Menopause signifies the end of a woman’s fertility and typically occurs around the age of 51, but can happen in your 40s. If you are dealing with disruptive menopausal symptoms, treatment administered by a menopause doctor in Massachusetts who has experience with hormone replacement therapy could help you manage the effects of this natural biological process.
In the months and years preceding menopause, also known as perimenopause, a woman may experience a variety of symptoms. Examples of adverse menopausal symptoms include:
While symptoms vary for every woman, it is common to experience some irregularity in menstruation before periods cease completely. A skilled menopause physician could evaluate a Massachusetts patient’s menstrual health to determine whether they could benefit from hormone treatment.
Menopause is triggered by a woman’s natural decrease in reproductive hormones. As women approach their late 30s, their ovaries produce less and less progesterone and estrogen – which regulate menstrual cycles and fertility. By their 40s, women may have shorter or longer, lighter or heavier, less or more frequent periods until their ovaries cease producing eggs. This period stop by around the age of 51.
Women who undergo a hysterectomy — to remove their uterus but not their ovaries — typically do not experience immediate menopause. A surgery removing both the uterus and ovaries also does result in immediate menopause.
Certain cancer therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, could induce menopause during or after treatment. However, it is not always permanent.
In some cases, a menopause doctor would recommend additional evaluation before administering hormone treatment. For example, testing a patient’s level of estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormones or their thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, as an under-active thyroid can cause symptoms similar to those of menopause.
Menopause treatment at our clinic focuses on relieving adverse symptoms as well as preventing or managing conditions that could accompany the aging process. Depending on a Massachusetts patient’s family and personal medical history, a menopause doctor could recommend estrogen therapy in addition to menopause treatment. Women who still have not undergone a hysterectomy may require progesterone along with estrogen.
Long-term hormone therapy could have certain breast cancer and cardiovascular risks. A menopause physician would discuss the risks and benefits of this type of treatment with every patient to determine whether it the best choice for their circumstances.
Women who cannot take estrogen due to health concerns or require a mild antidepressant could be prescribed low-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to treat hot flashes. Clonidine and Gabapentin have also been shown to help reduce hot flashes in women. The benefit of seeking menopause treatment from Dr. Edward Jacobson is that Massachusetts patients would receive customized and unique dietary and supplement plans to meet their specific needs.
Before proceeding with any form of treatment, it is vital to consult with a skilled menopause doctor about your options as well as the risks and benefits associated with them. Call today to schedule a consultation to get your questions about menopause treatment in Massachusetts answered.