As you get older, your fertility starts to naturally decline. Most women in the United States reach menopause in their early 50s, although the age of onset might be different for you.
In perimenopause, the years leading up to full menopause, you undergo hormonal changes that can cause a range of symptoms. Once you’ve officially reached menopause (which means you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period) you no longer have periods, and your ovaries stop producing eggs.
At Longoria OBGYN of El Paso, Texas, our team, under the leadership of Dr. Leonardo Longoria, can help you handle the symptoms of menopause. With our care and support, you can manage this transitional time more smoothly and comfortably.
Here are some of the common symptoms of menopause.
As your levels of the female reproductive hormone estrogen decrease, you might notice changes in your menstrual periods. Your usually regular cycle becomes unpredictable, with skipped or irregular periods or heavier or lighter flow.
The hormonal changes of menopause can cause mood swings and emotional symptoms. You could be unusually irritable, atypically weepy or depressed.
Another symptom of menopause that can sneak up on you is fatigue. If your energy levels are noticeably lowered, it might not be due to aging alone. Treatments for menopausal symptoms may restore your energy and vitality.
Vaginal dryness and changes to your libido can occur during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help with vaginal dryness and revive your sex drive. You may also need to adjust your sexual self-image as you go through this transitional life stage to continue to fully enjoy your sexuality.
The classic symptom of menopause is hot flashes, and they can strike at all hours of the day and night. During a hot flash, you feel intensely warm, and sometimes sweaty, without any external cause like a hot day or a warm blanket.
Hot flashes can occur in the night, as well, and are often accompanied by sweating. Some women also report insomnia and sleeplessness as a symptom of menopause. Insomnia can occur alone or as a result of sleep interruptions from night sweats.
Many women notice metabolic changes that make weight gain happen more easily. We can help you adjust your diet and exercise habits to manage menopause-related increases in your weight.
As you enter menopause, you may experience unusual tenderness in your breast tissue. HRT typically helps reduce uncomfortable breast tenderness.
Hormonal changes often cause changes in hair and skin. Your skin may lose moisture and feel dry. You may notice more hair falling out in the shower and when you brush or style your hair. As a result, your hair may become thinner on the top and sides of your head and above your forehead.
Some women experience urinary incontinence as part of menopause. Dr. Longoria can address urinary problems with HRT, physical therapy recommendations, or oral medications, depending on your situation and needs.
For the support that you need to get through menopause, contact Dr. Longoria. You can get answers to all your menopause-related questions by scheduling an appointment. Book online or call our office to set up your visit.
