Menopause Specialist

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life that occurs when the menstrual cycle stops. The medical community defines menopause as the absence of menstrual periods for at least 12 months. However, before a woman officially reaches menopause, she will spend time going through perimenopause, which may cause uncomfortable or inconvenient symptoms.

What causes menopause?

During the reproductive years, the body produces hormones that stimulate the ovaries to release eggs and the uterus to thicken its lining. If a released egg becomes fertilized, pregnancy may result. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the uterine lining sheds during menstruation. Menopause occurs when the body stops producing enough of these hormones to stimulate ovulation and the menstrual cycle.

What are the symptoms of perimenopause?

During perimenopause -- the period at the onset of menopause marked by various physical signs --  women may experience:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Irregular periods
• Mood disturbances
• Trouble sleeping
• Vaginal dryness
• Dry skin
• Thinning hair
• Weight gain

Some of these symptoms may continue even after menstrual periods have stopped completely.

When does menopause occur?

The average age of menopause in the United States is 51. However, some women may experience menopause earlier or later in life.

What treatments are available for patients with symptoms?

Patients who experience significant symptoms because of perimenopause or menopause may benefit from hormone replacement therapy, vaginal estrogen, antidepressants, and medications to prevent osteoporosis. Each of these treatments has advantages and disadvantages. Dr. Thomas or Dr. Eericca will explain all of these options in detail so that women can make the choice that’s right for them.

What are the risks of hormone replacement therapy?

Systemic hormone replacement therapy can alleviate many of the worst symptoms of menopause, but it also poses certain health risks. Studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of:

• Breast cancer
• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Heart disease

Is early menopause dangerous?

When a woman goes through menopause before the age of 40, it’s known as “premature menopause.” Premature menopause can occur because of surgical procedures to remove reproductive organs, or it may occur on its own. Premature menopause is often unavoidable, but it can increase the risk of certain health problems, including:

• Osteoporosis
• Cataract formation
• Some types of cancer

For this reason, women who go through premature menopause may need to consider hormone therapy and/or medications to prevent bone loss.