Menopause

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her reproductive cycles end. In adult human females who still have a uterus, and who are not pregnant or lactating, post-menopause is identified by a permanent   (at least one year’s) absence of monthly periods or menstruation. It is part of a biological process that for most women is first noticed in their mid-forties.
 
It is the time in a woman’s life when the function of the ovaries   ceases; She is considered to be infertile and no longer in need to take into consideration the possibility of pregnancy.
 
Treatments for menopause are customized for each patient. Treatments are directed toward alleviating uncomfortable or

distressing symptoms.

Peri menopause

The process of menopause does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual process. This so-called perimenopausal transition period is a different experience for each woman. In the perimenopause years, many women undergo noticeable and clinically observable physical changes resulting from hormonal fluctuations.
 
The most well-known effect of these is the “hot flash” or “hot flush”, a sudden temporary increase in body temperature. Other common effects encountered during the perimenopausal period include mood changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and memory problems.

Symptoms of Menopause

Following but not all are experienced by post-menopausal women:

Vascular Symptoms

• Hot Flashes
• Migraine
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
• Increased risk of Heart Attack & Stoke

Urinary and Genital Symptoms

• Itching
• Dryness
• Watery discharge
• Increased urinary frequency
• Inability to control urine (rare)
• Increased likelihood of vaginal and urinary infections

Skeletal Symptoms

• Back pain
• Joint and Muscle pain
• Osteoporosis (Decreased bone density with increased risk of fractures)

Skin and Soft Tissues

• Skin thinning and dryness
• Breast atrophy (shrinkage)

Psychological

• Depression and/or Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Memory Loss
• Mood Disturbances
• Sleep Disturbances

Sexual

• Painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness
• Decreased sex drive
• Difficulty reaching orgasm (Anorgasmia)