If you've just gone through or are currently going through menopause, and everything is normal aside from how you feel, we're here to help. Many providers treat menopause care with a one-size-fits-all approach that may not take your unique needs into consideration. If you've been prescribed synthetic hormones and they don't seem to be working right, or if you want to explore alternative options, we'll work with you to get you feeling better quickly.

A Human Approach to Hormone Treatment

Many providers use synthetic hormones for menopause treatment. At Abundant Life Health Care, we offer an alternative approach. Our bio-identical hormones, which are compounded at a local pharmacy, reflect the exact same molecular structure as the hormones your body makes. This allows your body to use its natural processes to correct the imbalance you may be experiencing.

When Everything is Normal but How You Feel

Though hot flashes are the hallmark of menopause, in reality, your symptoms may be as subtle as tossing and turning at night or a persistent feeling of low energy through your normal activities. Common symptoms can include:

Personalized Care in a Comfortable Environment

When you walk into Abundant Life Health Care, you're treated as a person, not just a patient. We've designed our office to be a relaxed environment that looks nothing like your typical doctor's office, and don't prescribe to the typical rush in, rush out method of scheduling appointments. We take time to get to know you, your lifestyle, and how you're feeling so that your care is just as unique as you are.

This attention to details extends to how we test your hormone levels as well. Most providers use blood hormone testing which, depending on the time of day your test is done and the phase of your menstrual cycle, can make poor hormone levels look normal. About half of all the estrogen in your body is produced in glands, and hormones that aren't produced in this way don't even end up in your bloodstream! We use saliva testing instead, which is not only more comfortable for you, but allows us to capture a complete picture of the hormone levels in your body, even as they change throughout the day.

Start Today, Get Results That Last a Lifetime

We don't believe in putting you through rounds of expensive testing before you even get a prescription. With over a decade of experience treating menopause, we're often able to give you a prescription that can start you on the road to well being with your very first visit. After a few months, we'll have worked with you to create a prescription and lifestyle regimen that gives you your life back. Our approach doesn't mask symptoms - it puts you on a path to true health that you can truly sustain.

Give us a call today at 208-433-9188 or use our form to request more information. We're looking forward to working with you to get your healthcare on the right track!

Could You Have Estrogen Dominance?

It's a common belief that estrogen deficiency resulting from ovarian failure is the primary cause of menopause, but did you know that estrogen dominance is more frequently the culprit of troubling symptoms? Estrogen dominance occurs when a woman's body has too much estrogen relative to progesterone.

In "Estrogen Dominance is Really Progesterone Deficiency," Dr. Jay Mead points out that, "although estrogen levels do decline with age (approximately 40 - 60% at menopause), more relevant is the fact that progesterone levels plummet by close to 90% at menopause from premenopausal levels."

Under the impression that estrogen deficiency is causing their symptoms, many women go to see their doctor about estrogen replacement. However, the symptoms of estrogen dominance can begin even in your thirties and continue as you approach perimenopause. Identifying if your symptoms are caused by estrogen dominance is an important step toward receiving the correct treatment.

Estrogen Dominance Symptoms

There are a broad range of symptoms that can arise when too much (rather than too little) estrogen is produced in the body. The symptoms of estrogen dominance can last for 10-15 years as women approach perimenopause. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Mood swings (can include depression and irritability)
• Weight gain around the abdomen and hips
• Fatigue
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Hair loss
• Bloating from water retention
• Memory loss, or difficulty concentrating
• Decreased libido
• Breast tenderness and swelling
• Cold hands and feet (symptoms of thyroid dysfunction)
• Difficulty sleeping

What Can Cause Estrogen Dominance?

In a normal menstrual cycle, estrogen is the dominant hormone for the first two weeks leading up to ovulation. In the final two weeks, that estrogen is balanced out by progesterone. 

Where problems arise is when women enter perimenopause and experience cycles without ovulation. When this happens, estrogen isn't balanced out by progesterone and symptoms occur. Other contributing factors of estrogen dominance can also include:

• Impaired immune function
• Excess levels of stress
• Excess body fat
• A low-quality diet containing excess refined carbohydrates

How Abundant Life Health Care Can Help

The most effective way to diagnose hormone imbalances like estrogen dominance is through saliva testing. This gives us the most accurate snapshot of the "active" hormone levels currently in your body. We can then correct these imbalances using bio-identical hormones, nutrition, dietary supplements, and lifestyle changes.

At Abundant Life Health Care, we understand that treating hormonal imbalances means addressing more than just your symptoms. In order for you to have the best outcomes, we address all of the factors that contribute to your wellness. 

It's our goal to help you discover your optimal energy and wellness. Request an appointment to start your journey toward abundant health today.

Menopause and Sleep Disturbance

For women already experiencing the myriad of changes that accompany menopause, sleep disruptions can prove to be particularly troubling. Changing levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause several menopausal symptoms that influence quality and duration of sleep, like hot flashes and nighttime sweating. 

 

Women’s sleep cycles are maintained through a complex balance of hormones, and the fluctuating levels of progesterone and estrogen before, during, and after menopause can cause sleep disturbances.

 

Common Menopausal Insomnia Symptoms

There are three different stages that insomnia can appear: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Menopause related insomnia can be worsened or combined with a variety of related symptoms including:

 

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Irritability and mood swings
• Changes in libido

Perimenopause can begin as many as ten years before menopause. During peri-menopause is when progesterone and estrogen levels begin to decline to an extent that may trigger menopause-related symptoms like hot flashes or nighttime sweating. Experiencing these symptoms can give you temporary sleep disturbances and in some cases insomnia.
You have typically reached menopause after a full year (12 months) without a menstrual cycle. Symptoms may be more pronounced and frequent during menopause. 

What Can Help Me Get Better Sleep Quality?

Aside from treating hormone imbalances, there are several ways you can improve your sleeping environment, minimize the impact of your symptoms, and potentially improve the quality of your sleep. These can include:

 

• Stick to a comforting nighttime sleeping routine or schedule.
• Avoid alcohol or tobacco before sleep.
• Avoid bright screens of electronics before sleep.
• Keep your room cool and comfortable.

When these aren’t enough to help you catch your well-deserved sleep, it may be time to get help from our experienced and compassionate team at Abundant Life Health Care.

How Abundant Life Health Care Can Help

In many cases, doctors choose to treat what they believe to be the primary cause of your insomnia: menopause. While hormone replacement therapy can relieve symptoms of menopause, we have found great success at correcting hormonal imbalances using bio-identical hormones, nutrition, dietary supplements, and lifestyle changes.

It’s our goal to help you discover your optimal energy and wellness. Request an appointment to start your journey toward abundant health today.

 

Hair Loss in Menopause: Why It Happens, What You Can Do

When women undergo the hormonal changes of menopause, everyone expects the common side effects of mood swings, sleep loss, and especially hot flashes. It can be surprising to discover that for some women, hair thinning can occur during and after menopause.

When women’s hormone levels decline naturally over time, the protective effects of female hormones can also decline. Depending on your genetic risk and sensitivity, androgens can progressively weaken your hair follicles and cause some form of hair loss. 

There are other contributing factors to menopausal hair loss and it is important to identify and treat the root of the problem, rather than symptoms alone.

Menopausal Hair Loss Contributing Factors

While declining hormone levels may be the most obvious culprit, there may be other factors in play. These can include the following:

• Thyroid dysfunction
• Certain autoimmune disorders
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Unmitigated stress
• Genetic predisposition

It’s understandable why preventing hair loss is important. For many women, hair is an important part of identity, confidence, and self-esteem. When loss of hair impacts your self-esteem, it can certainly have psychological effects like depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal. 

There can be a financial cost, too. Many women spend hundreds of dollars (or more) trying various shampoos, scalp treatments, and supplements which claim to stop and reverse hair loss.

No matter what is causing your hair loss, there are options and solutions available to you. Abundant Life Health Care will work with you to identify any hormonal changes or to determine if there are other underlying causes for your hair loss and help you regain your confidence.

How Abundant Life Health Care Can Help

When suffering hair loss, it’s important to identify the root of the problem rather than simply treating symptoms. While hormone replacement therapy can relieve symptoms of menopausal hair loss, we have found great success at correcting hormonal imbalances using bio-identical hormones, nutrition, dietary supplements, and positive lifestyle changes. 

Self-care is always important and can help you manage your stress as you find solutions to your hair loss. It’s our goal to help you discover your optimal energy and wellness. Request an appointment to start your journey toward abundant health today.