What is menopause?
Menopause is the period in a woman's life when she stops menstruating and isn't able to bear children anymore. The average age that women start menopause is 51, but it can happen earlier or later, as well. A woman isn't medically defined as being in menopause until she has missed 12 consecutive periods.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition into full menopause. During perimenopause, menstrual cycles become erratic and then taper off until they've ceased completely. Perimenopause often lasts for at least several years, although in some cases it can be as short as several months.
What are the signs of menopause?
Some of the most common signs of menopause are:
- Hot flashes
- Reduced libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Erratic moods/ irritability
- Depression
- Night sweats
Women may have only a few of these symptoms, or experience all of them at once. Menopause is different for every woman.
Can hot flashes occur before menopause?
Yes, hot flashes can occur before a woman enters menopause. Hot flashes are one of the first signs that a woman is entering perimenopause, and in some cases, women can have hot flashes even if they're not yet in perimenopause, due to hormone fluctuations.
How does Dr. Capalbo help women manage their menopause symptoms?
First-line treatments are typically lifestyle adjustments such as nutritional counseling and stress relief techniques, along with dietary supplements. If a woman’s symptoms are severe, and first-line treatments have been ineffective, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended. Most women get great relief from hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement returns a woman’s hormone levels back to premenopausal levels. There are several methods for administering hormone therapy, including oral supplements, adhesive patches, and insertion of vaginal creams and tablets. In addition to hormone replacement, some women benefit from antidepressant medications during menopause.
