Menopausal Solutions Specialist

Do you still need to see a gynecologist during and after menopause?

Women need gynecologic care during and after menopause just as much as in their earlier years. Routine pelvic and breast exams help to ensure that you’re healthy and find early changes that indicate age-related gynecologic conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, or cancer.

The loss of estrogen at menopause raises the risk of developing chronic health problems. The team at the Center for Women’s Health screens for conditions that often develop after menopause, including heart disease and osteoporosis.

What are perimenopause and menopause?

Perimenopause begins when hormones start to fluctuate and periods become irregular. It often starts when women are in their 40s and lasts about 3-5 years. Perimenopause ends when menopause begins, which happens when you haven’t had a menstrual period for 12 straight months. Once you reach menopause, levels of estrogen remain at a low level, so menstrual periods stop.

The process of menopause is gradual, and each woman's transition is different. The average age of menopause is 51; however, menopause can also occur as early as your 30s or as late as your 60s.

What symptoms occur during menopause?

The symptoms associated with menopause often begin during perimenopause and continue beyond menopause. Loss of estrogen causes classic symptoms such as:

• Irregular or heavy menstrual periods (during perimenopause)
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Difficulty sleeping
• Mood changes
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Forgetfulness (“brain fog”)
• Hair thinning
• Hair growth on face
• Weight gain
• Thinning skin
• Urinary urgency and leakage

Estrogen has other roles in your body, so women may also experience:

• Vaginal dryness
• Painful intercourse
• Low sex drive

What are the treatments for menopause?

Specific menopause treatments depend on each woman’s symptoms, medical history, and preferences. Some options include:

• HRT (hormone replacement therapy): HRT effectively treats the various symptoms associated with menopause
• Low-dose antidepressants: certain medications have been shown to decrease menopausal hot flashes
• Omega-3: research has shown that omega-3 can ease psychological distress and depressive symptoms
• Gabapentin (Neurontin): a medication effective in the treatment of hot flashes
• Clonidine (Catapres): a medication for the treatment of hot flashes that you take orally or as a patch on the skin
• Osteoporosis treatments
• Vaginal estrogen: used for vaginal dryness, to treat painful intercourse and some urinary problems; applied locally using a tablet, ring, or cream
• Exercise: exercise during menopause has many different benefits, such as preventing weight gain, strengthing bones, reducing the risk of cancer, and boosting general mood