Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause marks the end of your reproductive years when you stop menstruating. While this transition can happen at any time, most women in the United States are in their 50s when they begin menopause.

Many women welcome the end of menstruation, cramps, and other uncomfortable period symptoms. However, some aren’t prepared for the hormonal shifts that come with menopause. When you begin menopause, your estrogen and progesterone levels plummet. These hormonal changes affect your mood, body temperature, behavior, and physical appearance.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

While menopause symptoms differ from one woman to the next, the most common ones include:

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

Addressing your hormone imbalance can reduce the symptoms of menopause and improve your quality of life.

What are the stages of menopause?

The three stages of menopause are:

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the first stage when your estrogen and progesterone hormone levels start to fall. Your periods will become more irregular while your fertility declines significantly. You might also begin to experience the early symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes.

Menopause

You’ve entered menopause when you haven’t had a period for at least 12 months. This is when you experience most menopause symptoms, like night sweats and mood swings.

Postmenopause

Postmenopause continues for the rest of your life. While many menopause symptoms will subside, protecting your health from osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease is crucial once you reach postmenopause.

How is menopause treated?

Menopause is a natural part of life, but hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can relieve many of your uncomfortable symptoms. HRT restores lost hormones, like estrogen. The most common forms of HRT are:

• Topical creams, gels, and solutions
• Vaginal rings
• Injections
• Implantable pellets
• Skin patches

Your Aurora OB/GYN provider works closely with you to determine the correct form of HRT for your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. After about six months, your doctor assesses your progress and, if necessary, adjusts your treatment plan.

Call Aurora OB/GYN today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about menopause and its treatments.