Menopause Q & A 

What is menopause?

In the simplest of terms, menopause marks the end of your reproductive years as your ovaries shut down and stop releasing eggs. If you’ve not had your period for 12 months in a row, you’ve officially passed through menopause.

This transition typically begins in your late 40s with a period known as perimenopause. During this time, your ovaries slow down considerably and your menstrual cycles may become erratic. Menopause is the final stage of the transition from your reproductive years into your post-reproductive years. The average age for this passage is 51.

While the concept of menopause seems simple enough, your ovaries are also responsible for producing estrogen and progesterone, hormones that control your health in considerable ways. When you pass through menopause, not only do your ovaries cease releasing eggs, they also stop producing these hormones, which can lead to dramatic changes in your health.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

No two women experience menopause alike. Still, there are some common side effects of menopause that vary in intensity, number, and duration. These typically include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness
• Incontinence
• Osteoporosis
• Mood swings
• Loss of libido

Because your hormones govern your health and wellness in significant ways, their decline can have a widespread effect on your overall health and wellness.

How do you treat menopause symptoms?

While there’s nothing you can do to stop menopause, you can get relief from the side effects by visiting the doctors at Monroe OBGYN.

If you’re suffering from moderate to severe symptoms, hormone replacement therapy is a solution that restores your hormonal balance. This treatment isn’t for everyone, but the best way to find out is to sit down with either Dr. Ahadi or Dr. Pakideh to discuss your health.

The doctors turn to physical therapy to help with your vaginal health in order to relieve problems with sexual discomfort, as well as incontinence.

They may also recommend some lifestyle changes, such as exercise, nutrition, and relaxation techniques, which go a long way toward restoring better balance and improving your overall physical and mental wellness.

If you’d like to lead a happy, healthy life after menopause, call Monroe OBGYN or request an appointment by filling out the online form.