Personalized Menopause Management
Clear guidance and tailored options—from lifestyle strategies to non-hormonal therapies and hormone replacement.
Hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, sleep disruption, mood changes, and vaginal discomfort are common during the menopausal transition. There isn't one "right" plan—there's the plan that fits your body, history, and goals. At Westside Women's Health, we help you understand your options and build a stepwise approach that can evolve over time.
Fast Facts About Menopause Care
Treatment is individualized—based on symptoms, health history, and preferences
Lifestyle and non-hormonal options help many people
Hormone therapy (HRT) can be the most effective for hot flashes and GSM in appropriate candidates
Safety depends on timing, dose, route, and your personal risk profile
Who This Helps
- Bothersome vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes/night sweats)
- Sleep disruption, brain fog, and mood changes tied to the transition
- GenitoUrinary Syndrome of Menopause (vaginal dryness, discomfort, urinary symptoms)
- Bone health concerns (prevention of early bone loss)
- Quality-of-life impacts at work, home, and in relationships
Our Stepwise Approach
We start with education and symptom mapping, then layer options: (1) lifestyle and behavioral strategies (sleep routine, exercise, nutrition, stress skills, alcohol/caffeine timing), (2) non-hormonal medications for hot flashes when desired or indicated, (3) local vaginal therapies for GSM, and (4) systemic hormone therapy when appropriate after shared decision-making. We reassess regularly and adjust as your needs change.
Systemic HRT vs. Non-Hormonal Options
Systemic HRT
- Most effective for hot flashes/night sweats
- May improve sleep, mood, and overall quality of life
- Estrogen alone if you don't have a uterus; estrogen + progestin if you do
- Transdermal routes may have lower clot risk vs. some oral forms
- Not for everyone—requires personalized risk assessment
Non-Hormonal Options
- Useful if HRT isn't desired or advisable
- Includes select antidepressants, certain neurologic agents, and newer non-hormonal therapies targeting hot flashes
- Local vaginal therapies (estrogen/DHEA) act mainly in the vagina/urethra
- Behavioral tools (cooling, paced breathing), sleep hygiene, and cognitive strategies help many
- Can be combined with lifestyle changes for additive benefit
Safety & Monitoring
Before starting any therapy, we review personal and family history (heart disease, stroke, clots, breast cancer, migraine with aura, liver disease), medications, and timing since last period. If using HRT, we choose the lowest effective dose, prefer routes that fit your risk profile, and schedule regular check-ins to reassess benefits, side effects, and dose/route. Local vaginal therapies are typically low-dose and act locally with minimal systemic absorption.
Treatment Menu
- Lifestyle & Behavioral: Sleep routine, exercise/resistance training, stress reduction, temperature layering/cooling, alcohol and caffeine timing, nutrition for metabolic and bone health.
- Non-Hormonal Medications (for hot flashes): Select antidepressants, certain neurologic agents, and other non-hormonal options chosen to fit symptoms and medical history.
- Local Vaginal Therapies: Low-dose estrogen, DHEA, or selective oral options for painful sex and dryness (GSM).
- Systemic HRT: Transdermal or oral estrogen with appropriate progestin if you have a uterus; individualized dosing and monitoring.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- ✓Symptom diary (hot flashes, sleep, mood, vaginal/urinary changes)
- ✓Medication/supplement list and prior hormone use
- ✓Personal/family history (clots, stroke, breast/ovarian cancer, heart disease)
- ✓Goals and preferences (e.g., avoid hormones, try non-hormonal first, focus on sleep/brain fog)
- ✓Questions you want answered
Frequently Asked Questions
1Is hormone therapy safe for me?
Safety is individualized. For many healthy people close to the time of menopause, benefits can outweigh risks when using the lowest effective dose and an appropriate route. We review your history to decide together.
2How long until I feel better?
Hot flashes often improve within days to weeks on effective therapy; sleep and mood may take several weeks. Local vaginal therapies usually show comfort gains over weeks with continued improvement over months.
3Do I have to take HRT forever?
No. We reassess periodically. Some use HRT for a few years, others longer based on symptoms and risk profile. Many continue local vaginal therapy long-term for comfort.
4What about "bioidentical" hormones?
We can use regulated, body-identical formulations that meet safety and quality standards. Compounded products are reserved for specific situations when approved options don't meet a need.
5Can I combine options?
Yes. Many plans blend lifestyle strategies with non-hormonal medications, local vaginal therapy, or systemic HRT. We tailor combinations to your goals and medical history.
Feel Like Yourself Again
Let's design a menopause plan that fits your life—practical steps first, advanced options when needed, and ongoing support to keep you feeling well.
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