Menopause Treatment

Menopause is when your menstrual periods stop permanently, and you can no longer get pregnant. Some people call the time leading up to a woman’s last period menopause. This time is the transition to menopause or perimenopause. After menopause, your body makes much less estrogen and progesterone hormones. Deficient estrogen levels after menopause can affect your health and cause symptoms such as hot flashes. You can take steps to protect your health and relieve your symptoms. 

What is perimenopause or the transition to menopause?

• Perimenopause (or the menopausal transition) is the long transition to when your periods stop permanently, and you can no longer get pregnant. As your body transitions to menopause, your hormone levels may change randomly and cause menopause symptoms unexpectedly.  During this transition, your ovaries make different amounts of estrogen and progesterone hormones than usual.

Irregular periods happen during this time because you may not ovulate every month. Your periods may be longer or shorter than usual. You might skip a few months or have unusually long or short menstrual cycles. Your period may be heavier or lighter than before. Many women also have hot flashes and other menopause symptoms during this transition.

Symptoms may happen most of the time once they begin or only occasionally. Some menopausal symptoms like moodiness are similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Others may be new to you. For example:

• Your menstrual periods may not come as regularly as before. They also might last longer or be shorter. You might skip some months. Periods might stop for a few months and then start up again.
• Your periods might be heavier or lighter than before.
• You might have hot flashes and problems sleeping.
• You might experience mood swings or be irritable.
• You might experience vaginal dryness. Sex may be uncomfortable or painful.
• You may have less interest in sex. It may take longer for you to get aroused.

Other possible changes are not as noticeable. You might begin to lose bone density because you have less estrogen. This can lead to osteoporosis, which causes bones to become weak and break easily.

PLEASE NOTE*  If you're having an Emergency, please call 911!