Menopause Types

Introduction: Why Menopause Needs a New Approach

Menopause is a natural part of aging, but for many women, it can bring disruptive symptoms that affect daily life. These symptoms, including hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, and weight gain, are often seen as an inevitable part of aging. At Patients Medical in New York City, we take a different approach. We look beyond just managing symptoms and focus on understanding the root causes of your menopause-related concerns. Our integrative approach combines conventional, holistic, and functional medicine to help you manage this transition naturally and smoothly.

We treat the whole person—not just the symptoms.

What Are Menopause Types?

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop, signaling the end of her reproductive years. It occurs when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, leading to a variety of changes in the body. There are several different types of menopause, each with distinct causes and symptoms:

  • Natural Menopause: The most common type, occurring when the ovaries naturally stop producing hormones. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
  • Premature Menopause: Occurs before the age of 40, often due to genetic factors, autoimmune disorders, or surgical interventions such as oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries).
  • Induced Menopause: Results from medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, which damage the ovaries or disrupt hormone production.
  • Perimenopause: The transitional period leading up to menopause, where hormonal fluctuations occur and symptoms may begin several years before the last period.

While these types of menopause share some common symptoms, each woman’s experience is unique. It’s essential to understand which type of menopause you are going through to tailor the treatment approach effectively.

Common Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause can bring a range of symptoms, some of which may interfere with daily life. Common symptoms include:

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek a comprehensive evaluation to understand the root causes and find effective solutions.

Root Causes: Why Did You Develop Menopause Symptoms?

Functional medicine aims to uncover the “why” behind menopause symptoms, which are often related to hormonal imbalances and other underlying factors. The root causes of menopause symptoms can include:
  • Hormonal imbalances: Declining levels of estrogen and progesterone are the primary cause of menopause symptoms.
  • Stress: Chronic stress leads to elevated cortisol levels, which can disrupt hormone balance and exacerbate menopause symptoms.
  • Genetics: Family history plays a significant role in when menopause will occur and the severity of symptoms.
  • Lifestyle factors: Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption can all contribute to the intensity of menopause symptoms.
  • Poor sleep: Hormonal fluctuations can affect sleep patterns, and poor sleep further disrupts hormone regulation.
  • Gut health: A disrupted microbiome can affect hormone metabolism, which may worsen symptoms like weight gain and mood swings.
At Patients Medical, we aim to address these root causes with a personalized and holistic treatment approach.

Diagnostic Testing We Use

To understand the underlying causes of your menopause symptoms, we use advanced diagnostic testing. These tests may include:

Hormone panels (estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones) to assess hormonal imbalances

Adrenal function tests to evaluate cortisol levels and overall adrenal health

Comprehensive blood work to check for nutritional deficiencies that could be exacerbating symptoms

Gut health analysis (stool microbiome testing) to assess the impact of gut imbalances on hormonal health

Sleep studies to evaluate the quality of your sleep and identify any underlying issues like sleep apnea

Vitamin D and B12 testing to detect deficiencies that can affect mood, energy, and overall well-being

These tests help us design a tailored treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.

Integrative Treatments for Menopause

Nutritional Therapy

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet can help manage menopause symptoms by balancing hormones, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall health. Our personalized nutrition plans may include:
  • Anti-inflammatory, hormone-balancing diets (e.g., Mediterranean diet, plant-based foods)
  • Phytoestrogen-rich foods like soy, flaxseeds, and legumes to support hormonal health
  • Low-glycemic meals to support healthy blood sugar levels and reduce weight gain
  • Nutrient-dense foods to address deficiencies that can worsen menopause symptoms, including magnesium, vitamin D, and B vitamins

IV Vitamin Therapy

IV vitamin therapy is an effective way to quickly replenish nutrients that are essential during menopause. Our custom IV infusions may include:
  • Magnesium to support relaxation and reduce hot flashes
  • B vitamins to boost energy and improve mood
  • Vitamin D to support bone health and reduce inflammation
  • Glutathione for detoxification and immune support
These therapies can provide rapid relief from menopause-related fatigue, mood swings, and other symptoms.

Herbal & Nutraceuticals

We recommend evidence-based herbal and nutritional supplements to support hormone balance and alleviate menopause symptoms:

  • Black cohosh to relieve hot flashes and night sweats
  • Vitex (Chaste Tree) to balance estrogen and progesterone levels
  • Ashwagandha to reduce stress and support adrenal health
  • Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular health
  • Vitamin E and evening primrose oil to improve skin health and reduce hot flashes

These supplements are carefully dosed and monitored by our medical team.

Stress Reduction

Managing stress is crucial for balancing hormones and alleviating menopause symptoms. We offer several therapies to reduce stress and promote emotional well-being:

  • Meditation and mindfulness to reduce cortisol levels and promote hormonal balance
  • Acupuncture to support overall health and reduce hot flashes and anxiety
  • Adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola and holy basil to support the adrenal glands and reduce stress

Hormone Balancing

Balancing hormones is essential for managing menopause symptoms. We use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) or other integrative methods to help restore balance to your hormones, including:

  • Estrogen and progesterone to alleviate hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness
  • Thyroid optimization to address thyroid imbalances that can affect metabolism and energy
  • Cortisol management to reduce stress and improve sleep quality

These therapies can provide significant relief from the most common menopause symptoms.

Real Case Study: Jennifer’s Journey Through Menopause

Jennifer, age 48, came to us struggling with severe hot flashes, fatigue, and mood swings. After testing, we discovered low progesterone, high cortisol, and vitamin D deficiency. We created a personalized treatment plan that included:

  • Nutrient-dense, hormone-balancing diet
  • BHRT with bioidentical progesterone and estrogen
  • IV vitamin therapy to address magnesium and vitamin D deficiencies
  • Stress management techniques, including meditation and acupuncture

Six weeks later, Jennifer’s hot flashes were significantly reduced, her mood improved, and she had more energy.

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many women can find relief from menopause symptoms through natural approaches such as dietary changes, herbal supplements, hormone balancing, and stress management.

Menopause symptoms are primarily caused by a decrease in estrogen and progesterone production, leading to hormonal imbalances that affect mood, metabolism, and other bodily functions.

The duration of menopause symptoms varies. While some women experience symptoms for a few months, others may deal with them for several years. Our approach helps to alleviate symptoms quickly and support long-term hormonal balance.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can be effective in managing menopause symptoms, especially for women with significant hormone imbalances. We offer customized hormone treatments based on your individual needs.

We are an out-of-network provider but offer superbills for insurance reimbursement. Some lab tests and treatments may be partially covered.

Yes, hormonal fluctuations during menopause can impact mental health, leading to symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and even depression. Managing these symptoms through stress reduction techniques, hormone balancing, and lifestyle changes can help improve mental well-being.

Weight gain is a common symptom of menopause due to hormonal changes that affect metabolism. A combination of a healthy, nutrient-dense diet, regular physical activity, stress management, and hormone balancing can help regulate weight during this transition.

Yes, there are several non-hormonal treatments for menopause, including herbal supplements like black cohosh, lifestyle changes (such as exercise and stress reduction), acupuncture, and nutrition therapy. These can be effective in managing symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, where women experience hormonal fluctuations that may cause irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. Blood tests and an evaluation of symptoms can help determine if you are entering perimenopause.

Menopause can affect your sex life due to vaginal dryness, hormonal changes, and decreased libido. However, treatments such as hormone therapy, vaginal moisturizers, stress reduction, and addressing underlying hormonal imbalances can help improve sexual health and intimacy.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

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To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

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1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

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