Menopause

West Coast Women's Specialists

Menopause is a natural part of the aging process, but the symptoms, this change of life causes, can be difficult to live with. West Coast Women's Specialists in Bradenton, Florida, offers comprehensive medical management for women going through menopause to alleviate symptoms and improve health. Call today or schedule an appointment online.

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Menopause Q & A

What is Menopause?

Medically, you are in menopause when you’ve gone 12 months without your period, marking the end of your fertility. Most women in the United States reach menopause in their 50s. However, you may start to experience the symptoms associated with menopause well before, referred to as perimenopause, sometime in your 40s.

You can’t stop menopause, but the team at West Coast Women's Specialists can provide treatment to reduce the physical and emotional symptoms that accompany this life change so you can go back to enjoying the things you love to do.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Menopause symptoms vary from woman to woman, both in severity and type. Your mother’s menopausal symptoms may provide some clues as to what you might expect.

Common symptoms you may experience include:

Irregularity in menstruation
Hot flashes or night sweats
Difficulty sleeping
Mood changes
Weight gain
Vaginal dryness

Fluctuations in your hormone levels, namely estrogen, cause these symptoms. Decreasing estrogen levels may also affect other elements of your health, including an increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.

What Can I Do to Relieve My Symptoms?

Treatment for menopausal symptoms depends on the severity and your personal health. As an advanced OB/GYN practice, the team at West Coast Women's Specialists offers a number of treatment options to relieve your symptoms and improve health.

Common treatment options include:

Hormone therapy
Estrogen suppositories
Antidepressants
Gabapentin, an anti-seizure medication that reduces hot flashes
Clonidine, a medication for blood pressure that treats hot flashes

Many women have concerns about using hormone therapy for the management of menopausal symptoms due to potential health risk. However, the team at West Coast Women's Specialists only recommend hormone treatment after a thorough review of your personal and family health history. The team also uses the lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time to minimize your risk.

Due to the additional health risks that accompany menopause, the team also talks to you about making healthy food choices and the importance of regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of heart disease. The team may also recommend supplements to improve bone health.

For advanced treatment options to improve the symptoms menopause causes, call the women’s health experts at West Coast Women's Specialists or call to schedule an appointment.

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Perimenopause Vs. Menopause

The transition from perimenopause to menopause is a major life change for women. It can be difficult to know what to expect during this time, especially since the symptoms and signs of perimenopause and menopause can be quite different. The doctors at West Coast Women's Specialists of Bradenton, FL work with women to help them in understanding the differences between perimenopause and menopause, including the symptoms and signs of each. Our team is here for you to help you get a proper diagnosis of your transition and talk about how you can manage your symptoms during this time.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, which generally occurs around age 50. The average woman will experience perimenopausal symptoms for four years before she reaches menopause. During perimenopause, estrogen levels start to decline and this can cause a variety of symptoms. Some common perimenopause symptoms include:

hot flashes
night sweats
mood swings
difficulty sleeping
vaginal dryness
fatigue

Each woman’s experience with perimenopause is unique and these symptoms can vary in severity from woman to woman. It is important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms as they may be able to help you manage them. There are many treatment options available for perimenopause symptoms, including lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, and medications.

How do I learn more about treatment of perimenopause and/or menopause?

Women in the area of Bradenton, FL who are entering into this difficult transition may have a lot of questions for their medical provider. If you are interested in learning more about the “change of life” and are seeking solutions for common symptoms that may be impacting your daily life, call the team at West Coast Women's Specialist to discuss your needs and work with an experienced doctor that can help!