Menopause
Experience compassionate, personalized care for menopause at Reid Health. Our specialists support you through every stage, all close to home.
Navigating menopause with a trusted partner
Menopause is a natural part of aging, by the experience can be very different for each woman. Although some women have few or no symptoms, others experience hot flashes, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, and brain fog as estrogen and progesterone levels decrease and the reproductive years come to an end. Having a trusted women’s health provider can help you before, during, and after menopause as you learn to manage all the changes this phase of life can bring.
The Women’s Health team at Reid Health are skilled in treating menopause symptoms to help you move through this transition with less discomfort.
What's menopause?
Menopause officially occurs 12 months after your last menstrual period. The years leading up to that point are called perimenopause- this is when most symptoms begin. During this time, levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate, which can trigger many physical and emotional changes.
Some health conditions and medical treatments might cause premature menopause in women younger than 40. Talk with your provider if you think you might be experiencing signs of menopause earlier than age 40.
The stages of menopause
- Perimenopause: This transition can begin approximately four to eight years before menstrual periods stop, usually in a woman’s 40s. Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irregular cycles, and sleep changes are common during this time.
- Menopause: Though we often call the entire process “menopause,” menopause refers to the single point in time 12 months after your last menstrual period. Menopause typically happens between ages 45 and 55.
- Postmenopause: After menopause, many symptoms begin to ease. However, lower estrogen levels can increase the risk for conditions such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Your Reid Health provider may recommend regular heart screenings, bone density tests, and lifestyle strategies to help protect your long-term health.
Symptoms and side effects of menopause
Menopause may look different for everyone. Some experience very mild symptoms. Others might have severe symptoms that impact everyday life.
Common symptoms of menopause typically begin during the perimenopausal phase and include:
- Anxiety, depression, and other mood changes
- Bladder leakage (incontinence)
- Difficulty focusing or a feeling of brain fog
- Increased heartbeat (palpitations)
- Irregular menstrual cycles or missed periods
- Heavy periods
- Hot flashes and night sweats, sometimes followed by
- cold chills or shivering
- Pain with sexual intercourse
- Redness, blotching, or flushing on the arms, back,
- chest, face, or neck
- Sleep issues, such as insomnia
- Vaginal dryness
Hot flashes and night sweats are common perimenopausal symptoms lasting 30 seconds to 10 minutes. About 75% of women experience them, with occurrences ranging from weekly to multiple daily episodes. Hot flashes and night sweats might involve:
- Feeling hot suddenly, especially in the upper body
- Heart palpitations or a racing heartbeat
- Increased sweating
- Redness or flushing in the face, neck, back, chest, and arms
- Shivering or a cold chill right after the hot feeling goes away
Managing symptoms
Perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms can be uncomfortable, but many people find relief in lifestyle changes, non-hormonal treatments or hormone therapy.
Your provider might recommend starting with lifestyle changes, such as:
- Avoiding or quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a healthy diet and staying at an ideal weight
- Limiting alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
- Practicing mindfulness (deep breathing, meditation)
- Using over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers
For relief during hot flashes and night sweats, try:
- Using a fan or keep a portable fan with you
- Dressing in layers you can remove one at a time
- Keeping your house cool, especially at night
- Placing a cold pack under your pillow
- Putting a cool washcloth on your face or neck
- Taking a few slow, deep breaths
- Using layers of light bedding you can remove when you overheat
Hormone Therapy (HT)
As estrogen and progesterone levels decline, hormone therapy (HT) can be an effective treatment for many menopausal symptoms.
Although it was once thought to have negative side effects, research has shown it can be a safe, effective option for some women. Treatments come in multiple forms, including pills, patches, gels, sprays, rings, or creams. The right type for you will depend on your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle.
Additional menopause treatments
In addition to lifestyle changes and HT, your provider can recommend other medications for symptom management. Certain antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors-SSRI and selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors-SNRI), can reduce hot flashes and mood symptoms. Non-hormonal prescription medications may also be used to help with hot flashes in some cases. Vaginal estrogen or non-hormonal medications can address vaginal dryness or discomfort.
Non-FDA-approved hormones (sometimes called “bioidentical hormones”), dietary supplements, or herbal supplements haven’t been proven effective or safe in large studies. They may interact with medications or HT and can have side effects. Always talk with your provider before trying supplements or alternative treatments.