Featured Post from ChristianaCare

New Trends and Treatments in Menopause Care

Hormone therapy, complementary therapy and lifestyle options to consider

Oct 18, 2024

4 min

Janice Tildon-Burton, M.D.


CaptionResizeWrap TextRemove

If you’re in your 40s and you menstruate, you may already be experiencing the effects of menopause: the point in life when your menstrual cycle stops permanently, which arrives for most people around the age of 50. This hormonal shift comes with numerous symptoms, some of which are manageable with at-home care and others—like intense mood swings, hot flashes or trouble sleeping—may need medical attention.


Menopause has officially happened when a year has passed since your last period. The roughly two to eight years before that, when periods become irregular and fertility decreases, is known as perimenopause. Some people experience perimenopause in their 30s and some as late as their early 50s, but most reach perimenopause in their late 40s.


Menopause is a naturally occurring life change, not a disease, and not everyone requires treatment for it. Many people seek medical help to deal with their symptoms. There are many new trends in menopause care, from hormones to drugs to supplements and beyond, and navigating them may feel overwhelming.


What’s safest for managing side effects? Should I buy over-the-counter treatments or seek more involved care from a health care provider—or both?


Read on for answers to these and other important questions on how best to treat menopause symptoms.


Is hormone therapy right for me?


Menopause happens to everyone who menstruates, and it’s important to bring up any symptoms of menopause as they occur at your annual primary care checkup. A gynecologist with special training or interest in the transition from ages 40 to 55 is an ideal specialist to seek additional care and treatment from, especially if you’d like to explore medical treatments like hormone therapy.


Hormone therapy in the form of prescribed estrogen and progestin (both reproductive hormones that exist in the body naturally) has been used since the 1980s to treat the symptoms of menopause. A decline in estrogen is the culprit for many menopause symptoms, so adding estrogen back into the body through hormone therapy helps to diminish symptoms.


Not all people who go through menopause need hormone therapy, but it has numerous positive side effects, including the lessening of some symptoms and lowering the risk of osteoporosis, a loss of bone density that can be exacerbated by natural estrogen decreasing over time as we age. These therapies can be administered in a cream, a patch, or even through low-dose birth control pills. However, hormone therapies can carry an increased risk of some cancers, including breast cancer.


Non-hormonal, complementary medicine and lifestyle options


Non-hormonal options to treat menopause symptoms are growing in popularity and represent an alternative to hormone therapies. Some of these include:


  • Be sure to consult your provider before adding any new drugs or supplements to your daily routine.
  • There are also many popular and effective options for treating menopause symptoms that come from Eastern and herbal medicine traditions. These include acupuncture, which has been shown to help with hot flashes and night sweats, as well as herbal supplements that often accompany treatment from a trained acupuncturist. A main downside to acupuncture can be cost, as the treatment is rarely covered by insurance.
  • Eating mindfully and exercising regularly both also have proven benefits to treat menopause symptoms and to keep our bodies healthy more broadly as we age. This includes getting enough vitamin D and calcium through diet in order to keep bones strong as hormone levels change and to limit caffeine and alcohol consumption.


Challenges in menopause care


Despite the progress made in menopause treatment over the past years, there are still a few main challenges that you may face in menopause care. These include:


Stigmas surrounding speaking openly about symptoms, especially sexual side effects like vaginal dryness and changes in libido that can affect intimacy. It’s important for you to feel empowered to discuss all symptoms with your provider.


The increased availability of at-home tests, purchased online, for menopause and perimenopause. While these tests may be helpful in showing a snapshot of your hormone levels on a given day, more information is needed to diagnose menopause and perimenopause correctly, and at-home results can often be misinterpreted. It’s best to conduct these sorts of tests under the care of your provider, who can place them in the appropriate context.


It can be hard to find the time needed to diagnose and treat menopause symptoms in a clinical setting, especially because it often takes time and communication outside of an office setting to ensure diagnosis and treat symptoms properly. Seeking out a provider who specializes in menopause care helps a great deal to expedite this process and get you the care you need.


Not everyone experiences menopause the same way: for some people, symptoms are mild enough that at-home remedies will meet their needs.


But for those with more intense symptoms—or anyone hoping for clinical support during this challenging time—working closely with a gynecologist will bring you relief and greater insight.

Connect with:
Janice Tildon-Burton, M.D.

Janice Tildon-Burton, M.D.

OB/GYN

Dr. Janice Tildon-Burton is an OB/GYN in Delaware with 30 years of experience in Delaware.

High-Risk PregnancyWomen's HealthMenopauseGynecologyObsterics

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from ChristianaCare

3 min

New Outpatient Cardiology Practice at Wilmington Hospital Expands Access to Life-Saving Care for Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

With the opening of a new cardiology practice at its Wilmington campus, ChristianaCare is bringing life-saving treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD) closer to home for people who live in and around the city of Wilmington. Peripheral artery disease happens when plaque builds up in the arteries and limits blood flow to the legs. This can cause pain, cramping and difficulty walking. If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems like limb loss, heart attack or stroke. “We’re on a mission to improve the heart and vascular health of our community, and one of the key ways we do that is to identify where people need access to care and ensure that it’s convenient, high-quality and accessible. ChristianaCare’s expansion of cardiology services to the Wilmington campus has made it easier for patients in Wilmington and the surrounding community to receive excellent heart and vascular care,” said Kirk Garratt, M.D., MSc, medical director of the Center for Heart and Vascular Health. “Importantly, it’s part of a multi-disciplinary effort to bring a focus on PAD that includes vascular surgery and interventional radiology. We’re expanding those services in the Wilmington community, too.” In Delaware, an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people are living with PAD. The condition is more common among older adults and those with diabetes, high blood pressure or a history of smoking, all of which are widespread in the state. Because symptoms can be subtle, many people may not know they have it. That’s why awareness and early diagnosis are so important. Anyone who experiences leg pain, numbness or slow-healing sores should talk with their doctor. A simple test can measure blood flow, and with the right treatment or lifestyle changes, people can ease symptoms and lower their risk of serious complications. The new practice, located in the Gateway Building at Wilmington Hospital, 501 West 14th Street, 4th Floor, offers convenient access to diagnosis and treatment in the heart of the city. The practice is open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and hours will be adjusted based on patient demand. Meet the Cardiologist: Dr. Vikashsingh Rambhujun Board-certified interventional cardiologist Vikashsingh Rambhujun, MBBS, has cared for ChristianaCare patients for more than a decade and now sees patients at the Wilmington practice. Rambhujun earned his medical degree from SSR Medical College in Mauritius. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the NYU Grossman Long Island School in New York and did his fellowship in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology at ChristianaCare. Rambhujun also spent a year doing interventional cardiology and endovascular medicine and interventions at Yale University Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. His research has been published widely in medical journals. Rambhujun aims to help patients manage PAD before it becomes advanced. When appropriate, he can perform minimally invasive catheter-based procedures to open blockages in the arteries. “We have new patients with blockages that haven’t progressed to the point that they need a procedure, which is where we want to catch them,” Rambhujun said. “We can manage their cholesterol, blood pressure and other risk factors to prevent disease from progressing.” When Rambhujun began practicing in Wilmington, he made it a priority to speak at local community meetings, raising awareness about the warning signs of heart and vascular disease. His message is simple but urgent: don’t wait; seek treatment early. “We’re trying to help people keep their toes and feet,” he said. “When we treat blockages from peripheral artery disease, the difference can be dramatic,” he said. “Patients who once struggled to walk even a short distance because of pain can leave the hospital able to move freely again. Helping someone reclaim their basic freedoms to walk, stay active and enjoy life is incredibly rewarding.”

2 min

ChristianaCare Breaks Ground on New Middletown Health Center

ChristianaCare today broke ground on its new Health Center at Middletown, marking a major milestone in bringing expanded, affordable and exceptional care to families in southern New Castle County and northern Kent County. The center is expected to open in spring 2027. The $92.3 million project reflects a deep investment in the health and vitality of the region and is part of ChristianaCare’s larger plan, announced in July, to invest more than $865 million in Delaware over the next three years. The 87,000-square-foot Health Center will rise at 621 Middletown Odessa Road, next to ChristianaCare’s existing freestanding emergency department. Designed as a modern, multidisciplinary hub, the facility will expand access to comprehensive services and create more than 70 new full-time jobs, boosting both community health and the local economy. “Today we take an exciting step forward for Delaware, as part of ChristianaCare’s $865 million investment to expand access and strengthen health across our state,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, President and CEO of ChristianaCare. “This new health center is a promise to Delawareans: that they will have access to exceptional care close to home, delivered with love and excellence. More than a building, it represents our vision for healthier communities, our deep commitment to those we serve, and a future where every neighbor can thrive.” A Holistic, Patient-Centered Experience The ChristianaCare Health Center at Middletown will bring together a wide range of services in one convenient location, including: Primary and specialty care. Women’s health, behavioral health, oncology, cardiovascular care, pediatrics, neurology, imaging, diagnostics and lab testing. Hybrid exam rooms with interactive digital tools that allow family members to join virtually. Calming waiting areas with sensory-sensitive design features, plus friendly floor ambassadors to help patients navigate the building. Healing environments that include walking trails and abundant natural light. “We are designing care around people, not around appointments or buildings,” said Pauline Corso, president of Ambulatory Network Continuity and Growth at ChristianaCare. “From easy parking to advanced care coordination, every detail of this new center is aimed at making health care more welcoming, more connected and more human.” A Community Partnership ChristianaCare has been part of the Middletown community since 2009, when it first acquired the land that is now home to the freestanding emergency department. Last year, that facility provided care for more than 32,000 patient visits. “This groundbreaking is a proud moment for our town,” said Ken Branner, mayor of Middletown. “ChristianaCare has been a trusted partner for many years, and this new facility shows a lasting commitment to our residents. It will bring top-quality care closer to home and create good jobs right here in our community.”

2 min

ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health Earns NCQA Accreditation, Setting a National Standard in Virtual Care

ChristianaCare’s Virtual Primary Care practice at the Center for Virtual Health has earned full accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), placing it among the first health systems in the nation to achieve this distinction. ChristianaCare was one of only 18 organizations invited to participate in NCQA’s inaugural pilot program in 2023 to develop the Virtual Care Accreditation. The recognition affirms ChristianaCare’s leadership role in shaping the future of health care and its commitment to delivering accessible, equitable and patient-centered care through innovative digital platforms. “This accreditation is a powerful validation of our vision to reimagine health care,” said Sarah Schenck, M.D., FACP, executive director of ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health. “We’ve built a model that meets people where they are—at home, at work or on the go—with care that is personal, proactive and powered by love and excellence.” What Accreditation Means for Patients NCQA accreditation underscores that ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health meets rigorous standards for: Clinical quality and safety: clear care protocols, escalation pathways and outcome monitoring. Access and equity: technology, language and disability-inclusive design that extends care to more people. Data privacy and security: strong safeguards to protect personal health information. ChristianaCare’s participation in NCQA’s pilot helped shape the benchmarks now used nationwide. The center delivers comprehensive virtual primary care through a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, pharmacists and patient digital ambassadors. Virtual Care by the Numbers In 2024, ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health provided more than 7,500 patient visits, reflecting both rapid growth and strong demand for its virtual-first model. Services are offered at no copay to ChristianaCare caregivers and their dependents, while availability continues to expand across Delaware and the region “At ChristianaCare, we believe virtual care isn’t just a convenience, it’s a catalyst for better health outcomes,” said Brad Sandella, D.O., MBA, medical director, Ambulatory Care for the Center for Virtual Health. “This accreditation affirms our commitment to innovation and excellence. We’re proud to be among the pioneers defining what high-quality virtual care looks like in America.” Beginning in 2026, ChristianaCare will expand its Virtual Primary Care practice, giving a broader consumer audience convenient access to primary care. At that time, the service will be covered by most insurance carriers and continue to feature dedicated providers in areas such as behavioral health and neurology. ChristianaCare will also continue working with NCQA and other partners to advance best practices nationwide.

View all posts
Powered by