Menopause
Menopause may be a natural process, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept uncomfortable or disruptive symptoms as an inevitable part of growing older. At West Kendall OBGYN, a team of skilled gynecologists offers comprehensive menopause care to women from the areas of Doral, Kendall and West Kendall in Miami. If you’d like to learn more about your menopause treatment options, schedule an appointment online, or call to speak with a member of the administrative staff.
Menopause Q&A
What is Menopause?
Menopause is the transition out of your reproductive years. It begins when your ovaries are no longer releasing eggs. That process usually starts between the ages of 45-55, but some women go into early menopause after treatments like a hysterectomy.
Perimenopause occurs in the years before menopause. Postmenopause begins after you’ve completed the menopause transition. Very often there is no clear start or finish to these transitions, so don’t be concerned with whether your timing is “normal” or not. Simply listen to your body and seek care at West Kendall OBGYN when needed.
Technically, menopause begins 12 months after you stop having monthly periods. For many women, however, symptoms begin in the years prior to that change. Knowing what to expect can make it easier to decide when to seek care.
What are the Symptoms of Menopause?
No two women share the exact same experience of menopause, and your journey may be very different from that of friends and even close female relatives. Some of the more common complaints during menopause include:
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Headaches
Sleep disruptions
Mood swings
Depression or anxiety
Irritability
Cognitive lapses, or brain fog
Fatigue
Vaginal dryness
Joint or muscle pain
These are just some of the changes you may notice as you move through the menopause process. Fortunately, most women don’t experience the full range of symptoms.
What Can Be Done to Manage Menopause?
Your West Kendall OBGYN doctor devises a customized treatment plan to address your specific symptoms. The most common treatment approach is hormone replacement therapy. This approach supplements your natural hormone production to achieve a better hormonal balance.
Because a link exists between many of the symptoms of menopause and reduced estrogen levels, hormone replacement therapy can be an effective treatment path. There are some risks that come with this approach, so your doctor discusses your personal risk level before helping you make a treatment decision.
If your symptoms are mostly mood-related, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication may help regulate your emotional health. If vaginal dryness is your primary concern, there are a number of treatments that can help. MonaLisa TouchⓇ is one example; it uses laser energy to restore proper moisture levels and help you enjoy a healthy sex life.
If you’re frustrated by menopause symptoms and looking for relief, call West Kendall OBGYN or try the online scheduling tool to set up a visit today.