Menopause Q & A

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What is menopause?

As part of the natural aging process for all women, menopause marks the last time your ovaries release eggs after a gradual decline in your estrogen levels.

More precisely, menopause is the point in your life when you haven’t had a period in a year, and your menstrual cycle has permanently ended.

Perimenopause is the transition into menopause. It usually lasts several years but can take up to a decade. Your menstrual cycle often becomes erratic as estrogen levels decline, though pregnancy is still possible.

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What are the symptoms of menopause?

Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause may include:

• Vaginal dryness

• Mood swings

• Irregular menstrual cycles

• Hot flashes, night sweats, and chills

• Slowing metabolic rate

• Sleep issues

• Dry skin

• Hair loss

• Urinary incontinence

• Decreased libido

• Weight gain

Menopause is also associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.

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What causes menopause?

The biggest factor in the onset of menopause is age.

Around your early 30s, your body starts to produce less estrogen and progesterone, the two hormones responsible for your menstrual cycle. During your 40s, your periods are likely to fluctuate in duration, intensity, and frequency. Eventually, your ovaries stop releasing eggs and your fertility ends. This typically happens when women are in their early 50s.

But several triggers can cause menopause to arrive earlier than expected. Having a bilateral oophorectomy -- surgically removing both ovaries -- triggers symptoms instantly. Chemotherapy and other significant radiation exposure can also cause early onset.

Lastly, about one percent of women suffer from premature menopause due to severe reproductive hormone deficiencies.

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How are menopause symptoms treated?

Since menopause is natural for all women, gynecologists treat its symptoms, not its occurrence. There are many ways to treat the symptoms:

• Hormone therapy or antidepressants (for hot flashes)

• Osteoporosis medication (for bone loss, often with vitamin D and calcium supplementation)

• Vaginal estrogen or laser therapy (for vaginal dryness)

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How does vaginal laser therapy help?

Vaginal laser therapy is clinically proven safe and effective for treating menopausal symptoms like vaginal dryness, irritation, and pain with intercourse. Many women are happy to choose a treatment option that does not involve hormone therapy.

Don’t let the symptoms of perimenopause or menopause stop you from aging gracefully and comfortably. Call to schedule an appointment now.