Menopause

You’re considered to be in menopause when you’ve gone 12 months without a period.  The average age of menopause is 51, but many women experience this transition between the ages of 45 and 55. I f you have a hysterectomy (with the removal of the ovaries) or cancer treatment, you may go through menopause sooner. Menopause doesn’t always cause disruptive symptoms, but if you have fluctuations in your hormone levels that interrupt your ability to work or affect your relationships and your overall sense of well-being, the physicians at Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology Group can help.

The hormone changes associated with menopause may cause a wide variety of uncomfortable symptoms.  Usually, these symptoms appear in the years prior to menopause, a time known as “perimenopause”.  The following are signs that your hormones are shifting:

• hot flashes and night sweats
• vaginal dryness
• mood swings
• loss of libido
• sleep disruptions
• depression or anxiety
• headaches
• fatigue
• brain fog

Menopause is a natural process but it doesn't have to be miserable. Treatment doesn’t aim to halt menopause but rather works to make you as comfortable as possible as you transition.  At Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, we offer both hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options. When needed, we specialize in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help restore hormonal balance and ease uncomfortable symptoms. 

Bioidentical hormones are crafted from plant products and match the makeup of your hormones exactly and are thus used effectively by your body.  Hormone treatment can be administered as a cream, oral pills, vaginal inserts, pellets inserted under the skin, or as injections. The method of delivery and the exact dosage depends on your symptoms and health history.

There are risks and benefits of taking hormone replacement therapy and our physicians can help determine if HRT is right for you. Not every woman opts for HRT and not every woman is a candidate for HRT. You may benefit from lifestyle changes or other prescription medications to help ease problems associated with menopause. We believe in educating you on the different health changes that occur with menopause, such as an increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and urinary issues.  The physicians at Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology Group will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for you to prevent health risks and symptoms associated with menopause.

If you're experiencing menopausal symptoms, schedule a consultation with us at Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology and The Center for Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology.