What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural biological process that all women experience as they age. It refers to the point when a woman stops having her monthly period, marking the end of her reproductive years.
The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During this transition time, usually starting for women in their late 40s, the body begins making less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone causing menstrual cycles to become irregular before stopping completely.
Some key things to know about menopause:
- The average age for menopause is 51, but it can happen anywhere between the ages of 45-55.
- Common symptoms leading up to and during menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, mood changes, and urinary issues. These occur as a result of declining estrogen levels.
- While menopause marks the end of fertility, women still need to pay attention to their bodies. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk for certain health conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease. Staying healthy with a balanced diet, exercise, and regular check-ups is important.
- Women may choose to take hormone therapy to help manage difficult symptoms, especially in the first few years after menopause. Low-dose estrogen and progestin therapy can help treat hot flashes, vaginal dryness, bone loss, and urinary issues.
- All women experience menopause differently in regard to severity of symptoms. There are many over-the-counter and prescription options available to find relief during this transition.
If you're perimenopausal or newly postmenopausal and struggling with disruptive symptoms, consider scheduling a consultation with Hormone Harmony. Our caring physicians and nurse practitioners specialize in menopause management and hormone replacement therapies. We take a personalized approach, listening to your unique needs and goals, to help you feel your best during this season of life. Schedule an appointment today to start exploring your treatment options. We're here to support you every step of the way!