Menopause

Menopause is a natural stage in women’s reproductive health, but the symptoms that often accompany this transition can affect your quality of life. Our expert OB/GYN team at Howard Center provides personalized care for women going through menopause at the offices throughout Georgia. For compassionate care throughout menopause, call the nearest office or request an appointment online today.

What is menopause?

Menopause is the end of your menstrual cycles. You reach menopause when you haven’t had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. After menopause, you can no longer get pregnant.

Menopause occurs naturally as you get older, but it can happen sooner due to a pelvic injury, medical treatment like radiation, or surgery (e.g., hysterectomy) to remove your ovaries.

When does menopause usually happen?

Most women in the United States reach menopause by age 52. However, the transition to menopause, known as perimenopause, can start several years before your last period. Perimenopause usually begins in your mid-to-late 40s.

During perimenopause, your hormones change in preparation for menopause. Fluctuating hormone levels cause the symptoms many women experience in the months and years leading up to menopause.

How might menopause affect me?

The type, duration, and severity of the symptoms during perimenopause vary from person to person. In general, you should expect changes to your menstrual cycle, such as less frequent periods and a heavier or lighter flow than normal.

Other common menopause symptoms include:

• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Insomnia
• Night sweats
• Weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased libido
• Thinning hair

Some women also experience urinary issues, such as increased urination and urinary incontinence.

What treatments are available for menopause symptoms?

If menopause symptoms cause discomfort or otherwise negatively affect your well-being, our experienced providers at The Howard Center can help. They review your medical history and discuss your particular concerns, then create an individualized treatment plan to manage your menopause symptoms.

Various treatments are available to control menopause symptoms, including hormone replacement therapy. This approach involves taking artificial hormones to replace the declining levels of natural hormones in your body. At The Howard Center, we offer pellet hormone therapy, which consistently delivers hormones through a small pellet beneath your skin.

Other treatments include medications and procedures that target your specific symptoms, such as hot flashes or urinary incontinence. Lifestyle changes and home remedies like exercising and changing what you eat can also help.

When should I see a doctor for menopause?

You should see your provider at Howard Center at least once a year for an annual well-woman exam before, during, and after menopause. It’s important to continue these routine visits even after your periods completely stop because the years after menopause involve an increased risk of certain medical conditions, including osteoporosis and high blood pressure.

To learn how you can successfully navigate menopause, call Howard Center today or request an appointment online.