Menopause Treatment and Hormone Therapy Near You in Katy, TX
Hot flashes, poor sleep, mood changes and vaginal dryness are common in midlife, but you do not have to simply wait them out. There are effective options, hormonal and non-hormonal.
Menopause treatment starts with understanding which stage you are in and which symptoms bother you most. Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats in healthy women under 60 or within ten years of menopause, and non-hormonal medications help women who cannot or prefer not to use hormones. At our Katy office, Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy matches treatment to your symptoms, health history and preferences.
The Stages of Menopause
Menopause is a transition rather than a single moment, and symptoms can begin years before your last period.
- Perimenopause: often begins in the 40s. Hormone levels rise and fall unpredictably, causing irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep problems and mood changes.
- Menopause: confirmed after 12 months in a row without a period. The average age in the United States is about 51.
- Postmenopause: the years that follow. Hot flashes often ease over time, while vaginal dryness and bladder symptoms may continue or worsen without treatment.
Some women reach menopause early, before age 45, or suddenly after surgery to remove the ovaries or after cancer treatment. Early menopause often warrants hormone therapy to protect bone and heart health, unless there is a reason to avoid it.
Symptom-by-Symptom Relief
Different symptoms respond to different treatments, so your plan is built around what affects you most.
Common symptoms
- Hot flashes and night sweats: hormone therapy or non-hormonal medication
- Sleep problems: treating night sweats, plus sleep habits and other support
- Mood changes and irritability: hormone therapy in perimenopause, counseling or antidepressant medication
- Brain fog: often improves with better sleep and symptom control
- Irregular or heavy periods: hormonal options or evaluation for other causes
Pelvic and long-term health
- Vaginal dryness and painful sex: low-dose vaginal estrogen, DHEA or moisturizers
- Urinary urgency and recurrent UTIs: vaginal estrogen and bladder care
- Low desire: evaluation of hormones, medications and relationship factors
- Bone loss: bone density screening and prevention
- Heart health: blood pressure, cholesterol and lifestyle review
Not every symptom in midlife is caused by menopause. Thyroid problems, anemia, sleep apnea and depression can look similar, so we check for them when appropriate. See our guide to perimenopause symptoms.
Is Hormone Therapy Right for You?
For healthy women under 60, or within ten years of their last period, the benefits of hormone therapy for bothersome symptoms generally outweigh the risks. Women who still have a uterus need a progestogen along with estrogen to protect the uterine lining.
Hormone therapy is usually not recommended if you have a history of breast or endometrial cancer, blood clots, stroke, heart attack, active liver disease or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Risks can include blood clots, stroke and, with longer use of combined therapy, a small increase in breast cancer risk. Transdermal estrogen may carry a lower clot risk than pills for some women.
Learn more about forms of therapy on our hormone replacement therapy page.
Seek emergency care for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, leg swelling with pain, sudden weakness, vision changes or a severe headache. Call 911. Also see a doctor promptly for any bleeding after menopause.
Menopause Care From Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy
Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Her combined training means she treats the full range of menopause symptoms, including the bladder, vaginal and pelvic floor changes that are often overlooked.
As a Doctor of Pharmacy, she brings detailed knowledge of hormone formulations, doses and interactions with your other medications. She reviews the benefits and risks of each option with you and adjusts treatment over time.
Your Menopause Consultation
- Symptom review: which symptoms bother you most and how they affect daily life.
- Personal and family history: including cancer, blood clots, heart disease and stroke.
- Examination: blood pressure, breast and pelvic exam when appropriate.
- Testing when helpful: such as thyroid tests, a lipid panel or bone density screening. Hormone blood tests are not usually needed to diagnose menopause after 45.
- Screening review: making sure mammograms and other screenings are up to date.
Treatment Options
You can choose hormonal, non-hormonal or combined approaches, and your plan can change as your symptoms change.
Hormonal options
- Estrogen therapy: as a patch, gel, spray or pill, with a progestogen if you have a uterus.
- Low-dose vaginal estrogen: for dryness, painful sex and bladder symptoms, with very little absorption into the bloodstream.
- Vaginal DHEA: another option for vaginal symptoms.
- Testosterone: may be considered for postmenopausal women with low desire that causes distress, with careful monitoring.
Non-hormonal options
- Newer non-hormonal medications: that act on the brain’s temperature control center to reduce hot flashes.
- Certain antidepressants and other medications: that can lessen hot flashes and help mood or sleep.
- Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants.
- Lifestyle support: sleep, activity, weight-bearing exercise and limiting triggers such as alcohol.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: for leaking and pelvic discomfort.
Every medication has benefits and possible side effects. We use the lowest effective dose for your symptoms and review your plan at least yearly.
What Can You Expect?
Hot flashes often improve within a few weeks of starting hormone therapy, with full effect in about three months. Vaginal estrogen improves dryness over several weeks to three months. Non-hormonal medications also usually work within weeks. Follow-up visits let us fine-tune your dose or try another option if needed. Results vary from woman to woman.
Menopause Care Near You in Katy
Evidence-based relief for every stage of the menopause transition.
- Board-certified OB/GYN and urogynecologist
- Hormonal and non-hormonal options
- Medication expertise from a physician with a PharmD
- Attention to bladder and vaginal symptoms
- Clear discussion of benefits and risks
- Yearly review of your treatment plan
What Our Patients Say
Patients share their experience of care at our Katy office. Individual results vary.
Dr. Elshatanoufy is simply wonderful! She took the time to thoroughly explain my extensive lab results and other tests, answered all of my questions, and gave me the confidence and peace of mind I needed before moving forward with the procedure.
The entire staff was also incredibly attentive, courteous, and welcoming throughout my visit. I truly loved my experience there and felt very well cared for. I definitely trust Dr. Elshatanoufy and her team with my health needs and would highly recommend them!
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Solafa. She is warm, attentive, and incredibly compassionate. She takes her time during appointments, listens carefully to concerns, and never makes you feel rushed. Her bedside manner is truly wonderful, and she creates such a comfortable and reassuring environment. You can tell she genuinely cares about her patients. Very sweet, professional, and knowledgeable. I’m so grateful to have found her for my mom’s treatment.
Dr. Elshatanoufy was truly lovely to work with. I’ve had a hard time pinning down my symptoms but she was willing to hear my concerns and do a thorough examination to rule out more serious conditions. She was thorough, efficient, patient, gentle, and kind during the pelvic examination, which is a vulnerable position for women. I felt that she genuinely cared for my wellbeing. After receiving less than ideal care at a neighboring practice in Katy, I am really grateful to Dr. E for validating my concerns, making me feel heard, and reassured with my next steps.
The waiting room was pretty busy and cold when I went. Suggest bringing headphones and some long sleeves!
My experience perfection. From check in to check out. Dia was my MA and she was so professional and a pleasure. She answered all my questions and made sure I was taken care of. Dr Elshatanoufy was AWESOME! Great bedside manner and make my exam comfortable. Then I had the pleasure to check out with Elizabeth and she was just as pleasant. I can tell this is an office that cares greatly for their patients!
This was my first visit at Katy Women’s Pelvic Health. It was a great experience, from checking in with a very helpful and friendly receptionist to being seeing by Nida the office manager, Oyin the NP and Dr. E. Everyone was very friendly, professional, and made the visit very comfortable. They thoroughly explained all the finding and the options for treatment. I highly recommend this practice.
Dr E. and her whole staff are gems! They have the best customer service, energy, and I noticed they are great with all other patients besides me. Dr E. really listens to your problems, offers solutions and she explains things so well. You can tell she loves what she does and does a wonderful job at it. I definitely recommend her practice to anyone seeking top notch, high quality care.
Just the kindest people! I was so at ease with the whole experience!! Very knowledgeable, explained everything and answered all my questions!!! Wish I had found her earlier in my life!!
Mi nombre es Nidia, I am a patient at Katy Women’s Pelvic Health and had my surgery less than 15 days ago. This clinic is highly recommended for its excellent medical and humane care. This type of care is provided by the entire staff, in addition to the doctor, including the receptionist, nurses, and health technicians. The surgeon is Solafa Elshatanoufy, who has more than 20 years of experience in women’s pelvic health, offering modern, effective, and minimally invasive treatments in many cases. She is a compassionate and empathetic person who makes you feel safe, listened to, and cared for by expert and professional hands. The environment is clean and welcoming, and thanks to its modernity, I felt almost no discomfort or pain during the procedures, and everything was quick.
One of the best places to see OBGYN. My mom sees Dr. Solafa. The staffs, nurses, Doctors and the services they provide are very professional and welcoming. Highly recommended.
Top-tier doctor and extremely skilled surgeon, I could not have been more blessed to have her taking care of me. Thank you, Dr. E!
Dr. E is a super great Doctor who listens attentively and collaborates closely with patients throughout every step of the process. Additionally, the office staff was professional, courteous, and efficient.
Dr. E is so kind and professional. She listened to all my concerns and had an answer to all my questions. She made sure I was happy with my medications. Her staff is so helpful and make the visit go quickly and efficiently. I am so glad I found Dr E!
Dr. E has the best bedside manner compared to all the doctors I have seen before. She is so knowledgeable and truly cares for her patients and wants the best for everyone. I feel incredibly lucky to find a doctor willing to always spare time for patients. She is amazing and 1000% worth the wait!!!!
Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause Treatment
How do I know if I am in perimenopause?
Irregular periods along with hot flashes, sleep changes or mood changes in your 40s are common signs. The diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and age rather than blood tests.
What is the most effective treatment for hot flashes?
Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. For women who cannot or prefer not to use hormones, non-hormonal medications can also help.
Is hormone therapy safe?
For healthy women under 60 or within ten years of menopause, the benefits generally outweigh the risks. It is not recommended for women with certain cancers, blood clots, stroke or heart disease. We review your personal risk with you.
How long can I stay on hormone therapy?
There is no fixed time limit. Many women use it for several years, and the decision to continue is reviewed at least once a year based on your symptoms and health.
Is vaginal estrogen safe to use long term?
Low-dose vaginal estrogen has very little absorption into the bloodstream and is considered safe for long-term use by most women. Women with a history of breast cancer should discuss it with their oncologist.
Can I get treatment if I am still having periods?
Yes. Perimenopause symptoms can be treated, often with hormonal birth control, low-dose hormone therapy or non-hormonal options.
Do you see patients from outside Katy?
Yes. Women from Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land, Cypress and across Greater Houston are seen at our Katy office.
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If you are searching for menopause or hormone therapy care near you, our office at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320 in Katy is a convenient choice for women across West Houston, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land and Cypress. We also have dedicated pages for Sugar Land, Fulshear, Richmond and Cypress patients.
Ready for Relief From Menopause Symptoms?
Explore hormonal and non-hormonal options with a specialist. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy.
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Katy, TX 77494