Menopause is a process that marks the end of menstruation. It is expected to be experienced during a woman’s 40s and 50s, though menopause can be onset from non-aging related reasons such as hysterectomies, hormone production disorders, and side effects of chemotherapy.
Menopause and its symptoms can be distressing. Both emotional and physical symptoms are expected such as anxiety and hot flashes, respectively. Working with a doctor can help provide symptom relief and make the process of menopause easier to undergo.
But before looking at how menopause symptoms can be dealt with, let’s take a look at the signs of menopause and how to know if you’re experiencing it.
What Causes Menopause?
Menopause is caused by a loss of proper hormone functioning and lower concentrations. This hormonal cascade involves many hormones, but common ones you may have heard of are estrogen and progesterone. Menopause is medically defined to have occurred after a 12-month interval of not having a menstrual cycle.
This can happen as a consequence of age, but may also occur due to chemotherapy, surgery, or any condition that damages the ovaries and impacts key hormone levels.
What Are the Early Signs of Menopause?
The most common first sign of menopause is your period being affected. Changes in the flow, frequency, and duration of your period can all indicate the early stages of menopause. The early stages are also when the common symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, begin.
Though there are a variety of symptoms associated with menopause, changes to your period can be the sign you need to go visit a doctor. Not only can disruptions to your period be caused by menopause, but they can also be a sign of serious disorders such as dysfunction of your pituitary gland. If you’re experiencing changes to your period, make sure you speak to your doctor.
How the Doctors at Craig Ranch OB/GYN Can Help Treat Menopause
Headaches or migraines, feeling a loss of self, hair loss, facial hair gain, joint pain, palpitations, and issues with memory and cognition are just a few of the disruptive symptoms you can expect to experience during menopause.
The providers at Craig Ranch Ob/Gyn in McKinney, TX, know the suffering that menopause can bring. That’s why we are proud to be able to offer numerous treatments to provide symptom relief. We can prescribe helpful medications and treatments such as hormone replacement therapies and antidepressants. We can also guide you through lifestyle changes to give you the tools to fight against menopause symptoms.
If you’d like to work with the providers at Craig Ranch OB/GYN who will take the time to understand your symptoms and create a tailor-made course of treatment then call 214-544-6600 to schedule an appointment.