Menopause Specialist

What is menopause?

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when she hasn't had a period for 12 months or longer. It's a natural process that for most women takes place when they're in their 40s or 50s, with the average age of menopause in the United States being 51.

Menopause occurs because of changes in your body's hormone levels. Perimenopause is the stage before menopause when you might start experiencing symptoms of falling hormone levels. This is a good time to visit Miami Women's Health Associates for treatment to prevent long-term complications.

Missed and irregular periods are common signs that you may be in perimenopause, and your OB/GYN can run medical tests to determine if this is the case. For example, blood tests can detect high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and low estrogen levels that are typical of menopause.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Many women go through perimenopause and menopause with only mild symptoms that don't require any intervention. For other women, menopause can be a challenging time that severely affects their quality of life.

The classic symptoms of menopause begin during perimenopause and can continue for several years. They include:

• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Thinning hair
• Slower metabolism and weight gain
• Mood changes
• Trouble sleeping
• Sexual dysfunction
• Urinary incontinence

Falling hormone levels also increase your risk of developing conditions like heart disease, urinary incontinence, and osteoporosis. The loss of bone density experienced in osteoporosis can make you more likely to sustain fractures as well, especially in older age.

What treatments are available for menopause?

If your symptoms are severe enough to cause you problems, your OB/GYN at Miami Women's Health Associates can discuss the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT typically contains a low dose of estrogen to help reduce symptoms, although progestin (synthetic progesterone hormone) may benefit some women.

Other potential treatments for menopause symptoms include:

Vaginal estrogen

A topical cream or pill to reduce vaginal dryness and help with urinary incontinence.

SSRI medication

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a type of antidepressant that can also decrease hot flashes.

Medications for osteoporosis prevention

Limiting bone density deterioration helps prevent fractures. Calcium and vitamin D supplements can delay the progress of osteoporosis.

If you're experiencing signs of menopause at any stage, the Miami Women's Health Associates team can help. Call or book an appointment online today.