Menopause

Many women experience symptoms like hot flashes, weight gain, irritability, and low sex drive leading up to menopause. See how Virtua Health menopause experts can treat your symptoms so you feel like yourself again.

Signs and Symptoms of Menopause

For many women, the transition to menopause often begins in their early 40s. Called "perimenopause" or the "menopause transition," this life stage is defined by physical, emotional, and psychological changes.

You'll know you've reached menopause when you haven't had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

In the years leading up to it, you may start to experience many of the symptoms women associate with menopause. As your body's hormone levels decrease, you may notice these changes:

• Menstrual periods that are heavier or lighter, or shorter or longer than you're used to
• One or more missed menstrual periods followed by a regular period
• Hot flashes
• Weight gain
• Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
• Decreased sex drive
• Difficulty concentrating
• Night sweats
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Skin changes
• Vaginal dryness
• Pelvic floor issues or urinary incontinence

Each woman is unique in how she feels and in the timing of the symptoms or changes she experiences.

These changes may be no big deal for you. Or, you may need some help through this transition.

Menopause Treatment at Virtua

Perimenopause and menopause symptoms can range from mild to severe. Virtua gynecologists, midwives, nurse practitioners, and primary care doctors are experienced in helping women through menopause with a variety of treatment options.

Menopause treatment depends on the stage you’re in and the symptoms you’re experiencing.

Before beginning menopause treatment, your doctor may want to perform tests to rule out thyroid problems, reproductive cancers, or other health conditions.

Perimenopause treatments

If you’re in perimenopause, your doctor may recommend taking birth control pills containing estrogen to regulate the hormone levels in your body.

Abnormal bleeding - having a period lasting longer than seven days or occurring less than 21 days after the start of your last period - sometimes is treated with birth control pills or an intrauterine device (IUD), both of which thin the lining of your uterus.

You still ovulate during perimenopause, so you can become pregnant. Using a form of hormonal birth control also helps you prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Menopause and post-menopause treatments

If you’ve reached, or are beyond, menopause and experiencing bothersome symptoms, hormone replacement therapy may be an option for you.

There are a few types of hormone replacement therapy, including:

Estrogen-only: Estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy treats hot flashes and night sweats if you’ve had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).

It comes in pills, patches, skin creams, sprays, and gels. Vaginal estrogen comes as a cream, vaginal ring, or a vaginal tablet to treat vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.

Research shows that estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy may raise your risk of developing blood clots that can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or stroke. You should discuss your risk and appropriate options with your provider.

Progesterone and estrogen: Progesterone and estrogen hormone replacement therapy, also called combination therapy, is used to treat women who haven’t had a hysterectomy. Combination therapy often has different delivery options, such as patches, pills, and IUDs.

Using combination hormone therapy for five years or longer slightly increases your risk of developing breast cancer. Still, it’s shown to lower your risk of endometrial cancer, which occurs in the lining of your uterus.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT): BHRT, uses hormones derived from plant-based compounds that identically match human hormones. Delivered  through a pellet placed under the skin, hormones are released as the body needs them to achieve a proper hormonal balance and relieve symptoms.

Non-hormonal menopause treatment: Paroxetine, an antidepressant medication, is the only non-hormonal menopause treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like paroxetine, can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

You also can make lifestyle changes to manage your menopause symptoms, including:

• Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to avoid excess weight gain.
• Cutting back on caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol to help you avoid hot flashes or night sweats.
• Striving for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity daily and doing weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, running, and dancing.
• Reducing stress through yoga, mindfulness, or meditation.
• Seeking mental health treatment if you’re experiencing anxiety or depression symptoms that don’t improve with other behavior changes.

Based on your symptoms, risk factors, and personal preferences, your doctor will recommend a menopause treatment that works for you.