Menopause Specialists in South Florida
Menopause is a natural biological process marking the end of a woman’s fertility. Though menopause generally begins between the ages of 45-55, the average age is 51.
Perimenopause: The Transition into Menopause
The transition period before menopause is referred to as perimenopause. Some women experience perimenopause for years. Others not at all. During perimenopause, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen, which is the primary female hormone responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle.
Perimenopause varies from person to person. Some women have symptoms which mimic menopause including hot flashes, mood swings, low libido, hair thinning, difficulty sleeping, and vaginal dryness while others are asymptomatic. Perimenopause officially ends when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, at which point she has officially reached menopause.
Menopause Symptoms
Every woman experiences menopause differently; for some it is an abrupt transition while others experience gradual changes.
The severity of symptoms will also vary. The one definitive symptom that all women experience is that eventually, your period will cease altogether.
Here are the most common symptoms of menopause:
- Irregular periods which gradually disappear
- Night sweats and hot flashes
- Sleep problems
- Mood swings
- Low libido
- Hair thinning
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful intercourse
- Other mental health issues triggered by hormonal changes
Diagnosing Menopause
The most effective way to diagnose menopause is to schedule an appointment with a menopause specialist or a gynecologist who specializes in the management of menopause.
The diagnosis is often based on your medical history, the date of your last period, your mother’s age at menopause and a conversation about your symptoms. At times, your gynecologist may order a blood test to measure your levels of estrogen or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Once you have been diagnosed as being in perimenopause or menopause, you and your physician can determine which treatment options are best to treat your symptoms.
Menopause Treatments
There is no official treatment for menopause. As experts in the treatment of menopause, our goal is to focus on your symptoms, minimize any discomfort and maximize your quality of life through medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or a combination thereof.
Medical treatments are specific to your symptoms and range from hormone replacement therapy to low-dose antidepressants, vaginal estrogen, non-hormonal medications, and a variety of other medical, and surgical treatments.
As menopause experts, we have also found the addition of non-hormonal, alternative lifestyle-based methods can also be effective including:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Avoiding hot flash triggers
- Scheduling regular exercise
- Reducing stress levels and eliminating stressors
- Increasing vitamin intake
For the most up-to-date recommendations, schedule an appointment online
We Are Your Advocates
Your symptoms are not “just menopause.” There are a wide variety of medical and lifestyle options to eliminate or mitigate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
At the Center for Gynecologic Oncology, we have seen firsthand how disruptive menopause can be. As board-certified gynecologist oncologists, we are dedicated to providing you with the most up-to-date medical and lifestyle treatments for menopause with the goal of offering you the best possible outcomes.
If you are experiencing symptoms of menopause or need help managing your menopausal symptoms, please call (954) 602-9723 and schedule an appointment today at any of our five office locations in Hollywood, Homestead, Margate, Miramar, and Plantation.
