Menopause

What is menopause?

You officially enter menopause when your ovaries stop producing egg cells, and you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months. However, as you go through perimenopause in the years leading up to menopause, you start to experience symptoms because of the decrease of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

The average age to reach menopause is 52 years old, although the normal range is between 45 and 58. In rare cases, women can reach menopause earlier or later. Although menopause occurs naturally, if you have a complete hysterectomy that includes the removal of your ovaries, you reach immediate menopause. Additionally, medical treatments such as chemotherapy can trigger early menopause.

What are the signs of menopause?

As your hormone production slows, you may experience a wide range of symptoms. You may experience some or all of these symptoms to varying degrees. Your experience is unique, and you may not have the same issues as your sister, mother, or friends.

• Common signs of menopause include:
• Decreased sex drive
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Irritability and mood swings
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Insomnia
• Vaginal atrophy
• Incontinence

Vaginal atrophy is a condition in which the hormonal changes in your body make your vaginal tissue dry and weak. This increases your risk for painful sex, urinary tract infections, and incontinence issues.  

When should I talk to a doctor about menopause?

You should have routine well-woman appointments as you approach menopause. If you start to notice any symptoms, make sure to talk about them with your doctor. They may be able to offer treatments to relieve your discomfort and keep you healthy and active.

How can I manage my menopause symptoms?

The doctors at Women’s Health Services offer customized treatments to help you manage your menopausal symptoms. For example, you may benefit from lifestyle modifications to your diet and exercise habits, which can help you regulate your weight, sleep habits, and in some cases, your mood.

You may also benefit from hormone therapy. Hormone therapy replenishes your hormone levels, which can reduce many menopause symptoms. The team at Women’s Health Services offer highly customized hormone therapy with frequent checkups to ensure the treatment is enhancing your health.

Call Women’s Health Services, or schedule an appointment online today if your menopause symptoms are interfering with your life.