Peri/Menopause
Understanding the symptoms
Menopause is defined as the final menstrual period and is usually confirmed when a woman has missed her period for 12 consecutive months. Resulting in a lower level of estrogen, most women experience menopause at age 51.
The transition phase before the final menstruation period is called perimenopause and the fluctuations in hormones lead to many of the symptoms that we commonly associate with this stage of life.
Peri/menopause support at West End Women’s Health
Many treatment options exist to manage the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Bioidentical hormone therapy can help provide relief of symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness however whether BHRT is right for you depends on your personal and family medical history.
Other ways we can help:
- Screening for nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin D
- Metabolic support and weight management program
- Hormone + Thyroid testing
- Supportive nutrients and supplements
- Counseling + Talk Therapy
Book Your Appointment Today
Ready to get started? Reach out to our team today to book your next appointment.
Ways We Support You
Bio-identical Hormone Therapy
Lab work & Testing
Acupuncture
Metabolic Balance
Evidence Based Nutraceuticals
Talk Therapy
What are the Top Menopause Symptoms?
Menopause symptoms may begin slowly during the perimenopausal phase and then abruptly during menopause. The most common symptoms you’ll want to be aware of are:
- Hot Flashes
- Missed periods
- Sore breasts
- Vaginal dryness
- Excess urination
- Emotional changes
- Sleep issues
- Dry eyes, mouth, or skin
- Low libido
Functional Medicine Labs to Test To Help Personalize Treatment for Menopause Symptoms
Functional medicine labs can help get to the root of common menopause symptoms. Here are the top tests that functional medicine practitioners run:
Hormone Testing
DUTCH Complete is a great analysis of hormones and metabolites for menopausal women. This test will comprehensively examine not only sex hormones but also cortisol, organic acids, and melatonin. Using this information in correlation to the symptoms picture can be helpful in treatment recommendations, especially if bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is an option.
Lipid Panel
During late perimenopause and early postmenopausal state, there have been documented changes in lipid levels in women. This study revealed that total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a) all peak during phases of menopause. Following these changes would help you and your provider keep track of and support healthy cholesterol levels. You can get a Lipid Panel done through BostonHeart Diagnostics, which includes nine lipid markers
Liver Function
Hormone metabolism occurs in the liver. As your hormone levels drastically shift during menopause, checking in on liver function would be beneficial to ensure everything is operating properly. Access Med Labs offers a Hepatic Function test to analyze liver enzymes and other pertinent liver markers.
Micronutrient
Hormonal changes can lead to nutrient deficiencies which impact organ systems. Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease are two main areas of concern. Women also need different and varying amounts of micronutrients during different reproductive stages. Getting a comprehensive Micronutrient Test like the OATS test can give insight into vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Neurotransmitters
Many peri-to-post menopausal women experience mood changes. Your brain has receptors for both estrogen and progesterone. During the transition into menopause, you may experience the mental and emotional impact this can have on your brain as it’s trying to figure out how to respond to the lack of hormones. Downstream effects can impact neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, and dopamine. Doctor’s Data offers a Comprehensive Neurotransmitter Profile urine test that evaluates the secretion and metabolization of 21 biomarkers. If micronutrient testing is relevant to your case, doing a Neurotransmitter + Micronutrients package for a one-stop shop would benefit you.
Thyroid Panel
A complete Thyroid Panel by LifeLabs evaluates hormones involved in thyroid function. This test includes reverse T3, which is important as it can provide insight into any thyroid hormone conversion issues between the thyroid gland and the liver. Hypothyroidism is also a risk factor for dyslipidemia in premenopausal and postmenopausal women and, therefore, should be assessed if you have cross-over symptoms.
Related services
Lab Work & Assessments
We provide access to blood work, and functional medicine testing. Our naturopathic doctors offer complete blood work yearly, with follow-up testing as is clinically relevant to your unique health picture along clinical analysis.
Bioidentical Hormones
Often used for hormonal concerns, BHRT requires careful consideration of benefits and risks. We offer assessments and recommendations for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy after a thorough evaluation, lifestyle recommendations and lab work.
Weight Management Program
Based on comprehensive blood testing, we provide personalized weight loss services. Complete with nutritional insight into your body’s unique needs and hormone balance, our 12 week weight loss program offers complete 1:1 support from our nutritionists and naturopathic doctors.
Service Providers
Dr. Priyanka Gupta, ND
Naturopathic Doctor
Annabel Strickland
Registered Holistic Nutritionist
Dr. Saiyemah Khalil, ND
Naturopathic Doctor
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