Stages of Menopause

Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause that usually starts during your 40s but can last anywhere from several months to several years. During this time, your ovaries will begin producing less estrogen, leading to your periods becoming irregular and heavier or lighter than normal. The healthcare providers at St. Hope Healthcare can help you narrow down your transition from perimenopause to menopause, reviewing your symptoms and occasionally ordering blood tests to determine certain hormone levels.

Menopause is when your ovaries have completely stopped releasing eggs and you have officially gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. The standard starting age for this period is 51, but the exact age will vary depending on the person. At this stage, your production of estrogen and progesterone decreases significantly, leading to predominant symptoms of menopause like:

• Hot Flashes: Sudden feeling of heat that spreads over your body, making you feel sweaty and flushed. These can also occur while you sleep, leading to night sweats that can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
• Mood Swings: The rapid decline in hormone production can affect your mood, resulting in irritability, anxiety and depression.
• Vaginal Dryness: The drop in your body’s estrogen levels can cause your vaginal tissue to become dry and thin, leading to discomfort during sex and an elevated risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.
• Bladder Issues: You may experience a more pressing urge to urinate more frequently during menopause.
• Weight Gain: Fluctuations in your hormone levels can also lead to muscle loss and subsequent weight gain, especially around the abdomen.
• Breast Tenderness: Pain or heightened sensitivity in one or both of your breasts. 
• Thinning Hair and Dry Skin: Reduced estrogen may reduce the strength of your skin and hair.

Menopause is not a permanent period in a woman’s life – it has a definitive end.

Postmenopause is the period following menopause that lasts for the rest of a woman’s life. While you may experience hot flashes and other symptoms occasionally, they will be significantly less frequent. However, the lingering reduced quantity in estrogen production can lead to an elevated risk of developing certain health issues, like osteoporosis and heart disease. As a result, women in this stage are recommended to schedule more frequent health screenings and gynecological exams to ensure they’re receiving active early prevention monitoring and treatment.

How to Manage Menopause

You can manage certain symptoms by living a healthier lifestyle. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins can protect your bone health, while drinking water can help manage hot flashes. Getting regular exercise can help you manage your weight and improve your mood. In contrast, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing heart disease, osteoporosis and other health issues.

Women in menopause should also prioritize minimizing their stress levels. Taking up yoga or other relaxation-oriented activities and getting great sleep regularly may improve their overall well-being.

Can You Treat Menopause?

There is no “cure” to menopause, but there are treatments that can ease the stress of symptoms and improve comfort and well-being. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a predominant option, as it involves taking estrogen to relieve symptoms – although there are substantial side effects. It’s important to discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages with your doctor before you decide if it’s right for you.

If HRT isn’t a compatible solution, there are other symptom-mitigation medications some women may utilize, like antidepressants and blood pressure medications to reduce the severity of hot flashes, or low-dose vaginal estrogen cream to relieve dryness. Many women rely solely on the lifestyle improvement strategies mentioned earlier to manage their symptoms and are able to successfully navigate menopause with non-invasive techniques.

Ultimately, it depends on the woman what will work best for her. It’s important to discuss your options with your healthcare provider to ensure your treatment plan is safe and effective.

When Should You See Your Doctor About Menopause?

If you’re experiencing unusual symptoms, such as bleeding during menopause, or if you’ve noticed signs of osteoporosis or heart disease – like a decrease in height and shortness of breath respectively – you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

At St. Hope Healthcare, we’ve been helping Houston residents navigate menopause and all its hurdles for over 24 years. Our physicians are eager to help and have the resources to design a personalized care plan so you can receive the dedicated care you deserve.