Reclaim Comfort & Confidence with Personalized Menopause Care
Emkes Health & Wellness in Cypress, TX • Specialized hormone solutions for hot flashes, mood, sleep & beyond
Understanding Menopause and Perimenopause
Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life that marks the end of menstrual periods and fertility. It’s officially diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. In the U.S., the average age for menopause is around 51.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause when your body begins to produce less estrogen. This stage can start 2 to 8 years before menopause, with a typical duration of about 4 years. During this time, you may begin to notice changes in your menstrual cycle and other symptoms.
Smoking can accelerate this transition, often bringing menopause about 2 years earlier than average.
Common Symptom of Menopause and Perimenopause
Many women experience physical and emotional changes during perimenopause and menopause. These may include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Irregular or missed periods
- Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during intimacy
- Sleep disturbances or insomnia
- Fatigue or low energy
- Difficulty concentrating or memory changes
- Decreased libido
Symptoms vary from person to person—some women have mild symptoms, while others may find them more disruptive.
Treatment Options for Menopause and Perimenopause
There are several ways to manage menopause symptoms and support your well-being during this transition:
1. Lifestyle Changes
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Regular exercise
- Stress management techniques like yoga or meditation
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
HRT can relieve many symptoms by replacing the estrogen your body no longer produces. It may be available as pills, patches, creams, or gels. HRT is not suitable for everyone, so your provider will help determine if it's right for you.
3. Non-Hormonal Treatments
- Low-dose antidepressants for mood or hot flashes
- Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants for dryness
- Herbal supplements or alternative therapies (talk to your doctor first)
4. Regular Checkups
Routine health screenings and open communication with your healthcare provider can help you manage symptoms and maintain your quality of life.
Birth Control Pills for Perimenopause Relief and Hormonal Balance
If you're dealing with irregular periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, or hormone-related symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, you're not alone. These changes are common during perimenopause, the transitional phase before menopause. One proven way to manage these symptoms is through low-dose birth control pills.
How Birth Control Helps During Perimenopause
Low-dose combined oral contraceptives contain small amounts of estrogen and progestin, which work together to:
- Regulate menstrual cycles
- Reduce heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Minimize hot flashes and night sweats
- Improve hormonal balance
- Relieve mood swings and other PMS-like symptoms
This form of hormonal treatment for perimenopause can help restore consistency to your cycle and significantly improve your daily quality of life.
Additional Health Benefits of Birth Control Pills
Besides symptom control, birth control for perimenopause offers added health protections, including:
- Lower risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer
- Improved bone density, which helps support bone health during aging
While it’s still being studied whether birth control during perimenopause reduces future osteoporosis or fracture risk, the benefits for many women are clear.
Is Birth Control Right for You During Perimenopause?
Every woman’s body and health history is unique. That’s why it’s important to speak with a provider who specializes in perimenopause treatment and women’s hormonal health. If you’re experiencing disruptive symptoms and want to feel like yourself again, birth control pills may be a safe and effective option.
What Are the Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a highly effective treatment for relieving menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. While many women experience significant benefits, it’s also important to understand the potential risks to make an informed decision that’s right for your body and health history.
At Emkes Health, we personalize every HRT plan to balance relief with safety, using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration needed.
Potential Risks of HRT
- Blood Clots
Estrogen, especially when taken as a pill, may slightly increase the risk of blood clots in the legs or lungs. This risk is lower with skin patches, gels, or creams.
- Stroke
There may be a small increase in stroke risk, particularly in women who start HRT after age 60 or who have other risk factors like high blood pressure or smoking.
- Heart Disease
The risk of heart disease depends on your age and when HRT is started:
- Starting HRT before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause may offer heart-protective benefits.
- Starting it later in life may increase heart-related risks.
- Breast Cancer
Long-term use (typically more than 3–5 years) of combined HRT (estrogen + progestin) may slightly raise the risk of breast cancer. Estrogen-only HRT, which is used in women without a uterus, does not appear to carry the same risk and may even lower it slightly.
- Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
Taking estrogen without progestin in women who still have a uterus can increase the risk of uterine cancer. This is why combined HRT is recommended if you still have your uterus.
- Gallbladder Issues
HRT, particularly oral estrogen, may raise the risk of developing gallstones or needing gallbladder surgery.
- Cognitive Decline (in older women)
Starting HRT after age 65 may be linked to a higher risk of memory loss or dementia. This has not been seen in women who begin HRT earlier.
Your Health Comes First
For many women, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks, especially when used short-term and started early in the menopausal transition. HRT can significantly improve quality of life, help preserve bone density, and support heart health in the right circumstances.At Emkes Health, we’ll guide you through your options with a full evaluation of your health history, lifestyle, and symptoms. Whether you’re managing early menopause, surgical menopause, or just looking for relief from disruptive symptoms, we’re here to help you feel your best—safely and confidently.
Is HRT Right for You?
Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your personalized hormone therapy options.
How Long Should I Take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Finding the Right Balance for Your Health and Comfort
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“How long should I stay on hormone therapy?”
The short answer is: It depends on your individual symptoms, health history, and treatment goals. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” timeline—at Emkes Health, we work with you to find the safest and most effective plan.
General Guidelines for HRT Duration
- For most healthy women, short-term use of HRT—typically 3 to 5 years—is considered safe and effective for managing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
- For women who start HRT before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits often outweigh the risks.
- Vaginal estrogen, used for dryness or discomfort, can often be taken longer-term since it has very low systemic absorption and minimal associated risk.
When to Consider Continuing HRT Longer
Some women may benefit from staying on HRT longer, especially if they:
- Have early or surgical menopause (before age 45)
- Are at risk for osteoporosis or bone loss
- Continue to experience bothersome symptoms that impact quality of life
- Use low-dose vaginal estrogen, which is generally safe for extended use
In these cases, your provider will carefully monitor your treatment and review the risks and benefits with you each year.
When to Reevaluate or Discontinue HRT
We typically reassess your HRT plan every 6 to 12 months. When symptoms become more manageable or health risks increase with age, you may consider:
- Tapering off HRT gradually to avoid sudden return of symptoms
- Switching to non-hormonal alternatives
- Continuing with vaginal estrogen only, if appropriate
FAQs
Q: Is HRT safe?
A: Yes – for many, when started early (under 60, within 10 years of menopause) and monitored. Risks vary by your health profile.
Q: How fast will I feel results?
A: Most women experience relief from vasomotor symptoms within weeks or a few months.
Q: What if I only have vaginal dryness?
A: Low‑dose vaginal estrogen effectively targets urogenital symptoms with minimal systemic exposure.
Q: Do you offer virtual visits?
A: Absolutely—telehealth consultations are available for your convenience.
HRT Program
Initial Lab Visit includes:
- Comprehensive Hormone panel labs
- Required prior to initial HRT-program visit
Initial visit for HRT-program includes:
- Comprehensive consultation including lab result review
- Prescription and monthly supply of required medications
Monthly HRT-program includes:
- Prescription and Monthly supply of required medications
- Periodic access to provider during business hours
Follow Up Labs
- Required every 3-6 months
Restore Balance, Renew Vitality with Hormone Replacement Therapy!
Struggling with fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, or low energy? Hormone imbalances can affect your daily life, but you don’t have to settle for feeling “off.”
At Emkes, we offer personalized HRT plans to help:
- Boost energy & metabolism
- Improve mood & mental clarity
- Enhance sleep & overall wellness
- Support healthy aging & vitality
HRT options include glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones, sex steroids, growth hormone, and vasopressin.
References:
Cynthia A. Stuenkel, Susan R. Davis, Anne Gompel, Mary Ann Lumsden, M. Hassan Murad, JoAnn V. Pinkerton, Richard J. Santen, Treatment of Symptoms of the Menopause: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 100, Issue 11, 1 November 2015, Pages 3975–4011, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-2236
Harper-Harrison G, Carlson K, Shanahan MM. Hormone Replacement Therapy. [Updated 2024 Oct 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493191/
Kaufman MR, Ackerman AL, Amin KA, Coffey M, Danan E, Faubion SS, et al. The AUA/SUFU/AUGS Guideline on Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. Journal of Urology [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jul 21];0(0). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000004589
Loscalzo, Joseph; Fauci, Anthony S.; Kasper, Dennis L.; Hauser, Stephen; Longo, Dan; Jameson, J. Larry. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Twenty-First Edition (Vol.1 & Vol.2) (p. 12855). McGraw Hill LLC. Kindle Edition.
Manson JE, Bassuk SS, Kaunitz AM, Pinkerton JV. The Women's Health Initiative trials of menopausal hormone therapy: lessons learned. Menopause. 2020 Aug;27(8):918-928. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001553. PMID: 32345788.