguard your bones.
In addition to these everyday habits, the right medical treatment can make you manage this stage without any difficulties. You just have to remember that as you approach menopause, it is typically advised that you should stop taking the pill at age 50-51 and replace it with HRT in case you need it.
At Kairos Health and Wellness in Texas, Lola, one of our functional nutrition practitioners, does advanced lab testing to help you determine the best, most targeted approach for perimenopause treatment.
If you have any questions or need guidance on perimenopause, contact us today!
