Irregular and Heavy Periods
Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience as they age. The term "menopause" can describe any of the changes a woman goes through either just before or after she stops menstruating, marking the end of her reproductive period. At the Southern Connecticut Women's Health Care Associates in Milford and Westport, Connecticut, menopause is treated seriously. We believe that with proper management, symptoms become manageable, and the quality of life for each woman that experiences menopause becomes improved.
Why Am I Experiencing Menopausal Symptoms?
A woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. The ovaries also make the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control menstruation and ovulation. Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops. Menopause is considered a normal part of aging when it happens after the age of 40. But some women can go through menopause early, either as a result of surgery, such as hysterectomy, or damage to the ovaries, such as from chemotherapy. Menopause that happens before 40, regardless of the cause, is called premature menopause.
What Are the Symptoms of Perimenopause?
One common symptom of perimenopause is erratic menstruation. As you get closer to menopause, ovulation becomes unpredictable and the duration of menstruation changes. Sometimes it is shorter and other times it seems to never completely stop. A woman may also begin to experience hot flashes or problems sleeping due to night sweats. The quality of sex may change, along with your sex drive. Menopausal women often complain that their vagina feels dry during sex which leads to burning or pain. This is because as your body changes, the hormones that cause vaginal secretions begin to shut down. Perimenopause also leads to bone density loss, and this begins a period where women should undergo bone density exams more often.
Why Am I Moody and Depressed?
Psychological changes occur during perimenopause and menopause. Hormones are powerful chemicals that enhance a lot of our moods. As menopause increases, the depletion of those hormones has an effect on our psychological health. With care, treatment and assistance from our OB-GYNs, you can control the effects of menopause.
What Kind of Treatment Is Available for Menopause?
The most common treatment for menopause is to begin hormone replacement therapy. This is simply taking additional hormones as prescribed by your doctor. Expect to have more frequent lab work as a means of monitoring hormone levels. Your doctor may ask you to change your diet and to exercise more frequently as well. Dr. Murray, Dr. Sivkin, and Dr. Schaeffer will provide consultation for each unique case of menopause.