Menopause is a natural stage in every woman’s life. It’s marked by changing hormone levels and occurs at the close of your reproductive years.
Menopause is officially diagnosed when it’s been one full year since your last menstrual period, and once it begins, you can’t get pregnant anymore. Menopause symptoms last an average of 4-5 years after their final periods for most women, but they can last longer.
Hot flashes, mood swings, low sex drive, and many other symptoms often start appearing in perimenopause, the period of time before menopause. In fact, it’s not uncommon to have menopause symptoms for up to 11+ years total.
The good news is that help is available to ease symptoms and make life more enjoyable before, during, and after menopause. Stuart Shoengold, MD, and our team at the Center for Female and Male Sexual Medicine specialize in menopause and top treatment options like bioidentical hormone replacement.
Menopause is a natural biological process, and it’s not a disease that needs to be treated. However, many women find that negative symptoms related to menopause affect their happiness and quality of life.
Fluctuating hormone levels are typically behind perimenopause and menopause symptoms. As you get older, the hormones estrogen and progesterone naturally decrease, and this decline starts as early as age 40.
Some of the most common symptoms of menopause include:
These changes can impact your self esteem, your relationship with your partner, and your enjoyment of life, but they shouldn’t have to. Our team at Center for Female and Male Sexual Medicine is here to help you navigate this new stage.
There are several ways to reduce and improve menopausal symptoms with lifestyle changes. Dr. Shoengold and our team generally recommend regular physical activity and a healthy diet for women in perimenopause and menopause.
Exercise and eating right can keep symptoms to a minimum, but they can also help you maintain a healthy weight. Strive to eat an antioxidant-rich diet including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.
Establish healthy sleep habits and consider implementing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation to relieve stress naturally. If you smoke or use tobacco products, quitting can help reduce menopausal symptoms.
Menopause can increase your risk of other health complications like osteoporosis and heart disease as you get older. Maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle can minimize your risk of these diseases.
Some women find that their menopause symptoms are short-lived, or that lifestyle changes are enough to improve their quality of life. For others, symptoms are so severe that lifestyle changes simply don’t make enough of a difference.
In these cases, Dr. Shoengold and our team may recommend bioidentical hormone replacement for menopausal symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy helps balance hormone levels to minimize your symptoms, from hot flashes to vaginal dryness.
Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones your body normally produces. This type of hormone replacement therapy could be right for you if you’re bothered by severe symptoms of menopause.
We generally prescribe the lowest possible dose of hormones for the shortest amount of time to relieve symptoms and minimize your risk of side effects. Dr. Shoengold maintains regular appointments with you, and adjusts your treatment plan as necessary to keep you feeling your best.
Menopause can create new challenges in life, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Shoengold and our team to find a treatment plan that’s right for you. Call our office at 973-218-9400 or book online.
