Menopause can bring on unpleasant symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and mood swings, but you don’t have to put up with them. Dr. Meredith Morgan, a Houston-based physician, provides high-quality care to women suffering from health conditions such as menopause. Call or book an appointment online today if you need assistance getting back to your best health.
Menopause Q & A
What exactly is menopause?
When you go 12 months without having a monthly period, you’ve officially entered menopause. You can no longer get pregnant once you reach menopause.
Your body releases an egg every month when you’re in your reproductive years. That takes place in your ovaries. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced by your ovary when the viable egg is released.
The production of progesterone and estrogen in your ovaries decreases as you approach menopause and enter your perimenopausal years. Menstruation becomes less frequent and eventually stops altogether as egg production ceases. This can happen all at once or over a long period of time.
Menopause strikes most women between the ages of 40 and 50, while the average age is 51. Menopause is a natural aspect of growing older, but it can also occur if both of your ovaries are removed.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of menopause?
Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause differ from one woman to the next. Some women may experience no symptoms at all, while others may experience significant symptoms that interfere with their everyday activities.
Changes in the frequency and flow of your period may be the first things you notice. Other signs and symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Forgetfulness
- Vaginal dryness
- Joint aches and pains
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Hot flashes, night sweats, or skin flushing
- Mood swings, depression, anxiety, and irritability
- Irregular, racing, or pounding heartbeat
- Urinary leakage (incontinence)
Painful sexual intercourse, diminished desire, and a reduced reaction to sexual stimulation are all frequent side effects.
A drop in estrogen might leave women prone to additional health concerns such as osteoporosis and heart disease, in addition to the unpleasant symptoms.
What methods do you take to alleviate menopause symptoms?
Dr. Morgan may suggest the following to alleviate your menopause symptoms and lower your risk of developing health problems linked to decreasing estrogen:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a type of hormone replacement therapy
- Medications that are used to treat specific ailments.
- Management of cholesterol and blood pressure
- Exercises to help you live a healthier life
- Dietary changes to reclaim your vitality
Dr. Morgan may utilize blood tests to check your hormone levels to see if you’re approaching menopause. Thyroid testing, bone density tests, and a pelvic exam to check for abnormalities in the vaginal lining may also be recommended.
To discover more about how Dr. Morgan can help you with your menopause symptoms, contact or book an appointment online.