How To Treat Menopause
In practice since 2010, Dr. Slabas is a caring and compassionate obstetrician-gynecologist practicing at Texas Health Women’s Care in Allen, Texas. Her practice includes well-woman health maintenance, complete obstetrical care including high-risk pregnancies, menopausal management, urinary incontinence, infertility care,... more
Menopause occurs when you have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It’s a normal part of aging and is the end of your fertile, reproductive years. Menopause usually occurs in your late 40s to early 50s. However, people who have their ovaries surgically removed undergo "sudden" surgical menopause.
As you age, the reproductive cycle begins to slow down and eventually prepares to stop. This cycle has been continuously functioning since puberty. As menopause nears, your ovaries make less of a hormone called estrogen. When this decrease occurs, your menstrual cycle begins to change. It can become irregular and then stop.
Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. It's a brief sensation of heat. They aren’t the same for everyone and there’s no definitive reason that they happen. Hot flashes can also come with a red, flushed face, a chilled feeling after the heat, and sweating.
Menopause can cause emotional changes, including:
- A loss of energy and insomnia
- A lack of motivation and difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety, depression, mood changes
- Aggressiveness and irritability
Menopause is a natural process that your body goes through. When discussing treatment with your provider, it’s about treating the symptoms of menopause that disrupt your life. The main types of treatment for menopause are:
- Hormone therapy
- Non-hormonal treatments
