Menopause marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility. It usually occurs naturally between the ages of 45-55 as the ovaries stop producing as much of the key hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Many women experience bothersome symptoms leading up to and during menopause, including:
Over time, the estrogen deficiency of menopause also increases risks for several chronic health conditions:
Catching and addressing hormone imbalance early on can help minimize these risks.
Hormone therapy (HT) replaces diminished hormones like estrogen, often combined with progestogen. When properly managed, HT can:
Balance Clinic customizes hormone therapy to each woman's needs for maximized safety and efficacy.
Estrogen therapy is the foundation of most hormone regimens at menopause. Estrogen helps stabilize debilitating symptoms like hot flashes while protecting bone and heart health long-term.
The main types of estrogen therapy are:
Balance Clinic carefully evaluates each method to identify the optimal estrogen therapy for every patient.
For women with an intact uterus, progestogen must be included with estrogen therapy to guard against uterine cancer risks. Options include:
Our practitioners help weigh alternatives like pills versus IUD to best meet personal preferences around bleeding patterns.
Some women may benefit from additional testosterone therapy to help improve:
Balance Clinic offers comprehensive lab testing to assess needs for supplemental testosterone, available as gels, creams or pellets.
For those who cannot take standard formulations, we also provide customized compounded hormone therapy to ensure treatment access regardless of sensitivities or route limitations.
As a specialized hormone clinic since 1999, Balance Clinic offers unparalleled expertise in menopause care and hormone therapy (HT).
Our clinic is led by Dr. Sharon Smith, board certified physician and menopause specialist with over 20 years of experience optimizing hormone therapy. Patients benefit from her expertise prescribing therapies tailored to each woman's changing needs over the menopause transition.
Dr. Smith heads an interdisciplinary team also including a nutritionist, mental health professional and pharmacist to provide comprehensive supportive care.
We utilize advanced hormone tests for accurate diagnoses of deficiencies and precise treatment planning. Ongoing safety monitoring then helps optimize and adjust regimens over time for maximal benefits and minimal risks tailored to each patient.
Balance Clinic prioritizes holistic wellness with nutrition, fitness, mindfulness and preventive health guidance as key parts of our menopause care. We help empower women to take charge of their health during this major life transition.
Located in the heart of San Antonio, Balance Clinic offers a warm, supportive environment to access leading menopause and hormone therapy (HT) solutions. We work collaboratively with each woman to navigate changes during the menopausal transition and beyond.
We encourage any woman struggling with menopausal symptoms or concerned about long-term health to explore Balance Clinic specialized solutions.
Schedule a consultation to meet with Dr. Smith and our care team for a full assessment of your symptom burden and risks. We will take time to understand lifestyle factors and health goals while creating a customized care plan.
Precise advanced hormone testing helps clarify deficiencies that may be contributing to symptoms and risks. We explain key benchmarks and interpret results collaboratively.
Dr. Smith thoughtfully prescribes therapies like estrogen or testosterone matched to each woman's deficiency profile, health status and preferences. We walk through options to make informed shared decisions.
With regular follow up visits, we track response to therapy and tweak approaches as needed over months and years. The goal is to continually optimize hormone balance for your changing needs.
We are privileged to support San Antonio area women through every step of the menopause transition. Contact Balance Clinic today to learn more or schedule your personalized consultation.
Early signs may include hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness or painful sex. Periods also often become irregular months to years before final menstrual period.
There is no one test to diagnose menopause. We assess symptoms along with hormone blood tests, especially follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol and anti-mullerian hormone levels over time.
There are some health risks to consider, but these are often minimal in symptomatic women under 60 starting therapy within 10 years of final period. Balance Clinic specializes in risk stratification and care management for excellent safety profiles.
Some women get modest relief of symptoms from over the counter lubricants, moisturizers, dietary supplements or cooling gels. But for persistent or severe menopause concerns, customized prescription hormone therapy is superior.
Out-of-pocket fees vary based on the types and frequency of hormone therapy. Many plans cover a portion, especially with confirmed diagnoses. Our team gladly verifies your benefits specifics.
