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Menopause |
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Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs in every woman's life. The process usually begins in your 30s or 40s and lasts into your 50s and sometimes 60s. Once you haven't had a period for 12 consecutive months, you've reached menopause. Perimenopause Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause. Symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings, decreased fertility, changes in sexual function, and loss of bone mass. Estrogen levels fluctuate significantly during this time, which results in varying menstrual cycle lengths. However, you should talk to your provider if you are experiencing: · Changes in your monthly cycle schedule · Heavy bleeding with clots · Bleed more often than every three weeks · Bleed after intercourse or between periods
Menopause Menopause occurs when a woman has not had a period for one year and it signifies the end of a woman’s reproductive years. At this point, the ovaries stop making enough estrogen to thicken the lining of the uterus, which ends monthly menstrual periods. It is this lower amount of estrogen in the body that will cause the bodily changes associated with menopause. These changes include: · Hot flashes · Disrupted sleep patterns · Vaginal dryness · Urinary tract irritation · Decreased bone density · Sudden mood swings If you are suffering from the symptoms of menopause, you may want to ask your provider about remedies such as hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy replaces the hormones that are no longer being produced by the ovaries helping to combat the effects of menopause. During the process of perimenopause and even after menopause, it is important for you to continue to receive regular preventative care. Our providers at Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology are here to help you through this life transition. We want to help you manage menopausal symptoms and stay healthy during this important phase of your life. It may be helpful to create a list of questions to ask your provider at your next appointment, so you can learn about living with menopause and how you can relieve symptoms associated with menopause.
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