What is Menopause?

The definition of menopause is the absence of periods for at least 12 months. The average American woman will experience menopause around 51 years of age, but this can vary from woman to woman. Some women will also go through early menopause and stop having periods before age 45.

It can be intimidating for women to experience these physical changes they cannot explain. Ensuring you are informed and prepared for the possible health disadvantages that may arise from declining female hormones can make the experience less overwhelming.

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What are the Signs and Symptoms?

The signs and symptoms of menopause include:

• Mood changes
• Fatigue
• Decreased motivation
• Dry skin
• Thinning hair
• Increased facial hair
• Joint pains
• Vaginal dryness
• Lack of or increased libido
• Cystitis and recurrent UTI
• Vaginal Laxity
• Vulval dermatitis
• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Irregular, infrequent, light, or heavy periods before ceasing

What are the Long-Term Effects?

Some of the long term-implications of menopause may be surprising. Studies show that:

• Bone density will decline by 5% in the first year and 1% every year after that
• Increased risk of strokes and heart attacks
• The vaginal lining will change and potentially negatively impact your sexual wellness
• Skin will become thinner and more prone to damage 

While these may seem overwhelming, it is beneficial to remember that working closely with a trusted doctor to incorporate preventative therapies into your care can significantly impact the future of your overall health and wellness. Things like healthy lifestyle choices, a nutritious and balanced diet, and the strategic use of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (HRT) are all great choices to start considering. 

How Can Dr. Emi Help You Manage Menopause?

Dr. Emi’s approach to treating and preventing the adverse effects of menopause is the use of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy. This treatment aims to utilize hormones identical to those naturally created in the body before menopause. Hence, the potential for side effects typically accompanying synthetic hormone replacement is avoided.