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
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from ChristianaCare

ChristianaCare, Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics Launch Research Collaboration to Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis featured image

3 min

ChristianaCare, Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics Launch Research Collaboration to Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Researchers at ChristianaCare and Delaware-based Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics (LisenID) are launching a study to validate a technology designed to detect one of the earliest molecular markers linked to lung cancer development, potentially helping physicians find answers when biopsy results are unclear. The collaboration, led by ChristianaCare’s Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, will evaluate LisenID’s QCIGISH (Quantitative Chromogenic Imprinted Gene In-Situ Hybridization) diagnostic platform in patients enrolled in ChristianaCare’s lung cancer screening and diagnostics program. Researchers will validate whether the technology can identify early molecular changes linked to cancer in tissue samples before those changes are visible on pathology under a microscope, potentially adding useful information when biopsy results are inconclusive. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Delaware and across the United States. Survival is much higher when the disease is found early, which has increased interest in tools that may help improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis. Addressing a common challenge in cancer diagnosis As cancer screening technology evolves, earlier and smaller lesions are found that clinicians must confidently and accurately diagnose. In about 20% of cases, a lung biopsy does not provide enough information to confirm or rule out cancer. Other times, the tissue sample is limited or the results are unclear, leading to repeat testing, months of delay to diagnosis and worse patient outcomes. Traditional pathology relies on examining cells under a microscope. LisenID’s technology is designed to detect early molecular changes in biopsy samples linked to cancer that may not yet be visible through standard methods. Researchers will evaluate whether this technology can help in difficult diagnostic cases. “Advances in cancer care depend on evaluating new approaches that may improve diagnosis,” said Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “This collaboration brings together clinicians and researchers to study a technology that could help reduce uncertainty for patients and support better decisions in challenging cases.” Bringing research to patient care The project brings together specialists from ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, including thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists and cancer researchers. The clinical effort is being led by Brian Nam, M.D., chief of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonary. “One of the most difficult situations for patients is when a biopsy does not give a clear answer,” Nam said. “We may not have enough tissue or the results may be unclear. We are evaluating whether this technology can provide additional information that helps guide next steps and reduce uncertainty.” Jennifer Sims-Mourtada, Ph.D., associate director of the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, said the study reflects the center’s focus on moving promising discoveries into clinical testing. “Our role is to rigorously evaluate new approaches in a clinical setting,” Sims-Mourtada said. “This technology has shown promise in published research and through collaborations with leading institutions. We are now working to determine whether it can provide meaningful information that supports better clinical decisions.” Building on prior research The collaboration builds on prior research involving the technology. LisenID reports its platform has been built on research on more than 10,000 clinical cases through collaborations with hospitals and medical centers in the United States and Internationally. Research published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Epigenetics, has suggested that early molecular changes in gene activity may help identify early lung cancer and evaluate small pulmonary nodules. Last year, LisenID also announced a research collaboration with Mayo Clinic focused on advancing applications of its technology in cancer diagnosis. The company was recognized as one of the top graduates of the 2026 Creative Destruction Lab Cancer Stream, a highly selective international accelerator for science-based startups. Tina Cheng, M.D., co-founder of LisenID, said the collaboration will help evaluate the technology in real-world clinical settings. “Some of the earliest changes in cancer occur at a molecular level before they can be seen under a microscope,” Cheng said. “Our goal is to validate the applicability of our test in clinical cases to see how the test can help physicians when standard testing does not provide clear answers.” The collaboration highlights growing ties between Delaware’s health care and biotechnology communities. By combining ChristianaCare’s cancer expertise with LisenID’s diagnostic technology, the organizations aim to improve tools that may help physicians diagnose lung cancer more accurately and earlier.

ChristianaCare Expands Access to Physical Therapy With New In Home Collaboration With Luna featured image

3 min

ChristianaCare Expands Access to Physical Therapy With New In Home Collaboration With Luna

ChristianaCare is joining forces with Luna, the leading provider of in home, in person outpatient physical therapy, to expand access to care by bringing hands on physical therapy directly into patients’ homes. The new service, ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, will begin taking appointments in June. The collaboration is designed to reduce barriers to care, support strong recovery outcomes and give patients a convenient way to begin physical therapy. Care Delivered Where Patients Need It Most Unlike remote or virtual therapy, the service will provide one on one, hands on care delivered by licensed physical therapists in the convenience of a patient’s home or office. Through Luna’s platform, patients can request care and are matched with a licensed physical therapist who delivers 45 to 55 minute in home sessions and continues in person care throughout the patient’s treatment plan. “Our collaboration with Luna reflects a simple belief: if we can safely deliver high quality care in the home, we should make that option available,” said Jennifer Thomas, MBA, MS, vice president, Rehabilitation Services at ChristianaCare. “By meeting patients where they are, we remove common barriers to care and help people stay engaged in their recovery, regain independence and remain connected to daily life.” Designed to Help More Patients Get Started Too many people who are referred to physical therapy never take the first step. Research on patients referred to physical therapy has found that only about 50% to 76% attend an initial appointment. Travel challenges, scheduling conflicts and difficulty accessing care can all get in the way. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, is designed to make it easier for patients to begin care without delay by bringing licensed physical therapists directly to them and offering scheduling that fits into daily life. “Our focus is on timely access and helping patients get started,” Thomas said. “When care is easier to access and fits into a person’s routine, it is much more likely they will begin treatment. From there, our care teams support patients through a plan that is tailored to their needs and focused on meaningful recovery.” Different From Home Health Care ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, follows an outpatient care model, not home health care. Patients do not need to be homebound to receive services. The program focuses on improving strength, balance and movement and is typically covered under Medicare Part B. This differs from home health care, which serves homebound patients who need short term medical services and is usually covered under Medicare Part A. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, can address many of the conditions commonly treated by ChristianaCare Rehabilitation Services, including orthopedic and sports injuries, post surgical rehabilitation, geriatric care, vestibular therapy, women’s health and lymphedema. Experienced Partner With Broad Clinical Expertise Luna has extensive experience delivering in home outpatient physical therapy and partners with health systems nationwide. “We are proud to work with ChristianaCare to expand access to high quality physical therapy in the home,” said Lily Beltran, co-founder and President at Luna. “Our shared focus is on removing barriers to care and delivering consistent, hands on therapy that helps patients recover, stay engaged and achieve their goals.” The service is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare, with the same co pay as facility based physical therapy. Patients can request in home care by calling ChristianaCare Rehab Services’ access center at 302-623-1500. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna is a service offering of ChristianaCare Rehabilitation Services, which provides comprehensive, patient centered rehabilitation care across a wide range of settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient facilities, community locations and now in the home.

ChristianaCare Advances New Health Campus in Camden, Delaware to Close Care Gaps featured image

3 min

ChristianaCare Advances New Health Campus in Camden, Delaware to Close Care Gaps

ChristianaCare has taken another major step to expand access to high quality care across Delaware by submitting a Notice of Intent to the Delaware Health Resources Board to develop a new health campus in Camden. Like the Georgetown campus announced in February, the proposed campus will include a health center and a neighborhood hospital and is part of the $865 million statewide commitment announced last July. “For many people in central Delaware, getting timely emergency or specialty care can still mean long drives or long waits,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and CEO of ChristianaCare. “We are investing in facilities that bring care closer to where people live. This campus reflects our commitment to ensuring every Delawarean, no matter their ZIP code, can count on timely, compassionate, high-quality care close to home.” Closing Care Gaps in Central and Southern Delaware The approximately 38,000‑square‑foot Camden campus will be located on the west side of Route 13, just south of Lochmeath Way. It is expected to open in late 2028 or early 2029 and will bring primary care, specialty care and outpatient services together in one location, supported by eight emergency department beds and eight inpatient beds. The project will create 83 new jobs for the community, including 60 positions at the neighborhood hospital and 23 at the health center. Kent and Sussex counties are both designated as Medically Underserved Areas by the Health Resources and Services Administration. At the same time, the region is growing quickly. By 2030, the population in central and southern Delaware is expected to increase by 8 percent, with residents aged 65 and older growing even faster, by 22 percent. Shortages in primary care, behavioral health and specialty services have forced many residents to travel long distances for care. The Camden campus will help change that by bringing essential services closer to home. Expanding Capacity on a Strong Foundation The Camden campus represents a $58.1 million investment and reflects ChristianaCare’s focus on access, coordination and community need. ChristianaCare already provides a broad range of services in Kent County, including primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, home health, hospice and virtual care. The Camden campus will build on this foundation by increasing capacity and making care more convenient as demand grows. Partnering to Deliver Care Close to Home ChristianaCare is partnering with Emerus Holdings, Inc. on the neighborhood hospital component. Emerus is the nation’s leading developer of this model, with 49 acute care facilities across the country. “Communities are stronger when people can depend on care close to home,” said Vic Schmerbeck, CEO of Emerus Holdings, Inc. “We are proud to partner with ChristianaCare to deliver a neighborhood hospital that provides high quality care in a setting designed around the needs of the community.” Growing Access Across the Region The ChristianaCare Georgetown campus is planned for 20769 DuPont Boulevard at an estimated cost of $65.1 million. ChristianaCare is also expanding this innovative care model beyond Delaware. In July 2025, the system opened a neighborhood hospital at its West Grove Campus in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Additional campuses are planned in Springfield and Aston in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

View all posts
Powered by