If you’re a woman, menopause is a topic you’d be suited to familiarize yourself with. Because the stage marks the end of women’s fertile years, many ladies associate “the change” with old age when it’s merely a naturally occurring phenomenon that impacts the majority of female mammals. Below you’ll discover more information on the process as well as common symptoms and how menopause care can help smooth your transition.

Understanding Menopause

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is a term that describes the natural changes a woman’s body goes through when she stops receiving her period. Although it typically occurs after the age of 40, some women have earlier experiences due to genetic conditions, trauma, or chemotherapy. Long before menopause sets in, many women experience perimenopause, which signals that the ovaries are producing less estrogen. During menopause, the ovaries stop making estrogen altogether, which is why menopause care such as hormone replacement therapy can be so crucial.   

Which Symptoms Are Normal?

Because estrogen is such an important part of a woman’s natural chemistry, menopause can cause a wide range of physical symptoms or none at all, depending on the person. Normal symptoms include irregular or skipped periods, mood swings, depression, irritability, headaches, vaginal dryness, bladder control problems, trouble sleeping, and changes in sex drive, to name a few. The goal of professional menopause care is to reduce the symptoms associated with the stage. Some treatments involve hormone replacement therapy, while others treat associated conditions. For example, if you struggle with insomnia due to your menopause, your doctor might prescribe medication to help you get the sleep you need.  

If you have started experiencing the symptoms of menopause or you have other questions about your health, reach out to the team at Caring For Women. This team of experienced gynecologists has offered women’s health services to ladies throughout the greater Anchorage, Alaska area for more than 20 years. For more information about their services, visit them online or call (907) 279-2229.