Menopause often brings uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes and fatigue. The Newton-Wellesley OB/GYN team of physicians knows how these troublesome symptoms can negatively impact a woman’s quality of life. They provide the highest standard of health care before, during, and after menopause with treatments centered on improving your quality of life and reducing your symptoms. Visit one of our two locations in Newton or Walpole, Massachusetts for medical support through this significant time of transition.
Menopause is when menstruation ends. A woman is considered to be going through menopause if she hasn’t had a menstrual period for over a year. For most women, menopause begins between 40 and 60, but it can begin earlier or later. While rare, some women go through premature menopause before the age of 40.
The average age for menopause in the United States is 52.
Menopause is the natural decline of reproductive hormone production in your body.
While it’s a natural part of aging, other factors can induce menopause, such as:
There are three stages of menopause – perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
Perimenopause is the time period leading up to menopause, beginning anywhere up to 8 years before when your ovaries slowly start to produce less estrogen.
For some women, perimenopause only lasts a few months, but typically, this phase lasts about 4 years. Perimenopause lasts up until your ovaries stop releasing eggs.
Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, usually starts in a woman’s mid-to-late 40s.
You can get pregnant during this time, and you can also start to experience menopausal symptoms to varying degrees.
Sometimes it can be hard for you and your doctor to tell whether you are in perimenopause or not, but you might be if you have
Symptoms – hot flashes or trouble sleeping
Irregular Periods – you may not ovulate every month, so you may start experiencing irregular periods. You may even skip a few months or have unusually long or short menstrual cycles. Your period may even be heavier or lighter than before. Track your periods and note any changes to your normal cycle.
Hormone levels – during the transition to menopause, your hormone levels go up and down in an unpredictable way. Your doctor may order a blood test to test the number of hormones in your blood.
Menopause symptoms include:
Menopause treatments focus on reducing or alleviating symptoms. Many treatments also help manage chronic conditions associated with menopause and aging, such as osteoporosis.
Newton-Wellesley OB/GYN physicians offer a full range of menopause treatments, including:
Your doctor may also encourage you to try healthy at-home treatments to relieve your symptoms, such as:
For individualized, comprehensive care through all stages of menopause, call Newton Wellesley OB/GYN in Newton at (617) 332-2345 or in Walpole at (508) 668-5555 to schedule an appointment. For your convenience, you may also request an appointment online.
