Menopause

Are you navigating your way through menopause? The expert team at Grapevine Women’s Health and Gynecology, LLC in Hillsboro, Oregon, can help. Nicola Rotberg, MD, and Sarah Jordan, MD, provide solutions for symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. They can help you embrace this new chapter of your life with confidence and comfort. Call or use the online scheduling tool today to book an appointment.

What is menopause?

Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycles and reproductive years. This natural biological process is diagnosed after you’ve gone without a menstrual period for 12 months.

Menopause typically occurs when you’re in your late 40s to early 50s, but it can also happen earlier or later. The transition to menopause, known as perimenopause, can begin several years before your final menstrual period.

What causes menopause?

Menopause is primarily caused by the natural decline in reproductive hormones as a woman ages. As you approach your late 30s, your ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate menstruation. 

In the years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, these hormone levels fluctuate, causing irregular menstrual cycles. Eventually, the ovaries stop releasing eggs, and menstruation stops completely. 

Other causes of menopause can include surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and primary ovarian insufficiency.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Menopause can cause a variety of physical and emotional symptoms due to changes in hormone levels. Common symptoms include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood changes
• Sleep problems
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair
• Dry skin
• Loss of breast fullness

No matter your symptoms, the Grapevine Women’s Health and Gynecology, LLC team can provide treatment to give you the relief you need.

How is menopause treated?

Menopause treatments include:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

HRT replaces the estrogen and progesterone the body no longer produces. HRT can effectively alleviate issues like night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.

Nonhormonal medications

Certain antidepressants, antiseizure drugs, and blood pressure medications can help reduce hot flashes and mood swings.

Lifestyle changes

Regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and stress-reducing techniques like yoga or meditation can help manage symptoms.

Vaginal estrogen

Localized estrogen therapy, such as creams, tablets, or rings, can treat vaginal dryness and discomfort.

Alternative therapies

Acupuncture, herbal supplements, and other complementary treatments may provide symptom relief.

Schedule a consultation with your Grapevine Women’s Health and Gynecology, LLC providers to learn more. They can offer the most appropriate and personalized treatment plan for managing menopause symptoms. Call or book an appointment online today.