Menopause

Menopause is that stage in your life where your monthly menstrual period stops entirely, and you can no longer conceive. In most cases, an official menopause diagnosis occurs after you go 12 consecutive months with no period.

The average onset of menopause in the United States is right around age 52. But you may go through menopause earlier or later, depending on your genetics, pregnancy and health history, and lifestyle.

For years leading up to menopause, you may start noticing that you skip periods occasionally, or possibly that your periods are becoming abnormal, like overly heavy. This transition stage is known as perimenopause. Because of drops in estrogen levels, throughout perimenopause and into menopause, you may experience:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary incontinence
• Pain during intercourse
• Changes in your sleep patterns

Menopause is also known for making you feel foggy, where you have a hard time focusing and find that you’re becoming forgetful. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you can get personalized treatment solutions at Women’s Health Center of Clarksville.

Absolutely. Since menopause symptoms occur because of fluctuations in your hormone levels, your dedicated OB/GYN at Women’s Health Center of Clarksville may run labs to evaluate your hormones. In most cases, getting started on a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) plan can help stabilize your hormones and resolve symptoms. HRT can come in the form of:

• Vaginal suppositories or creams
• Skin patches
• Oral pills

Because the team at Women’s Health Center of Clarksville specialize in overall women’s health, they also spend time coaching you about lifestyle changes you can make to get relief from uncomfortable menopause symptoms. The compassionate OB/GYNs treat you as a whole person in an effort to improve your overall health.