Menopause Specialist
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ThriveOB and Women's Wellness
Private Medical Practices & Anti-Aging & Hormone Specialists located in Barrington, IL
Reaching menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, but it doesn’t always go smoothly. If you’re experiencing some of the unpleasant aspects of menopause, board-certified OB/GYN Jennifer Moreira, MD, FACOG, and her team at ThriveOB and Women’s Wellness in Barrington, Illinois, have years of experience in helping women who are struggling with menopause. If your menopause symptoms are negatively affecting your quality of life, call ThriveOB and Women’s Wellness today.
Menopause Q & A
What is menopause?
Menopause signifies the end of a woman’s reproductive ability. Menopause occurs when you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months, and it usually happens at around 51 years of age but can occur sooner or later.
Before you reach menopause, you go through a phase known as perimenopause, which begins with decreased production of estrogen and progesterone.
Some women experience few troublesome side effects from menopause, but others may have problems that greatly affect their quality of life for several years.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Typical symptoms of menopause include but are not limited to:
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Night sweats
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
- Dyspareunia (painful sex)
- Weight gain
- Dry skin and thinning hair
During perimenopause, your periods become irregular, sometimes occurring more frequently at first before tapering off and finally stopping. This irregularity is a normal part of perimenopause.
When should I talk to a doctor about menopause?
You should discuss menopause with your health care provider at ThiveOB and Women’s Wellness as you approach this change of life. Your provider can help you make adjustments to protect your health as your body changes.
You can also schedule additional appointments if menopause symptoms interfere with your health or quality of life. For example, if you develop post-menopausal bleeding, you should seek medical care.
The team at ThriveOB and Women’s Wellness provides customized advice and treatments to address your needs.
What treatments are available for menopause symptoms?
You can sometimes alleviate the symptoms of menopause yourself by leading a healthy lifestyle. Cut down on habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, eat a well-balanced diet, watch your weight, and take time to relax. Appropriate sleep, stress reduction and supplements can be very beneficial during this time.
If you need help making lifestyle changes, the team at ThriveOB and Women’s Wellness is happy to support you.
A common treatment for menopausal symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which involves taking estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone to replace the hormones your body is no longer producing. HRT can alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause, but there are certain risks involved, and it’s not suitable for all women.
The team also provides vaginal restoration therapy using MonaLisa Touch®, a laser treatment that restores vaginal tissue and can alleviate incontinence.
Taking care of your general health and seeing your women’s health provider can combat the effects of menopause. Call ThriveOB and Women’s Wellness to schedule a consultation today.
