Menopause is a natural part of aging that occurs at the end of a woman's reproductive years when periods stop. The team at Commonwealth OB-GYN in Brookline Village, Brookline, Massachusetts can help educate and guide you through perimenopause and menopause. While some women have very few symptoms of menopause, others have symptoms that can cause distress and discomfort. If you are concerned about menopause, call to schedule an appointment today.
Perimenopause is the time before menopause, which usually begins in your 40s, when your body produces fewer hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. You start to experience menopause-related symptoms during perimenopause such as irregular periods because of these hormonal changes.
You officially enter menopause when you haven’t had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51.
Every woman experiences menopause differently. You may or may not have one or more of the following symptoms, which may vary widely in severity from your friends’ and family’s experiences:
After a comprehensive exam, to improve menopausal symptoms, your doctor might suggest the following lifestyle modifications:
Menopause symptoms are caused by changes in the body's levels of estrogen. Hormone therapy (HT, previously called hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is a possible solution, but has health risks, especially later in menopause. If you have severe hot flashes affecting your quality of life, it may be worth considering HT early in menopause. Other non-hormonal medications can also be considered to alleviate symptoms.
Talk to the team at Commonwealth OB-GYN about any symptoms related to perimenopause and menopause. Call the friendly office staff to schedule an appointment today.
