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Menopause Management Specialist

Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group

OB/GYN located in Long Beach, CA

Managing the ups and downs as you head into menopause can be difficult and confusing. In perimenopause, the changes you undergo can be downright frightening. Know that you aren’t alone. Dr. Essam Taymour of Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group in Long Beach, California, is experienced in this time of transition, offering knowledge and guidance throughout the years leading up to postmenopause. Call the office today to discuss your health needs during perimenopause and beyond.

Menopause Management Q & A

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural process, defined as the time your menstrual cycles permanently ends. A menopause diagnosis is made after you haven’t had a cycle for 12 consecutive months. The average age for menopause in the United States is 51, but women can go through the transition at any time in their life.

Perimenopause occurs in the years leading up to menopause when a number of symptoms may occur and affect your physical, mental, and emotional health. Hormone levels fluctuate wildly, causing emotional turmoil and heavy or absent periods. Perimenopause can last from 1-10 years prior to menopause and can make it difficult for a woman to cope with the changes occurring in her body.

What are the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause?

Symptoms of perimenopause occur in the years leading up to the cessation of your periods. These symptoms occur due to fluctuating hormone levels, including estrogen and progesterone. Perimenopausal symptoms can last for a few months or several years before periods stop completely. Common symptoms include:

  • Irregular periods
  • Hot flashes or chills
  • Night sweats
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Weight gain
  • Dry skin
  • Thinning hair
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Decreased sex drive

Every woman experiences perimenopause differently. The first indication a woman is entering the perimenopausal phase is missed periods unrelated to pregnancy. Emotional factors accompanying perimenopausal and menopausal women may also be present, including:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Mood swings

These symptoms may continue after a woman reaches the postmenopausal stage, or they may disappear as hormone levels in the body even out.

Are there complications associated with menopause?

After menopause, some women are at higher risk for additional medical issues due to the decline in hormones, including:

  • Heart and cardiovascular disease
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Osteoporosis

Proactive health care can reduce the risks of developing these conditions. Incorporating regular exercise, a healthy diet, and routine medical examinations are important for self-care in the years following menopause.

What treatments are available for menopause?

You can effectively manage symptoms of perimenopause and menopause through a number of treatments, including:

  • Hormone therapies
  • Talk therapy
  • Low-dose antidepressants
  • Nutritional supplements

Depending on your age and health, Dr. Taymour recommends a treatment, or combination of treatments, to ensure your physical and mental health and well-being. Contact Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group to set up an appointment. Dr. Taymour is highly skilled in guiding and supporting women through their menopausal transition.