What is Menopause In Houston, TX?
Menopause officially begins when you have an absence of menstrual cycles for 12 consecutive months. When you reach menopause, you can no longer become pregnant.
When you're in your reproductive years, your body releases an egg each month. That occurs in your ovaries. When the fertile egg is released, your ovary also produces the hormones, estrogen, and progesterone.
As you near menopause and enter your perimenopausal years, the progesterone and estrogen production in your ovaries declines. Egg production stops, and menstruation occurs less frequently until it eventually stops entirely. This process can happen suddenly or gradually over many years.
Most women experience menopause between 40 and 50, but the average age is 51. Although menopause is a normal part of the aging process, it can also happen if both of your ovaries are removed.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Perimenopause and menopause symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some women may have no symptoms at all while others have severe symptoms that disrupt their daily lives.
Changes in your period's frequency and flow might be the first things you notice. Additional symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Forgetfulness
- Vaginal dryness
- Joint aches and pains
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Hot flashes, night sweats, or skin flushing
- Mood swings, depression, anxiety, and irritability
- Irregular, racing, or pounding heartbeat
- Urinary leakage (incontinence)
Sexual side effects are also common, including painful sexual intercourse, decreased libido, and less response to sexual stimulation.
Besides the uncomfortable symptoms, a decrease in estrogen can leave women vulnerable to other health conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease.
How do you relieve menopause symptoms?
To provide relief for your menopause symptoms and to reduce your risk of developing health problems associated with decreased estrogen, Dr. Jones might recommend the following:
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Medications to relieve specific symptoms
- Cholesterol and blood pressure management
- Exercises to improve your overall health
- Dietary modifications to restore your vitality
To determine if you're entering menopause, Dr. Jones might conduct blood tests to look at your hormone levels. She might also suggest thyroid tests, bone density tests, and a pelvic exam to look for changes in the vaginal lining.
If you're looking for solutions for your menopause symptoms, call Total Women's Care or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
