It’s no secret that once you hit your 40s and 50s, your body changes (especially your reproductive system). While menopause is a natural part of aging, its symptoms wreak havoc on your life. At John Y. Lee Obstetrics and Gynecology, the team understands this. That’s why John Y. Lee, MD, FACOG, provides compassionate and comprehensive care to women in perimenopause and menopause. From counseling you on lifestyle changes to hormone replacement therapy, Dr. Lee provides full-service menopause management. If you live in or near Suwanee, Georgia, call the office to learn more or schedule your appointment online now.
Menopause is your body’s natural process of ceasing ovulation and menstruation, thus ending your ability to conceive and carry a child.
After 12 full months without a period, you've hit menopause. In the United States, the average age a woman reaches menopause is 51.
Symptoms are often worse during the period leading up to menopause, called perimenopause, which is characterized by hormonal drops and fluctuations.
Menopause comes with a variety of symptoms, which may range in severity, including:
One of the first signs of perimenopause is irregular periods. In the years leading up to menopause, your period occurs less frequently. Although you’re not ovulating as often, you can still become pregnant during this time, so you should still consider using birth control.
If your symptoms are mild, you may be able to reduce them through simple lifestyle changes and home remedies. Dr. Lee recommends that his perimenopausal and menopausal patients:
If home remedies aren’t enough to subdue your menopause symptoms, Dr. Lee may recommend hormone replacement therapy. Depleting hormones cause your symptoms, and replacing them can reduce your symptoms.
Dr. Lee may suggest taking a low-dose estrogen for a brief period. In some cases, he may recommend combining it with progestin, which affects your uterine health. Beyond reducing your menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy may also reduce your risk of bone loss and prevent some cases of osteoporosis.
However, if you’re at risk for breast cancer or certain cardiovascular diseases, hormone replacement therapy may not be right for you.
If you’d like to get medical help with reducing your menopause symptoms, call John Y. Lee Obstetrics and Gynecology to learn more or schedule your appointment online today.
