Menopause Management in Omaha, NE | Hormone Therapy & Support at AWH
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is the point when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, as long as there is no other medical cause. In the United States, menopause typically occurs around age 51, although every woman’s experience and timing are different.
Menopause happens as the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. During this stage, hormonal changes can affect much more than the menstrual cycle. They can also influence sleep patterns and quality, body temperature, weight, vaginal and urinary health, sexual function, mood, and bone health.
Menopause is a normal life transition, but its accompanying symptoms can sometimes interfere with your comfort and quality of life. Your gynecologist can help you understand which changes are related to menopause and discuss treatment options based on your unique symptoms and health history.
Symptoms of Menopause
During the menopausal period, a majority of women notice the following symptoms:
- Hot flashes – The intensity, length and frequency of hot flashes vary from person to person.
- Mood swings – Irritability and depression are common in premenopausal women.
- Change in cholesterol levels – The decline in estrogen levels may also lead to changes in your blood cholesterol levels.
- Vaginal problems – A decrease in estrogen may also cause vaginal tissues to lose lubrication, making intercourse painful at times.
How to Manage Menopause Symptoms
Here are a few tips to ease the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause:
Exercise more often – Exercising for at least 20 minutes, three days a week, eases hot flashes by reducing hormone levels.
Make lifestyle changes – Decreasing alcohol and caffeine intake can help with depression and mood swings.
Try vaginal estrogen cream – Certain creams can give you a slight dose of estrogen, eliminating pain and discomfort during intercourse.
Change your diet – Adding more fruits and vegetables into your diet while following a low-calorie, low-fat diet can lessen the symptoms of menopause.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional time leading up to menopause. It usually occurs during the 40s and can last 4-8 years. During this time, a woman’s body is undergoing natural changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. These fluctuations can cause hot flashes, mood swings, sleep problems, bone loss, and problems with concentration.
Women typically also experience menstrual irregularity, meaning the length of time and flow of their periods vary as they get closer to menopause. If your periods are more than 60 days apart, you are in the late stages of perimenopause.
The board-certified gynecologists at Associates in Womens Health have extensive experience providing care to women experiencing perimenopause symptoms. Call our OBGYN office at (402) 697-7200 to schedule your appointment today.
Menopause Treatment in Omaha, NE
The board-certified specialists at Associates in Womens Health provide care for women in perimenopausal and menopausal periods. Call (402) 697-7200 to make an appointment on the services we offer.