PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
What is menopause?
Menopause occurs when your period stops permanently. Once you have not had a menstrual period for 12 months, you are considered menopausal. The average age that menopause occurs is 47 but can happen as early as age 40. Women can start experiencing symptoms up to 10 years prior to the final menstrual period, during perimenopause. Other women do not experience symptoms at all.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
Common perimenopausal symptoms include brain fog, night sweats, hot flashes, mood changes, anxiety and depression, insomnia or difficulty sleeping, vaginal dryness/irritation, low libido, pain with sex, and fatigue. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, medication management could help you feel more comfortable.
Do I have to take medication for perimenopause?
No! Medications are used only when symptoms are bothersome. Many people do not require medication for menopausal symptoms. Others may choose to take medication depending on their symptoms. When prescribing hormones for menopausal hormone therapy, we always prefer to use bio-identical hormones.
What treatments are used for symptoms of perimenopause?
Everyone experiences perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms differently. The specific treatments used depends on your specific symptoms. Common medications used for menopausal symptom management include hormone replacement therapy with bio-identical estrogen and progesterone, SSRIs such as venlafaxine, and topical estrogen therapy for vaginal symptoms of menopause such as vaginal pain, burning, painful sex, frequent UTIs and other recurrent infections.
Is lab testing required for the diagnosis of perimenopause?
Lab testing is not required to diagnose perimenopause but is sometimes used to help rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to menopausal symptoms. Perimenopause is diagnosed based on the presence of symptoms such as hot flashes combined with menstrual irregularities or absence of menses.