POWERING THROUGH MENOPAUSE!
Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait to start your period? The thought of being a grown up, becoming a woman (for real) and enjoying “teenage stuff” like all those cheerful girls in the tampon commercials? Life is filled with milestones and let’s face it, in our 40s we learn to slow down a bit and enjoy not only the milestones, but the journey we experience in reaching them. We stop wishing our life away and simply enjoy the person we’ve become, hopefully loving the skin we’re in and the choices we’ve made to get there. Then, MENOPAUSE.
Menopause marks the end of that much-anticipated menstrual cycle. It becomes your official milestone once you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period. It’s different for all women but typically happens while in your 40s or 50s. The average age is 51 in the US.
Menopause is a natural biological process. But the physical symptoms such as hot flashes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt your sleep, lower your energy or affect emotional health. There are many effective treatments available, from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy to consider as you POWER THROUGH!
In the months or years leading up to menopause (perimenopause), you might experience these signs and symptoms:
Additionally, symptoms including changes in menstruation are different for every woman. Most however, do experience some irregularity in periods before they end. Don’t be alarmed if you skip one or more periods during perimenopause. It’s quite common and even expected. Often, menstrual periods will skip a month and return, or skip several months and then start monthly cycles again for a few months. Periods also tend to happen on shorter cycles, so they are closer together. (Fun…NOT.) Despite irregular periods, pregnancy is possible, so if you’ve skipped a period but aren’t sure you’ve started the menopausal transition, consider a pregnancy test.
If you are experiencing perimenopause, preventive health care is still very important. Because your body is changing, and hormone levels are shifting too, there will be other recommended health screening tests to consider such as:
Even if you have completely “powered through” menopause, always seek medical advice if you have bleeding from your vagina after menopause.
We’re here to help! Do you have signs and symptoms that may indicate menopause? There’s no need to suffer the symptoms. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Vyas or Dr. Leaphart. Together you’ll discuss lifestyle adjustments, topical remedies and even hormone therapy. Don’t wait – you’ll appreciate the advice you can only receive from a women’s health specialist. 702.852.3112.
