Center for Gynecology & Women’s Health
When a woman feels her body begin to change at midlife, she wants to understand what’s happening and take the right steps
to remain as healthy as possible. Many women in their mid-40s and beyond have questions about change-of-life. Our staff is thoroughly experienced with counseling and caring for women experiencing menopause or perimenopause.
We can explain typical ages for onset and duration of menopause, and what to expect in terms of physical symptoms and changes,
as well as psychological effects. Our staff can outline for you the options in any possible care that might be needed, including the considerations involved
in hormone replacement therapy . We can also evaluate any abnormal postmenopausal symptoms, such as postmenopausal bleeding (including through such tests as hysteroscopy .)
We will discuss with you lifestyle adjustments that become even more important for a woman at this stage of life. We can also direct interested patients to alternative or complimentary-medicine approaches, including herbal care that can
be helpful.
Because women are living longer today, they are also spending a larger portion of their lives in the postmenopausal stage. This has important implications for health. Our center can help you understand risk factors, and provide you with necessary assessments, screening, and other care, so
that you are proactive in maintaining your health.
What about HRT?
Many women understandably have questions and concerns about hormone replacement therapy. We can review the advantages and
risks of this treatment with you. Individualizing care is very important in this area, and we will consider each woman’s
symptoms and needs before recommending any treatments.
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You can chose to see one of our physicians or one of our nurse practitioners. These knowledgeable clinicians can review the normal effects, and ways to address, this natural stage of life.
For additional information, see:
www.knowmenopause.com
www.womenshealth.gov
Our staff members are skilled at determining what, if any, hormonal-related changes or problems a woman may be experiencing. Our gentle, understanding, knowledgeable approach can assist you and help resolve or address such symptoms or conditions.
Perimenopausal syndrome
In their 40s and 50s, as women approach menopause, they may experience more significant physical or emotional changes related
to their menstrual cycle or to other hormonal shifts (including at times that may seem unrelated to the natural monthly rhythm).
This is because during this period of life, hormonal levels may fluctuate more widely, primarily due to the declining function
of the ovaries and decreasing amounts of estrogen produced by the body.
Perimenopause denotes the time around or approximately around menopause, in other words the months or years before and after
this change of life. Perimenopausal syndrome refers to the symptoms that many women experience during this period.
During this phase of normal hormonal transitional, some women experience mild or moderate, early or isolated symptoms of menopause.
These affects are present to at least some extent for almost all women, but some may experience them more profoundly. Women
during this period of life may also, or otherwise, experience PMS or PMS-like changes, exhibiting more marked changes related to the menstrual cycle or other hormonal fluctuations. In addition, women who have
previously experienced PMS, may experience it more severely during this time.
Perimenopausal syndrome may vary in duration anywhere from a few months to 10 years. This exacerbation of hormonal-related
symptoms during the period approaching and sometimes subsequent to menopause can be a significant factor for some women.
The approach to evaluating and caring for perimenopausal syndrome is similar to that for PMS, menopause, and other menstrual-related
conditions. Our staff can assist in identifying the pattern of response that a woman may be experiencing to hormonal changes
and offer care that can often mitigate accompanying symptoms.
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