What You Should Know About the Symptoms of Menopause

To begin, let’s acknowledge that it may sound strange to use the word “symptom” when discussing menopause. 

A symptom most often refers to an indication of disease — although it can also refer to a sign of an undesirable situation — and menopause is certainly not a disease. It’s merely the natural process that occurs as you transition out of your reproductive years. 

The changes that develop during menopause, however, bring many women from Folsom, California, to the care of Timothy Phelan, MD, at Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom. Dr. Phelan offers comprehensive menopause care, helping you feel more like yourself during this transition. 

Why does menopause occur?

Menopause is the medical term that refers to the end of a woman’s menstruation cycles. This process develops once your ovaries no longer release eggs, and your uterus is no longer creating a tissue lining to support an embryo. Reduced hormone production (estrogen) is the trigger for most menopause changes. 

Technically, you aren’t in menopause until a full year has passed without a period, but the signs of menopause can begin earlier. Most women enter menopause around the age of 51-52, but it’s possible to notice changes in your 40s or 50s. 

Menopause often arrives at a point in life where you’re already facing numerous challenges. You might be supporting children as they near or enter adulthood, or caring for an aging parent, or both. Many women are still active in the workforce when menopause begins, or they’re busy with community obligations. 

On the other hand, menopause can serve as a reminder that you’re nearing a time when the demands of family, career, and community may lessen. Advancements in health and medicine have revolutionized what we think of as the “retirement years.” Many women thrive and find renewed excitement during and after menopause. 

What are some of the signs of menopause?

Understanding the signs of menopause can help you know when this transition is taking place. Some of the changes you may notice include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Brain fog
• Weight gain
• Dry skin
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Low sex drive
• Headaches
• Sleep disruption

Many women experience changes in their periods as menopause arrives. You might skip periods, or your bleeding could become heavier or lighter than normal. 

You don’t have to accept menopause changes as inevitable

Just because menopause is a natural process doesn’t mean you have to accept these changes as an inevitable part of growing older. Treatments can minimize the disruptions.

If you experience only a few changes, like increased headaches or dry skin, treatment focuses on addressing those specific concerns. For more pronounced symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help by supplementing your natural hormone production with synthetic hormones, primarily estrogen. 

Hormone replacement therapy is a highly customizable process, beginning with hormone testing. 

You work closely with Dr. Phelan to find the right balance, and he can make adjustments as you move through treatment. HRT can help you sleep easier and also enhance your sex life, an important part of overall health and wellness. 

Don’t wait to seek menopause support

There’s no need to wait until you’re miserable to reach out for support. At Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom, you have access to a caring, compassionate provider who is here to help you understand your choices when it comes to menopause care. 

You deserve to feel great during this stage of life. When you’re ready for change, book online or call the office at 916-984-7428 to schedule a one-on-one visit.