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For all women, menopause is the inescapable consequence of growing older. Yet the negative effects associated with menopause have less to do with the passage of time than with the generalized inflammation caused by the harmful loss of estrogen and progesterone, which accompanies menopause. While most women think of these hormones in terms of their reproductive effects, in actuality, they have diverse and critically important effects throughout the entire body.
Estrogen, now thought to be the most ancient of all hormones, is involved with regulating many of the body’s activities, including the deposition and location of fat, the constant ticking of circadian rhythms, the immune system, appetite and sleep, cognitive functions, bone and muscle health, gut health, the flexibility and vitality of arteries, liver and pancreatic function, and literally all metabolic activities. Estrogen also works to enhance the function of other hormones, such as thyroid and testosterone, helping them to work properly and maintain optimal function.
The loss of ovarian production of estrogen results in metabolic dysfunction and a generalized inflammatory response, altering the intestinal tract’s bacterial composition (microbiota) and resulting in less effective control of the cells of the inflammatory immune system. In turn, this creates worsening insulin resistance, hypertension, gut issues, arterial stiffening and atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, loss of muscle, and memory problems. It is the loss of estrogen which leads women to have nearly triple the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease that men have.
Thriving in the menopause and post-menopausal years is never a simple matter. The use of bioidentical hormones is often an essential part of an effective approach to reducing the impact of menopause. It is also necessary to address nutritional needs, maintain a well-functioning gut microbiome, keep inflammatory processes in check, achieve adequate and functionally appropriate sleep, manage stress successfully, and maintain your cognitive abilities. At IMGI we work with you to develop a comprehensive program, specifically geared towards your unique needs, to tame the flames of menopause and enable you to remain functionally youthful, and physically and emotionally vital.
Why choose our Menopause Program?
We understand the roles played by estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in maintaining optimal health, but are not one-dimensional in our thinking. We appreciate the many systemic changes taking place during the menopause, and we craft treatment programs that address the many complexities of this transition and of the final chapter of a woman’s life, potentially extending for 50 years.
We begin the process of creating your individualized treatment plan by taking an extensive personal history that covers past medical conditions, as well as examining toxic chemical exposures, stress-inducing life events, patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviors, personal relationships, quality of sleep, dietary patterns, and many other complicating factors. We then proceed with advanced testing that details your hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory status; your nutritional status; the health and composition of your gut microbiome; and a myriad of other factors as indicated by your personal history.
We work with you, and only with your agreement, to optimize your hormones with bioidentical hormone replacement, and fine tune your nutritional status, your level of fitness, control your stress, optimize your skincare, and offer the highest quality of natural supplementation. We will work with you to enable you to stay strong, vital, and happy through the decades to come.
Finding knowledgeable and compassionate medical care in any community can be challenging, particularly when complex medical conditions are involved. And finding a fellowship-trained integrative medical doctor may be impossible. To answer this need we offer the following telemedicine options.
TeleMedicine Appointments for California Residents
Though we always encourage initial visits to be in person, in-state residents have the option of scheduling initial and all follow-up visits via phone or Skype, during which all aspects of health can be specifically addressed. Callers under 18 years old require parental consent.
TeleMedicine Appointments for Residents Outside California
Differing state laws make telemedicine more challenging, though certainly not impossible. Your first visit must be at our Irvine, California, office. Follow-up appointments can be accomplished by phone or Skype, but periodic visits to our office are required. State laws are expected to change and will become less restrictive in the future. International patients have more flexibility with appointments. Callers under 18 years of age require parental consent.
If you would like to arrange a TeleMedicine Appointment, please call our office at 949-753-7475.