The transition to menopause is unavoidable. For some women, the natural process that signals the end of their reproductive years and monthly periods is a breeze. Others, however, battle an onslaught of bothersome — even debilitating — symptoms.
Board-certified OB-GYN Alan B. Patterson, MD, understands the impact menopause can have on physical, mental, and emotional wellness. He provides individualized treatment plans to help each patient at his Coral Springs, Florida, practice find lasting symptom relief.
Fluctuations in hormone levels cause menopause symptoms. As women near the end of their periods, their bodies decrease estrogen production and other reproductive hormones.
These hormones control many biological functions, and an imbalance can cause symptoms, including some you may not expect.
These symptoms include:
Menopausal women can experience increasing forgetfulness, brain fog, and even memory lapses.
Menopause can cause the hair on your head to thin and fall out, and body hair may grow more slowly or become noticeably thin.
Significant mood swings can occur unpredictably. These symptoms are common in women experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) mood issues during their periods.
The decrease in estrogen can shrink vaginal tissues and lead to persistent vaginal dryness, itching, and irritation. Often, women also experience a loss of their natural lubrication, causing sex to become painful. Also the urethra and lower third of the bladder are estrogen dependent, so a lack of estrogen can cause painful and increased urination.
Estrogen, along with a decrease in testosterone levels loss can lower libido, negatively impacting relationships and self-confidence.
Hot flashes, a sudden heat that floods the body, can appear without warning. They can lead to feeling uncomfortable, dizzy, or anxious.
Insomnia is a common symptom of menopause, making it difficult to fall or stay asleep. The result is irritability, fatigue, and other health problems. Many women can have severe hot flashes at night causing insomnia.
Many women sweat so much while sleeping that they soak through their pajamas and bedsheets. Night sweats can lead to insomnia and related complications.
There’s no one solution to address every symptom. Dr. Patterson focuses on each patient’s unique case and medical history to create customized treatment plans. They may include one or more of the following:
For moderate symptoms, lifestyle changes can help, including:
Other strategies include dressing in layers, keeping your surroundings cool, drinking cool beverages, and avoiding alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine.
If vaginal lubrication is the primary issue, vaginal estrogen is often recommended. This localized hormone therapy, available via a tablet, ring, or cream, vaginal suppository or pill releases small amounts of estrogen to the mainly vaginal tissue. A very small amount goes into the circulation, but usually this is only around 5% of the medication used in the vagina.
The active ingredient in the Intrarosa® suppository is prasterone, also known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which helps ease pain during sex.
Studies show that such herbal supplements as black cohosh, phytoestrogens, and GeniVida can in some women, help moderate menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, anxiety, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, and irritability.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) provides your system with hormones almost identical to those your body makes. Unlike localized vaginal estrogen, systemic BHRT circulates through your entire system to help alleviate hot flashes and night sweats. And there are vaginal bioidentical hormones inserted into the vagina.
If you need help navigating menopause or perimenopause, book a consultation with Dr. Patterson today. Dr Patterson has the experience and expertise to recommend specific therapy for your specific unique menopausal problems, which may be different than your mother, or friend, or best friend twice removed. Call the office at 954-204-3650 or request an appointment online.
