Menopause & Perimenopause Care
Menopause is the stage after reproduction and can last up to a third of a woman’s life or longer. The timing of when menopause begins, how long it lasts and which symptoms are experienced vary from woman to woman. It is often difficult for women, sometimes leading to confusion and isolation. Wellstar is dedicated to supporting you and helping you manage the physical and emotional changes you’ll experience during this stage of life.
Expert Care for Women
The Women’s Health team at Wellstar is here to help you manage the physical and emotional changes that come with perimenopause and menopause. We offer compassionate, safe and evidence-based tailored treatments and symptom management. Our women’s health team will perform a thorough history and assessment and develop a treatment plan customized to your specific needs. Potential therapies include lifestyle and dietary interventions as well as nonhormonal and hormonal treatments. Together, we will review your symptoms, discuss treatment options and create a customized care plan based on the latest scientific research to maximize your health and well-being.At Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta, our Perimenopause and Menopause Program is the only program of its kind in the area with Menopause Society Certified Practitioners (MSCP).
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the four to seven-year period prior to menopause when women are having menopausal symptoms, usually beginning in your 40s. These symptoms are due to fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone. While these hormonal changes are completely normal, they can cause symptoms that vary in intensity and duration.Menopause
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 and 55. Induced menopause—when the ovaries stop producing estrogen—can occur due to surgical removal of the ovaries, radiation or certain drug treatments.Learn more about Women’s Health at Wellstar.
Menopause & Perimenopause Symptoms
The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can make life difficult. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
- Depression and anxiety
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary incontinence
- Fatigue
- Weight gain or inability to lose weight
- Brain fog
- Irritability
- Skin and hair changes
- Decreased libido
- Painful sex
- Joint pain
Many of these symptoms can be related to a decrease in estrogen. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, schedule a visit with your OB/GYN, midwife or women’s health nurse practitioner.
Treatment for Menopause
Meet with your OB/GYN or Menopause Practitioner (or MSCP) to stay healthy and ease your symptoms during menopause. The Wellstar Women’s Health team will help you holistically manage your health and provide options to manage the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, including:
- Holistic assessments of your health
- Answers to your questions about menopause and healthy aging
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Bioidentical hormones, estrogen that comes from plant sources and are chemically the same as what women have in their bodies
- Non-hormonal medications
- Preventive approaches to osteoporosis, heart disease, breast health, stress and incontinence
- Screening and guidance to help you reduce the risk of these conditions related to the decrease in estrogen that accompanies menopause such as osteoporosis, heart disease, urinary and vaginal issues
- Referrals to other specialists for issues that often accompany menopause and are more likely to occur including bone loss, urinary incontinence, depression and pelvic floor disorders:
- Urogynecologists
- Pelvic floor physical therapists
- Endocrinology specialists
- Behavioral health specialists
Lifestyle Changes
While you can’t stop menopause, you can make lifestyle changes to help reduce the severity of the symptoms. Lifestyle choices that can benefit you include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Healthy diet
- Not smoking or vaping
- Adequate sleep
Weight control
A higher body mass index (BMI) has been shown to increase hot flashes. Decreasing your BMI may decrease hot flashes.Smoking & vaping
Abstaining from tobacco use is important because smoking accelerates menopause, bringing it on up to two years earlier. Smoking has also been found to make symptoms, like hot flashes, worse.
