Menopause Specialist

What is menopause?

Menopause is the inevitable journey that every woman makes from her reproductive years to her post-reproductive years. Most women begin this transition in their mid to late 40s, during a period known as perimenopause. During this time, your ovaries begin to wind down egg production, which also means that your estrogen and progesterone levels drop at the same time.

Once you’ve no longer had your period for 12 months in a row, which typically happens in your early 50s, you’ve officially begun menopause.

While saying goodbye to your menstrual cycle can be a great relief, the drop in your reproductive hormone levels may bring on a host of equally, if not greater, quality-of-life issues.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Every woman experiences menopause differently. The lucky ones pass through menopause smoothly with no serious side effects, while others struggle with symptoms, such as:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness and painful sex
• Incontinence
• Weight gain
• Mood changes
  
  

The severity and duration of these symptoms vary from one woman to the next. The bottom line is that if you’re experiencing prolonged symptoms that are interfering with your life, you should make an appointment with the team at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, to find relief.

How does menopause affect my general health?

Estrogen has a vast influence on your body. You need estrogen to regulate bone metabolism, prevent the loss of collagen in your skin, and maintain elasticity in your blood vessels, to give you a few examples.

When you lose estrogen at menopause, your skin becomes frail and dehydrated. Additionally, you’re at risk of developing problems like osteoporosis and heart disease.

What are the treatments for menopause?

The primary treatment for menopause is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is safe for most women, especially when you start HRT shortly after reaching menopause. However, there is one exception: You shouldn’t take HRT if you have a history of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

Your provider does a blood test to verify your hormone levels, then prescribes a precise dose that restores normal levels of estrogen. HRT effectively relieves your menopause symptoms and also helps prevent chronic conditions like osteoporosis.

For expert support and treatment during menopause, call the team at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, or request an appointment online today.