Managing Menopause

Menopause and perimenopause are natural stages of a woman’s life. During this time the production of the hormone estrogen declines and a woman’s reproductive years come to an end. Perimenopause is the phase that precedes menopause and can start 8-10 years beforehand.

As women navigate this new change, the vast majority will not need to seek medical advice. But sometimes the experience of menopause can leave others with severe or debilitating symptoms. In particular, symptoms can start to disrupt day-to-day activities, change or affect routines and have a negative impact on life.

Symptoms of menopause

Menopause is associated with a number of symptoms that include:

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Sleep disruption
• Changes in mood
• Changes in libido
• Vaginal and urinary problems
• Joint and muscle pain
• Weight fluctuations

Women may experience one or more of these symptoms over a period of time. Some symptoms can be managed at home but for those that start to interfere with general wellbeing, it might be time to seek specialist advice.

Management of menopause symptoms

Menopause is a natural process. Therefore, treatment for menopause itself is not needed. However, the symptoms of menopause can be managed.

At Kaplan Center we approach menopause from a holistic viewpoint. We help our patients manage menopause by taking a whole-of-body approach. Menopause is not just about the direct symptoms. It can impact your physical, emotional and mental health. Furthermore, factors like stress levels, current health status and self-esteem all play a role in how we internalize symptoms. Our management options focus on all aspects of health and not just medications.

Management options we discuss with our patients

We take a tailored approach to the management of menopause and perimenopause symptoms. Our goal is to recommend options that suit your lifestyle, your medical history and your personal preference. After discussion with our patients, management plans may include one or more of the following options:

• Nutritional Counseling – food as a form of medicine
• Herbal remedies – some women find success with herbal remedies, but as with all things, it is best to discuss the use of herbal remedies with your doctor first.
• Acupuncture
• Estrogen replacement -traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Psychotherapy, EMDR & Guided Meditation
• Sleep Evaluation & Management
• Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

These management options deal with a mixture of good nutrition, sleep strategies, medical wellness, emotional and mental well-being.

Managing menopause symptoms may involve some trial and error but we pride ourselves on providing advice and guidance throughout this journey.