Menopause

Menopause is a normal event in a woman's life and occurs when your menstrual cycle stops permanently due to hormonal changes.

Women reach menopause on average at age 51, making it a true mid-life transition that each woman will experience. It may happen earlier for some and for others, as young as in your 30s.

You’ve come through menopause when you haven’t had a monthly period for one year. This can be a good time to add activities that help you stay strong and healthy for your next stage of life.

Causes of Menopause

Menopause is a natural event that happens as a woman ages. By the time you reach your late 30s, your ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. Those hormones regulate your periods.

Menopause Risk Factors

Some medical treatments and physical conditions can lead to early menopause. Talk with your doctor if you have any of the following increased risk factors:

• Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions that occur when your immune system attacks healthy cells.
• Chemotherapy and Radiation: These treatments may induce menopause symptoms, but they may not be permanent.
• Chromosome Defects: Such defects, like Turner Syndrome, can cause early menopause.
• Epilepsy: This brain disorder causes recurring seizures.
• Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: This condition may cause premature menopause because the ovaries fail to produce the normal levels of hormones.
• Smoking: Tobacco can make menopause occur earlier and with more symptoms.
• Total Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy: These surgeries for cervical or other cancers will result in immediate menopause.

Menopause Symptoms

Because every woman is different, so are her menopause symptoms. For some, menopause symptoms disrupt their lives. Others have very few symptoms. Also, some symptoms are simply part of the aging process. 

You may want to keep track of your symptoms and talk them through with your doctor.

Symptoms of menopause can include:

• Changing feelings about sex
• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Mood changes
• Osteoporosis
• Trouble sleeping
• Vaginal and urinary problems

When to See a Doctor

Most women do not need to see a doctor as they experience menopause. However, call your doctor if symptoms are interfering with your sleep and daily life, or if you experience:

• Bleeding after having no periods for six months or more
• Bleeding between menstrual periods, when your periods are normally regular
• Menstrual periods that are unusually heavy, irregular, or much longer than normal
• Hot flashes, insomnia, or mood swings that don't resolve on their own
• Pain or burning during urination
• Unexplained bleeding while you are taking hormones
• Vaginal pain or dryness that doesn't improve with other treatment

If you have concerns about menopause, discuss them with your gynecologist or schedule an appointment with one of our women’s health experts.

Diagnosing Menopause

We understand menopause and know that you may need help managing your symptoms.

Blood Test

After reviewing your symptoms, your healthcare provider may suggest a blood test to check your hormone levels.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels increase during menopause, while estrogen levels decrease.

A blood test may also show low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). It can indicate an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which can cause symptoms similar to menopause.

Treating Menopause

Some women find that their symptoms go away by themselves or they self-manage symptoms.

But if you're bothered by symptoms, there are many ways to deal with them, including medications and lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle Changes

Easing your menopause symptoms may not require medication. Finding relief might be as simple as making a few lifestyle changes.

• Hot Flashes: Try avoiding spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and stress, which are all hot-flash triggers. Dress in layers, so you can remove a layer or two to regulate your temperature. And take slow, deep breaths when you feel a flash starting.
• Memory Problems: Fogginess and forgetfulness can be eased with enough sleep and physical activity.
• Mood Swings: Learn how to deal with stress, stay active, and get enough sleep. Also, visit your doctor to rule out depression.
• Sleep Problems: Try going to sleep and waking at the same times every day. Avoid caffeine after noon, physical activity close to bedtime, and napping during the day.
• Vaginal Dryness: Use a water-based, over-the-counter lubricant or vaginal moisturizer.

Medical Treatment

If you’re experiencing severe menopause symptoms, there are multiple prescription medicines and supplements to treat them.

Your healthcare provider will ensure that you understand the risks and benefits of any treatment you may choose:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Low-dose estrogen, with progestin if you still have your uterus, may be prescribed to relieve hot flashes. Long-term use of these synthetic hormones may increase cardiovascular and breast cancer risks.
• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: This therapy relies on hormones compounded and processed chemically into identical replicas of hormones the body produces.
• Mona Lisa Touch™: This is a painless, non-hormonal treatment for vaginal atrophy and dryness that stimulates collagen and restores the vagina to a pre-menopausal state.
• Prescription Medications: These types of medications help reduce hot flashes.
• Vaginal Estrogen: The estrogen is released in small amounts directly in the vagina to relieve dryness and discomfort during sex.