Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural occurrence in every woman’s life, marked by the end of the ongoing menstrual cycle. You’ll know you’re officially in menopause when you haven’t had a menstrual period in 12 months. For most women, this happens during their 40s or 50s, and the average age for American women to hit menopause is 51. 

Leading up to menopause, your periods will likely become irregular. You might not bleed for several months at a time. Still, it’s possible to conceive during this time, so you shouldn’t stop using birth control prematurely if you’re sexually active and don’t want to get pregnant. 

As you approach menopause, estrogen hormones begin to drop, and this is responsible for the many symptoms associated with menopause.

How can I tell menopause is coming soon?

You might be familiar with some of the most common symptoms associated with menopause, but these symptoms actually occur during a period called perimenopause. Perimenopause happens for months or years before your menstrual cycle stops permanently. 

A few of the most common signs and symptoms of perimenopause, which signal impending menopause, are:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Thinning hair
• Weight gain
• Dry skin

For many women, these symptoms don’t disrupt everyday life and are nothing more than a minor but manageable inconvenience. For others, they severely impact their well-being and can cause numerous problems in social, professional, and personal life. 

If you feel like your perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms cause difficulty, call Yorktown Health for guidance and possible treatment. 

How can I treat the symptoms of menopause?

If you find that your symptoms are mild and manageable or that they go away on their own, treatment for menopause isn’t necessary. If your symptoms are particularly troublesome or unmanageable, the team at Yorktown Health works with you to find a solution that provides relief. 

Common treatments for menopause symptoms include:

• Hormone therapy
• Vaginal estrogen for vaginal dryness
• Juliet™ vaginal revitalization 
• Antidepressants for hot flashes and mood disorders.
• Medications to treat or prevent osteoporosis

Your provider works closely with you to figure out the best course of treatment in your case. They help you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option and select one or more that effectively provide relief. 

To learn more about menopause and the treatments for its symptoms, call Yorktown Health or schedule your consultation online today.