What defines menopause?
Menopause is diagnosed after you have gone 12 months or more without a menstrual period. While it can happen as early as your 40’s, the average age of onset is 51 in the United States.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
In the time leading up to menopause (known as perimenopause), you could experience any or all of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Mood changes
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Sleep problems
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Hot flashes
- Irregular periods
- Loss of breast fullness
- Vaginal dryness
If you experience moderate to severe hot flashes, systemic estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for the relief of troublesome menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes.
If you have other symptoms of menopause, estrogen may ease vaginal symptoms, such as dryness, itching, burning and discomfort with intercourse.
What hormone replacement therapy treatments are available for menopause?
Hormone treatments for menopause can help make the natural transition less disruptive and more comfortable. Hormone therapy can also prevent bone loss and reduce fractures in postmenopausal women.
Your Cornforth Gynecology and Medspa provider offers the following treatments:
- Personalized treatment options - Hormone replacement therapy as prescribed by a physician or your provider Dr. Cornforth.
- Bioidentical - Bioidentical hormone treatment is made up of plant-derived hormones that are similar to those produced by the body.
- Pharmaceutical - Pharmaceutical treatments include pills, patches, creams, and vaginal rings. If you experience only vaginal symptoms related to menopause, estrogen in a low-dose tablet, vaginal cream, or ring is usually a better choice than a skin patch or an oral pill.
You might also ask your doctor about the prescription medication ospemifene (Osphena), which may help with episodes of painful intercourse.
To determine if hormone therapy is a good treatment option for you, talk to your doctor about your health risks and individual symptoms. Be sure to keep the conversation going throughout your menopausal years.
Having a female physician or gynecologist, like Dr. Cornforth is preferred, as she has likely dealt with issues that you as a patient might be dealing with regarding general female concerns, including family planning, birth control decisions, childbearing, and menopause.
If you’re looking for a provider to help you manage menopause as well as provide other gynecological services, look no further than Cornforth Gynecology and Medspa. Call the office to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online today.