Women - Perimenopause and Menopause

Bioidentical Hormones and Integrative Therapies for Women

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Menopause can be the greatest
time of your life! click here

What is Menopause?

Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation and fertility, defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period.  Menopause is a naturally occurring process, not a disease. However, the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause are very real and can disrupt your sleep, cause fatigue and weight gain, and — at least indirectly — create feelings of despair and sadness.

Hormonal imbalances cause the physical symptoms of menopause, perimenopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), thyroid dysfunction and adrenal fatigue. These may include weight gain, hot flashes and night sweats, insomnia, and mood swings. When these symptoms are interrupting your vitality and sense of wellness you shouldn't hesitate to get treatment. Many treatments are available, from lifestyle adjustments to bioidentical hormone therapy.

The signs of menopause and hormone imbalance include:

  • Weight Gain
  • Hot Flashes
  • Emotional Roller Coaster
  • Memory Loss
  • Low Libido and Vaginal Dryness
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Thin Skin, Hair Loss and Wrinkles
  • Bone Loss and Osteoporosis
  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Endometriosis
  • Fibroids and ovarian cysts

Weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia are the most common symptoms of hormone imbalance that Dr Smolenski sees in women presenting to Coastal Medical Clinic. Weight gain associated with thyroid disease, adrenal fatigue, menopause and perimenopause is often misdiagnosed and is one of the first signs of hormone imbalance. Many women have desperately tried to lose weight - but failed - because no one has ever taken the time to listen to their concerns and make the connection to hormone imbalance. These signs of menopause, perimenopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are also affected by stress, nutritional deficiencies, physical conditioning and environmental toxins that we are exposed to everyday.

Using an integrative medicine approach Dr Smolenski understands that hormone imbalance and nutritional deficiencies are associated with many chronic diseases and health problems. These include almost every known medical disease including autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, breast, prostate and other types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia and Alzheimer's, hypertension, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), osteoporosis and many others.

Dr Smolenski uses bioidentical hormones, which are identical to what your body naturally produces. Dr Smolenski provides a detailed, thorough treatment plan not only to manage the symptoms of menopause, perimenopause, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but also to regenerate the body's endogenous mechanisms of self repair and growth to prevent and treat most medical diseases.

Menopause doesn't mean the end is near - as an anti aging physician Dr Smolenski believes that midlife needn't start until age 60. Menopause does not mean the end of femininity and sexuality. In fact, Dr Smolenski has helped many women discover that menopause can be the greatest time of their lives.

Dr Smolenski's Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Program for Women

  • 2 hour-long initial consultation with Dr Smolenski - you will not feel rushed at Coastal Medical Clinic because we treat each patient the way we would want to be treated. You will find a family friendly environment that is conducive to education, understanding and compassionate care.
  • State of the art laboratory testing utilizing saliva, urine and blood specimens to assess hormone balance, cardiovascular risk factors and nutritional deficiencies.
  • Customized comprehensive Bioidentical Hormone Therapy and Anti Aging treatment program. You will receive a copy of your labs and a written plan that details your unique needs and gives an overview of the latest medical and scientific research that is used to formulate your treatment goals.
  • Advanced metabolic and genomic testing is offered to guide breast and prostate cancer prevention.
  • Fitness, nutrition and weight loss programs are offered as needed.
  • Stress reduction strategies are essential to balance anabolic and catabolic hormones.
  • Highest quality bioidentical hormones are provided through the convenience of a local compounding pharmacy. For those who live outside the Myrtle Beach, SC area or who prefer a more private delivery method, arrangements can be made for shipping to your home or office.
  • A customized vitamin program that supplies all of your pharmaceutical grade neutraceuticals, vitamins, minerals and herbs in convenient daily packets. This program frees our busy patients from the need to go "shopping", and it saves them money too since these customized supplements cost less than the sum of the individual products if purchased separately.

Ongoing evaluations that focus on balancing your hormones in accordance with your symptoms is critical for an effective bioidentical hormone program

To determine your individual needs, state of the art diagnostic testing utilizing saliva, urine and blood specimens are used to assess your hormone balance. After starting bioidentical hormone therapy, Dr Smolenski meets with you to discuss your progress and symptoms and to monitor your hormone levels.

Read about Bioidentical Hormone Therapy for Men