Menopause Clinic
Comprehensive menopause care and hormone management
What is Menopause?
Menopause is the time when a woman's monthly periods stop. At this time, her ovaries stop releasing eggs and also stop making the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, with an average age of 51.
How Can I Know if I'm Going Through Menopause?
Most women start thinking about menopause when their periods start to change. If you're going through menopause, you might:
In case if your uterus has been removed but you still have your ovaries, it might be hard to tell when you are going through menopause. Still, women who don't have a uterus can experience menopause symptoms. If your ovaries were removed before the usual age of menopause, you had what doctors call "surgical menopause." That means you went through menopause earlier because your ovaries were removed.
Symptoms of Menopause
Some women go through menopause without any symptoms. But most have one or more of the following symptoms:
Hot Flashes
These are like a wave of heat that starts in your chest and face and moves all over your body. Hot flashes often start before you stop having periods.
Night Sweats
When hot flashes occur during sleep, they're called "night sweats." They can make it hard to get a good night's sleep.
Sleep Problems
Women going through menopause often have trouble falling or staying asleep. It can also happen even if night sweats aren't a problem.
Vaginal Dryness
Vagina and surrounding tissues become dry and thin due to Menopause. This can cause discomfort or make sexual intercourse painful.
Depression
Many women experience symptoms of depression or anxiety during the menopause transition. This is especially for those women who have had depression before. Depression symptoms include: sadness, losing interest in things, sleeping for long hours or too short time.
Concentration Issues
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things. It may be due to lack of sleep or due to low estrogen levels. Some experts believe estrogen helps the brain function properly.
When Should I Consult a Doctor?
In case if your periods start changing and if you're above 45 years, you don't need to consult a doctor. But you may need to consult doctor if the symptoms really bother you. For example, see a doctor if you can't sleep because of night sweats, or if hot flashes make it hard to work. Also, see a doctor if you feel sad or don't enjoy things anymore.
You should also see a doctor if you:
Is There a Test for Menopause?
There is a test that can help identify menopause. But doctors generally advise for women who are too young to be going through menopause or who have special reasons for needing it.
Can I Still Get Pregnant?
As long as you're having periods cycle, and even if they don't happen often, there are chances of getting pregnant. In case if you have sex and not willing to get pregnant, you can use any birth control precautions. In case if you haven't had a period throughout the year, it's probably safe to say you've gone through menopause and can't get pregnant anymore.
How Are Menopause Symptoms Treated?
Treatments include:
Hormones (Estrogen)
Estrogen is the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms. Women who don't have a uterus can take estrogen alone. Women having a uterus need to take estrogen along with progesterone. Experts think of these hormones to be effective and safe for many women in their 40s and 50s with menopause symptoms. If you want to take hormones, consult your doctor or nurse to see if it's an option. It is not safe to take hormones if you have had breast cancer, a heart attack, a stroke, or a blood clot. Women suffering with vaginal dryness without other menopause symptoms can try "vaginal estrogen," which is any form of estrogen applied directly to the vagina. It comes in creams, tablets, or a flexible ring. Vaginal estrogen uses small doses that don't significantly increase estrogen levels in the rest of the body.
Estrogen-like Medications
It is a medicine similar to estrogen but isn't exactly the same. It's taken once a day as a pill. It helps with vaginal dryness but can also cause hot flashes. Suggested for women who are not comfortable using vaginal estrogen or don't prefer to use a vaginal medicine.
Antidepressants
Some types of antidepressants can help with hot flashes and depression. Even women who aren't depressed can take them to ease hot flashes.
Anti-Seizure Medicine
One medicine used for seizures can also help with hot flashes, even if the person doesn't have seizures.
Self-Care Tips to Manage Menopause
Can I do anything on my own to reduce menopause symptoms? Yes. There are some steps one can try. But consult your doctor before trying any "natural remedies." Some of the natural remedies might not be safe, especially for women with a history of breast cancer.
Implementing healthy lifestyle changes can help manage menopausal symptoms naturally. These may include regular exercise, stress management techniques, maintaining a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding triggers such as spicy foods and hot beverages. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or supplement regimen.
How Can I Keep My Bones Healthy?
Here's what you can do:
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