Menopause Questions & Answers

What is Menopause?

Medically, you are in menopause when you’ve gone 12 months without your period, marking the end of your fertility. Most women in the United States reach menopause in their 50s. However, you may start to experience the symptoms associated with menopause well before, referred to as perimenopause, sometime in your 40s.

You can’t stop menopause, but the team at Gentle Hands OBGYN can provide treatment to reduce the physical and emotional symptoms that accompany this life change so you can go back to enjoying the things you love to do.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Menopause symptoms vary from woman to woman, both in severity and type. Your mother’s menopausal symptoms may provide some clues as to what you might expect.

Common symptoms you may experience include:

  • Irregularity in menstruation
  • Hot flashes or night sweats
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Mood changes
  • Weight gain
  • Vaginal dryness

Fluctuations in your hormone levels, namely estrogen, cause these symptoms. Decreasing estrogen levels may also affect other elements of your health, including an increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.

What Can I Do to Relieve My Symptoms?

Treatment for menopausal symptoms depends on the severity and your personal health.

Common treatment options include:

  • Hormone therapy ( pills, patches, gels, creams, pellets)
  • Estrogen suppositories (for the vagina)
  • Antidepressants
  • Gabapentin, an anti-seizure medication that reduces hot flashes
  • Clonidine, a medication for blood pressure that treats hot flashes
  • Veozah

Many women have concerns about using hormone therapy for the management of menopausal symptoms due to potential health risk. For treatment options to improve the symptoms menopause causes, call to schedule an appointment.

Perimenopause Vs. Menopause

The transition from perimenopause to menopause is a major life change for women. It can be difficult to know what to expect during this time, especially since the symptoms and signs of perimenopause and menopause can be quite different. Our team is here for you to help you get a proper diagnosis of your transition and talk about how you can manage your symptoms during this time.

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, can be 8-8 yrs PRIOR TO THE LAST menstrual. During perimenopause, estrogen levels start to decline and this can cause a variety of symptoms. Some common perimenopause symptoms include:

  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Mood swings
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Fatigue

Each woman’s experience with perimenopause is unique and these symptoms can vary in severity from woman to woman. It is important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms as they may be able to help you manage them.

There are many treatment options available for perimenopause symptoms, including lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, and medications.