What is menopause?

Menopause, a naturally-occurring life transition, occurs when a woman stops ovulating and having a monthly period due to a lack of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. In general, Dr. Taaly Silberstein considers a woman to be menopausal when she hasn’t had a period for at least 1 year. However, symptoms and changes may begin much earlier.

When does menopause begin?

Though it begins at different times for different women, it commonly starts after the age of 45. In fact, the average age of onset in the United States is 51. Menopause that starts before the age of 40 is considered premature, and Dr. Silberstein encourages women with these symptoms to make an appointment for an evaluation.

What symptoms are common during menopause?

Prior to menopause, women may experience a change in their menstrual cycles, and periods become heavier, lighter, or less frequent than normal. Once a woman reaches menopause, she may experience a number of symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, hair loss from the scalp, increased hair growth on the face, trouble concentrating, mood swings, trouble sleeping and night sweats.

What treatments are available for menopausal women?

Women improve some of the symptoms through self-care. Dr. Silberstein recommends eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise, and getting plenty of sleep. If a woman experiences vaginal dryness, over-the-counter lubricants help.

In some cases, prescription medications can help menopausal women. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, Dr. Silberstein prescribes low-dose birth control pills or menopausal hormone therapy. She may also prescribe medications commonly used for other symptoms or medical issues, including antidepressants, blood pressure medication, or drugs used to treat epilepsy. Dr. Silberstein is here to help women during menopause, call (818) 996-3200 to schedule! She is currently welcoming new patients.

Share this