Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is the stage in a woman’s life when her menstrual cycle stops naturally because her ovaries no longer produce estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that controls your menstrual cycle.

On average, women in the United States reach menopause between the ages of 51 and 52. Once you reach menopause, you can no longer get pregnant. 

What is perimenopause?

You officially reach menopause when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without your period. However, before you reach this stage of your life, you go through perimenopause, which usually occurs in your 30s and 40s.

During perimenopause, your ovaries produce fluctuating amounts of estrogen, which may lead to changes in the regularity of your menstrual cycle. Your periods may be longer or shorter, heavier or lighter. It’s also possible to go months without a period during perimenopause. 

What are menopause symptoms?

Many of the symptoms associated with menopause begin during perimenopause. The type and severity of your symptoms may vary. For some women, menopause symptoms are mild. However, for other women, the symptoms are severe and disruptive to daily life. 

Common menopause symptoms include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood changes
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Weight gain
• Low libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Increase in vaginal and urinary tract infections

In addition to the physical symptoms you experience from your fluctuating hormones, loss of estrogen also increases your risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. 

How is menopause treated?

The experienced team at Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology, LLC, develops individualized treatment plans for menopause based on the severity of your symptoms and your overall health. Your treatment plan may include:

• Diet recommendations
• Exercise program
• Regular ongoing gynecological care

To manage symptoms, the team may recommend hormone therapy, which may include estrogen-only hormone therapy or estrogen plus progestin (combined hormone therapy) if you had a hysterectomy. 

In addition to alleviating symptoms, hormone therapy may also improve bone and heart health and reduce your risk of gynecological cancers. 

Other treatment options for your menopause symptoms include antidepressants, gabapentin, or clonidine. The team also offers MonaLisa Touch®, a vaginal revitalization tool that uses gentle laser energy to improve vaginal health and alleviate dryness and discomfort.  

The team works closely with you to design a treatment plan that matches your health needs and goals. Contact Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology, LLC, by phone or book an appointment online today to schedule your menopause evaluation.