Menopause care
Perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause are three different stages with different needs. Dr. Balat's approach starts by working out which one you are in, and what is actually driving your symptoms.
Often begins in the early to mid forties and can last several years.
Hormone levels swing rather than fall steadily. Periods change, sleep and mood suffer, and symptoms can arrive while cycles are still fairly regular. Many women in this stage are told they are too young for it to be hormonal.
Confirmed after twelve months in a row without a period.
Menopause is a single point in time, most often reached in the early fifties. Hot flashes, night sweats and sleep disruption are frequently at their most intense in the year or two around it.
Every year after that point.
Some symptoms fade. Others, such as vaginal dryness and bladder changes, tend to progress without treatment. Long-term bone, heart and metabolic health become part of the plan.
Your first appointment is a conversation before it is anything else. Dr. Balat will want to hear how your symptoms started, what they are doing to your sleep, work and relationships, and what you have already tried.
From there, the evaluation may include:
Most women do best with a combination. Your plan depends on your stage, your symptoms and your health history.
The most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, and protective for bone. Whether it suits you is an individual decision. How Dr. Balat approaches hormone therapy.
For women who cannot or prefer not to use hormones, several prescription options reduce hot flashes and improve sleep.
Low-dose vaginal therapy, the hormone-free MonaLisa Touch, and the O-Shot address dryness, painful intercourse and mild leakage.
Weight change, cholesterol, blood sugar and bone density shift after menopause. They are monitored as part of your ongoing care.
Night sweats, anxiety and low mood are often hormonal in part. Treating the cause can make other help more effective.
Heavy or irregular bleeding in perimenopause is evaluated properly, including for fibroids and polyps, with minimally invasive options when needed.
Any bleeding after you have gone twelve months without a period needs to be checked promptly. So does bleeding that soaks through protection every hour, bleeding between periods that is new for you, or pelvic pain that is getting worse. Call (713) 522-3333. In an emergency, call 911.
Book a visit at the Binz Street office, or start with an online consultation if you would rather talk first.