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We offer full evaluation and treatment for the menopausal patient. Treatment is individualized. Deciding the best treatment for a patient may involve hormonal testing, but it mostly involves a careful history, focusing on major health concerns.
Menopause is the period of life when a woman loses her ability to ovulate and her ovarian function gradually declines. The average age of menopause (no more periods) is 51 years old. However, symptoms of menopause may begin in the 40s. The most noticeable symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, changes in libido and vaginal dryness.
We offer full evaluation and treatment for the menopausal patient. Treatment is individualized. Deciding the best treatment for a patient may involve hormonal testing, but it mostly involves a careful history, focusing on major health concerns. Menopause is a time period in which osteoporosis, heart disease, weight gain, cancer surveillance and body image issues become paramount concerns in caring for patients.
Menopause treatment options that we commonly offer are:
Menopause typically begins when a woman reaches her 40s or 50s. Symptoms may be more pronounced at the beginning of the process and can last a few years.
Perimenopause is the stage the occurs several years before a woman reaches menopause. The body begins to make less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. During this time, patients may experience the start of symptoms that will continue through menopause. If more than 60 days elapse in between menstruation, this may be a sign that a woman is nearing the end of perimenopause.
The severity of symptoms and how long they last during menopause varies for each woman. The most common signs of menopause include:
When nearing menopause, periods may become irregular in regard to how often it occurs, how long it lasts, and how heavy it is. Certain medications, including birth control, can help make your period more regular.
Hot flashes are the most frequent symptom of menopause and can result in a feeling of heat, a flushed face or neck, or sweating. Many women experience night sweats, which are hot flashes that come on during the night, and can make it difficult to sleep. Avoiding certain triggers of hot flashes can help, like stress, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, or tight clothing.
The changes in hormones can cause changes in your mood and can worsen existing anxiety or depression. Forgetfulness can stem from this additional stress. Women should contact a doctor if they have been feeling down for an extended period of time or think they are forgetting things too often.
The skin around the vagina can become drier during and after menopause because of the drop in estrogen levels, which can cause sex to be painful.
Postmenopause is the period after menopause when a woman hasn’t had her period for 12 months. The symptoms related to menopause gradually improve for most women. However, because of the lower level of estrogen, postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of certain health problems, including osteoporosis and heart disease. It’s important to continue to see your OBGYN for routine exams and tests even after menopause.