Our Services / Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is the point in your life when you haven’t had a period for a year. For most women, it occurs around age 50, but this can vary on either side. Some women’s periods stop in their mid-40s, while others continue to have periods well into their 50s.

Perimenopause is the process of change that takes place prior to menopause. It might start in your late 30s or any time up to your early 50s. It could take from two to eight years to reach menopause.

As you age, your body ovulates less often, and your estrogen and progesterone hormone levels go up and down. This causes changes in your body and disrupts menstruation. In time, hormone levels drop so low that the menstrual cycle stops.

Certain medical treatments can sometimes cause your periods to stop earlier. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or having your ovaries removed can trigger early menopause.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

One of the symptoms all women experience during menopause is irregular menstruation. Your periods may also be lighter, heavier, longer, or shorter. Other common menopause symptoms include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Headaches
• Vaginal dryness
• Thinning hair
• Dry skin
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Irritability

Some women have a few mild symptoms and transition into menopause without any significant disruption. Others have severe symptoms that cause considerable difficulty in their daily lives.

What treatments can help with menopause?

You don’t need treatment for menopause unless you have troublesome symptoms. But if menopause is causing you distress or discomfort, you don’t have to suffer. There are many ways the Mesbah OB/GYN team can help.

A healthy lifestyle can reduce the problems you encounter in menopause, as well as lowering your risk of heart disease and other serious age-related conditions. Choose a heart-healthy diet that’s low in saturated fat and includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, and high-fiber grains and breads.

Ensure you maintain adequate vitamin D levels and calcium, because menopause can affect your bone density. Low-fat and non-fat dairy products are an excellent source of calcium. You should also exercise regularly to help you manage your weight, lift your mood, and keep your heart and bones strong.

Finally, keep your caffeine and alcohol intake low, quit smoking, and tackle chronic stress. If, despite these changes, your menopause symptoms are still problematic, your gynecologist might prescribe medication. Options include:

• Birth control pills (before menopause)
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Antidepressants
• Clonidine (blood pressure medicine)

Until you reach menopause, you could still get pregnant, so keep using birth control until you’ve gone a whole year without a period.

For expert help and advice before, during, and after menopause, call Mesbah OB/GYN today, or book an appointment online.