CatchItEarlyCare

From sleepless nights to hot flashes and brain fog to vaginal symptoms, many women feel isolated or embarrassed about discussing what they go through during menopause. At Wellstar, our compassionate women’s health team provides individualized care to help women navigate this stage of life, demystify menopause and give women back their confidence during this stage of life. 

Menopause means no more periods. Period.

Menopause is defined as the permanent absence of a period for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause in the U.S is 52, but generally, women will experience menopause between ages 45 to 55. 

Perimenopause is the four- to seven-year period prior to menopause when women are having menopausal symptoms.  

“During perimenopause, cycle lengths will vary. Many women experience their periods coming closer together. Hot flashes and night sweats are also common during this transition,” said Wellstar Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Karin Hulon.  

Women may also experience brain fog, mood swings, fatigue, trouble sleeping, skin and hair changes, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, painful sex, joint pain or inability to lose weight. Every woman is unique and may not experience the same severity of symptoms. The menopause experience may be influenced by genetics, race or environmental factors. 

Many symptoms can be explained by a decrease in estrogen. 

The ovaries are the main producers of estrogen. As women age, ovarian follicular function decreases, leading to decreasing levels of estrogen. These levels can also radically decrease due to surgery, infection, medications or radiation.  

“Estrogen receptors are found all over our bodies. A decrease in estrogen can affect the part of the brain involved in thermoregulation, resulting in hot flashes and night sweats,” said Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health Dr. Paula Greaves. “Research suggests that women who have hot flashes may be at higher risk for developing heart disease. Additionally, research shows that African American women experience more intense and more frequent hot flashes for a longer duration.” 

Estrogen receptors are located in the vagina, vulva, bladder and urethra, helping to maintain blood flow, tissue turgor and microbial balance. Therefore, a decrease in estrogen can lead to vaginal dryness and atrophy, making intercourse painful. The pH of the vagina also changes with decreased estrogen, increasing the risk of infections or urinary leakage.  

These are only some examples of how menopause can impact women’s health and quality of life, and it’s important to treat menopausal symptoms as soon as possible.

Hormonal and non-hormonal treatments are available and can be beneficial—regardless of symptoms. 

Your care team will discuss your concerns and health history to tailor a safe, personalized plan that fits your needs. The choice should be guided by symptoms, medical history, contraindications and shared decision making. There are FDA-approved hormonal as well as non-hormonal options for treatment of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and even decreased libido.  

“We must promote lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, weight loss and cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help decrease symptoms,” said Dr. Greaves. 

Even if you no longer have periods, you should still see your OB/GYN.  

“Women: You need your mammograms and your health and cancer screenings, including Pap smears until age 65. Women who have had abnormal Pap smears in the past may need to continue Pap smears beyond age 65,” Hulon said. “Even if you’ve had a hysterectomy and you no longer have a uterus, you still need to ensure pelvic floor health.”

If you experience vaginal bleeding after menopause, schedule an appointment with your women’s health care team.

“The cause of bleeding could be something as simple as vaginal tearing due to dryness or as serious as endometrial cancer,” Hulon said.

Whatever your health concerns may be, Wellstar will partner with you to help you stay healthy. Other diseases can masquerade as menopause, so if something is worrying you or stopping you from feeling your best, mention it to your clinician.

“For example, if you start having joint pain, that may not be menopause. That may be arthritis. Fatigue, weight gain or night sweats may be a sign of thyroid disease, not menopause,” Dr. Greaves said. “Trust and open communication have been instrumental in aiding gynecologists to uncover other diseases affecting our patients who assumed they were menopausal.” 

Wellstar OB/GYN clinicians specialize in addressing the health needs of women and are experienced in caring for people going through menopause.

“It is important when you’re looking for a clinician to find someone who specializes in women’s health and who has a passion for treating women entering the menopause transition,” Hulon said. “Find someone who will listen to you, not dismiss you, will make you feel comfortable and treat you as an individual.” 

While troubling symptoms of menopause may be common, you don’t have to go through it alone. 

“With increasing life expectancy, women will spend more than 40% of their life in this life stage. Therefore, we need to focus our efforts in providing a smooth transition for every woman into menopause so she can enjoy her best years yet,” Dr. Greaves stated.  

Wellstar Women’s Health offers compassionate care through menopause, answering your questions and helping to manage your symptoms. Many of our clinicians are certified menopause practitioners. Find a Wellstar OB/GYN location near you.  

When it comes to diagnosing breast cancer, time is of the essence.  

That’s why Wellstar uses state-of-the-art imaging technology to help identify cancer sooner, so we can treat it faster. Getting a screening mammogram can save your life, so don’t delay. 

“The earlier we detect a breast cancer, the better we are able to treat it,” said Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health Dr. Paula Greaves.

With several imaging centers offering mammography, it's easy to find one that's convenient to you.

Who should get screened?

If you do not have any risk factors that increase your chance of developing breast cancer, you should start annual screening mammograms at age 40. 

If you’re at higher risk for breast cancer, your provider may recommend you start screenings earlier and can help you create a personalized plan.

“Being female at birth gives you a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer, but there are other components that can increase that risk,” Dr. Greaves said.

You may be at higher risk of developing breast cancer if:

• You have a family history of breast cancer. If any of your relatives have had breast cancer, talk to your provider about starting screenings earlier. Find out how old your relatives were when they were diagnosed with breast cancer and begin screenings when you are seven to 10 years younger than their age of diagnosis. 
• You have had previous radiotherapy treatment in the chest area. Previous radiotherapy for other cancers or lymphomas can also raise the potential for breast cancer development.
• You have had breast cancer before. A previous breast cancer diagnosis often means a patient is more likely to develop breast cancer again.

Call (678) 581-5900 to schedule your mammogram. You can also ask your Wellstar care team to put your mammogram order in MyChart and you'll be able to schedule the test online. Find a mammography location near you.

What should I expect when I get a mammogram?

A mammogram uses low dose X-rays to examine the breast for abnormalities and signs of cancer. Wellstar offers 3D mammograms, which provide a series of detailed images of the breast, allowing healthcare teams to better evaluate breast tissue layer by layer. In these images, fine details are more visible as compared to 2D mammograms and are no longer hidden by overlapping tissue.

The mammography unit is a rectangular box that houses the X-ray tubes and special accessories so that only the breasts are exposed to radiation. Attached to the unit is a device that holds and compresses the breast and positions it so images can be taken from several angles. 

The technologist is with you throughout the procedure and will ensure that the necessary images have been taken before completing the exam.

Once you have completed a mammogram, you may resume your normal, everyday activities.

If your screening mammogram results are normal, your next mammogram will be the following year, unless your care team recommends more frequent screenings due to family history or other risk factors. If you notice any changes such as a lump, sore spot or a difference in the appearance of the skin, contact your clinician.

What if I receive abnormal screening mammogram results?

When a mammogram result is flagged for follow-up care, it can be scary and intimidating for patients and their loved ones—but at Wellstar, you won’t have to navigate your health journey alone.  

As you search for answers about your breast health, the Wellstar Comprehensive Breast Health Program and its complimentary concierge services will make your experience more seamless with a tailored care plan, advocacy for your physical and emotional well-being, dedicated team members for scheduling appointments and education about your care options. Our team of experts will stay by your side through the entire diagnostic process, offering personalized counsel at every step.

For more information on our Comprehensive Breast Health Program, call (470) 610-1910 or email [email protected]. Learn more about our personalized breast care at wellstar.org/breasthealth.

What are some symptoms of breast cancer?

In addition to yearly mammograms, your doctor may recommend you conduct monthly breast self-exams to look for any changes. Signs of breast cancer can include:

• Lump development in the breast or underarm
• Breast swelling or development of thickness
• Redness and/or skin flaking around the breast
• Discharge other than breast milk from the nipple
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
• Pain in any area of the breast

If you notice any of these symptoms, reach out to your doctor and schedule an appointment to evaluate your breast health.

Your Wellstar care team will support you at every step of your breast health journey, from screening mammograms to follow-up care.

Learn more about breast cancer screening at Wellstar.