Menopause

Menopause Q&A

In the United States, the average age for menopause is 51, but it can take months or even years for you to transition into menopause. At Womens Health Care, PC, Rehana Sajjad, MD, FACOG, and her team of OB/GYN and integrative medicine providers help women in Richmond Hill and Elmhurst, New York, get relief from the symptoms of menopause. They take a whole-person approach to helping you manage the physical and emotional changes of perimenopause — the time leading up to menopause. Call to schedule a consultation at the office nearest you, or request an appointment online.

What is menopause?

Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycles and child-bearing years. Once you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period, you’re considered to be in menopause. For many women, perimenopausal symptoms begin in their 40s and can negatively affect physical and emotional well-being.

During this time, you may experience changes in your mood, sleep patterns, sexual life, and physical body.

What causes menopause?

Menopause typically occurs due to the natural decline in hormones as you age. It can also develop due to a medical condition or as a result of a hysterectomy. A total hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and ovaries, triggers immediate menopause. Symptoms may be more severe after a total hysterectomy since they occur suddenly rather than gradually, as with natural menopause.

What are the signs and symptoms of menopause?

As your body goes through these natural biological changes, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Vaginal dryness
• Irregular periods
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair
• Dry skin
• Insomnia
• Loss of breast fullness
• Depression and anxiety
• Decreased libido
• Headaches
• Urinary tract infections

Perimenopause affects every woman differently, so the intensity and combination of symptoms vary. These changes result from fluctuating hormone levels as your body adjusts to reduced estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels.

After menopause, you may notice slower metabolism, urinary incontinence, and weaker bones due to reduced hormone levels.

How can I get relief from menopausal symptoms?

While menopause doesn’t require medical treatment itself, relief is available for disruptive symptoms. The OB/GYN team at Womens Health Care, PC, creates personalized treatment plans based on your individual symptoms and experiences. Treatments may include:

• Hormone replacement therapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Vaginal estrogen cream
• MonaLisa Touch® laser treatments
• Medications
• Dietary changes and supplements
• Exercise

The team takes an integrative, whole-person approach to help you manage symptoms, using a combination of natural remedies and medical treatments.

You don’t have to endure the physical and emotional changes of menopause alone. Call the Richmond Hill or Elmhurst office to make an appointment or schedule online anytime.