Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is considered part of the normal aging process that affects the reproductive system: Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs, which leads to a significant drop in the production of hormones. As the body prepares for menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels start to decline, which typically begins when women are in their late 30s. Those changes in hormone levels usually cause irregular periods, such as ones that occur every couple of months or ones that last for a longer time. Gradually, women stop having their period all together, often in their late 40s and early 50s. When women go one year with no periods, they’re considered menopausal.

For some women, having a hysterectomy or undergoing chemotherapy causes menopause to occur early and suddenly.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

During the years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, women can have a wide range of symptoms that affect them physically and emotionally. These include:

• hot flashes
• mood swings
• irregular periods
• vaginal dryness and irritation
• weight gain
• night sweats
• thinning hair
• incontinence
• lowered libido

Dr. Tchabo evaluates each patient and determines a course of treatment for physical and emotional menopause symptoms.

Can menopause cause health problems?

While menopause is a natural part of the aging process, women who are menopausal do have a higher risk of certain conditions that bear watching, such as heart disease, elevated cholesterol levels, and bone fragility, which is why it is important to have a doctor monitor your transition into menopause.

What treatments can relieve menopause symptoms?

While there is no cure for menopause, there are many ways to offset the symptoms that come with it allowing women a better quality of life.

Estrogen hormone therapy: Hormone therapy helps increase estrogen levels, which can provide women with relief from hot flashes, mood swings, and other menopause symptoms.

Topical cream: Topical application of estrogen is an alternative to the injection of hormones.

Laser therapy: Procedures such as MonaLisa Touch® laser therapy can help relieve vaginal dryness and improve the vaginal tissue’s elasticity. This procedure uses CO2 laser energy to promote collagen production in the vagina. The MonaLisa Touch device intentionally damages vaginal cells, which causes the healing process to occur and damaged cells to be replaced with healthy ones.

Medications: In some cases, low-dose antidepressants have been used to ease hot flashes.

Dr. Tchabo and his team can go over the available options and help you choose one that will best address your issues.