Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and fertility. You're considered to be in menopause if you’ve gone a full 12 months without a period. Menopause can happen naturally, due to the aging process. It also may be surgically induced by the removal of the ovaries or chemically induced, such as with cancer treatment.

What is perimenopause?

In the years prior to menopause, called perimenopause, your hormone production starts to shift. As a result, you may experience a number of familiar symptoms that are related to menopause. These include:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Memory problems
• Depression
• Vaginal dryness
• Changes in libido
• Irregular periods
• Trouble with sleep
• Unexplained weight gain

You may feel moodier, feel your skin is drier, and be more fatigued, too.

The average age of menopause in the United States is 52, but perimenopause and these symptoms can start several months or years earlier.

What treatments are available for menopause?

Menopause is a natural process and isn’t “treated.” But if the symptoms are disrupting your life, you may seek help to reduce their severity. Lifestyle changes, such as an improved diet, physical exercise, and stress relief can help. You may also seek treatment with the Juliet® laser to resolve vaginal atrophy, dryness, mild incontinence, and pain during sex that are all related to menopause and hormonal changes. Dr. Krol may also recommend hormone therapy to help resolve symptoms, keep you feeling well during menopause and, if you have risk factors,  prevent conditions such as osteoporosis.

How does my health change during menopause?

As you cross over into menopause, your risk of certain health conditions increases. You may no longer have symptoms, such as hot flashes, but the drop in estrogen levels may put you at greater risk for:

• Osteoporosis
• Heart disease
• Urinary incontinence
• Poor muscle tone
• Decreased skin elasticity
• Increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Drs. Krol will recommend monitoring for heart disease and osteoporosis and can help you treat issues such as high blood pressure or thinning bones, should they arise. Hormone therapy can be especially helpful in keeping you protected from osteoporosis.

To learn more about the care you receive during menopause, set up a consultation using the online tool or call the office.