Menopause Care
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Physician-led care for menopause, perimenopause and PMS in Surfside Beach — beginning with a two-hour initial consultation, state-of-the-art lab testing, and a bioidentical hormone program customized to your unique physiologic needs. Menopause can be the greatest time of your life.
MEET YOUR PHYSICIAN
Allen Smolenski, M.D.
Dr. Smolenski founded Coastal Medical Clinic in 2009 after his own health transformation — losing nearly 60 pounds, then placing third in a national natural bodybuilding contest at age 44. His patients travel from as far as Virginia for help with hormone balance, nutritional deficiencies and age-related illness.
Emergency Medicine physician · Fellowship training in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine (A4M) · Founder, Coastal Medical Clinic
Meet Dr. Smolenski →“It is amazing to me that this kind of treatment is not routinely offered to women who suffer from the often debilitating effects of menopause... With state of the art laboratory testing Dr Smolenski can answer these questions and many others at Coastal Medical Clinic. Dr Smolenski is one of the most compassionate, caring and thorough physicians I have ever had the opportunity to work with... Not only do I look years younger, I feel great and my energy levels have never been better.”
— Melissa Patton, Doctor of Physical Therapy
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. 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.
Signs of menopause and hormone imbalance
The signs of menopause and hormone imbalance include the following. These symptoms are also affected by stress, nutritional deficiencies, physical conditioning and the environmental toxins we are exposed to every day — and weight gain in particular is often misdiagnosed: many women have desperately tried to lose weight and failed, because no one has ever taken the time to listen to their concerns and make the connection to hormone imbalance.
Hot flashes & night sweats
Among the most common symptoms Dr. Smolenski sees in women presenting to Coastal Medical Clinic.
Weight gain
Often one of the first signs of hormone imbalance — and frequently misdiagnosed. Weight gain associated with thyroid disease, adrenal fatigue, menopause and perimenopause catches many women by surprise.
Mood swings & memory loss
The emotional roller coaster of menopause, along with memory loss, can leave you feeling unlike yourself.
Low libido & vaginal dryness
Low libido and vaginal dryness are common, treatable signs of hormone imbalance.
Insomnia & fatigue
Insomnia and fatigue go hand in hand with hormonal change — and with disrupted sleep, everything else gets harder.
Skin, hair & bone changes
Thin skin, hair loss and wrinkles, and bone loss and osteoporosis, are all driven in part by declining hormones.
PMS, endometriosis & fibroids
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), endometriosis, and fibroids and ovarian cysts are also part of the hormone-imbalance picture.
An integrative approach
Using an integrative medicine approach, Dr. Smolenski understands that hormone imbalance and nutritional deficiencies are associated with many chronic diseases and health problems, including autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, breast 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, and 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 own mechanisms of self-repair and growth to prevent and treat most medical diseases.
And 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, he has helped many women discover that menopause can be the greatest time of their lives.
What your care includes
Dr. Smolenski's bioidentical hormone therapy program for women is a complete program, not a prescription:
A two-hour initial consultation
Two full hours with Dr. Smolenski — you will not feel rushed. We treat each patient the way we would want to be treated, in a family-friendly environment conducive to education, understanding and compassionate care.
State-of-the-art laboratory testing
Saliva, urine and blood specimens assess your hormone balance, cardiovascular risk factors and nutritional deficiencies — and, after you start therapy, monitor your hormone levels and progress.
A customized treatment program
A comprehensive bioidentical hormone therapy and anti-aging program built for you. You receive a copy of your labs and a written plan detailing your unique needs and the latest medical and scientific research behind your treatment goals.
Advanced metabolic & genomic testing
Offered to guide breast and prostate cancer prevention.
Fitness and nutrition programs
Fitness, nutrition and weight loss programs are offered as needed, alongside the hormone program.
Stress reduction strategies
Strategies essential to balance anabolic and catabolic hormones.
A local compounding pharmacy
The highest quality bioidentical hormones through a local compounding pharmacy. If you live outside the Surfside Beach area or prefer a more private delivery method, arrangements can be made for shipping to your home or office.
A customized vitamin program
Pharmaceutical-grade nutraceuticals, vitamins, minerals and herbs in convenient daily packets — no “shopping,” and for less than the products would cost purchased individually.
Ongoing evaluations
Follow-up focuses on balancing your hormones in accordance with your symptoms — critical for an effective bioidentical hormone program. Dr. Smolenski meets with you to discuss your progress and symptoms.
RELATED ARTICLES
Keep reading
Menopause
Dr. Smolenski's overview of menopause — what it is, what causes the symptoms, and how they can be treated.
Read article →Menopause and Hormone Replacement
How hormone replacement fits into menopause care, in Dr. Smolenski's own writing.
Read article →Estrogen Dominance
What estrogen dominance is, how it develops, and the symptoms it can drive.
Read article →Ready to discuss what's next?
Request a consultation with Dr. Smolenski to discuss your concerns, your evaluation, and the appropriate next steps for your care.