Menopause Specialist

What is menopause?

Menopause is the period of natural change in a woman’s life when she stops producing and releasing functional reproductive eggs and menstruation ceases. During the lead-up to menopause and during the change itself, a woman’s body goes through a lot of hormonal adjustment and the symptoms can be uncomfortable and challenging to live with.

Each woman has a unique experience during menopause, but typically the symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, irritability, night sweats, hot flashes, loss of libido, and vaginal dryness. Dr. Abdul-Mbacke helps her patients manage the symptoms caused by menopausal hormonal changes and lead healthy and active lives before, during, and after the change.

What are typical menopause symptoms?

In the years leading up to actual menopause, many women experience perimenopause or a period of time where hormone production slows. For example, after age 35, a woman's hormone levels decrease, particularly the hormone progesterone which counter-balances estrogen in a woman's body. As a result of these hormonal imbalances, some women may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and weight gain, which peak when she reaches full menopause and is no longer able to bear children.

When estrogen levels decline, a woman’s body goes through changes beyond those related to her reproductive system. For example, bone density tends to decrease as the hormones stimulating bone production are decreased. Muscle and skin elasticity also decreases, which can contribute to an aged appearance.

More importantly, the risk of significant health problems increases dramatically: Cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain all increase with the onset of menopause. At menopause, it becomes even more important for a woman to take care of her health, including regular visits to her gynecologist.

How are the symptoms of menopause treated?

When the symptoms interfere with a woman’s everyday life, there are a variety of treatments available depending on her needs. Prescription medications such as hormone replacement therapy or estrogen are available, but only under a Dr. Abdul-Mbacke’s recommendation and supervision. If the patient doesn’t want to use hormone therapy, Dr. Abdul-Mbacke will discuss other forms of medication.

Many women find relief with simple lifestyle changes. Diet and exercise can help keep women in good physical health and combat some of the physical symptoms of menopause. Women may also benefit from avoiding potential triggers, such as spicy foods and caffeine, to reduce the occurrence of night sweats and hot flashes. Alternative therapies such as meditation and acupuncture help many women, but any herbal remedies should be discussed with Dr. Abdul-Mbacke before taken.