If you are currently experiencing menopause, you may not be enjoying how your body is changing. Hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain are just some of the symptoms that can plague you, leaving you wanting a treatment that works. At Williams OB/GYN & Associates in San Dimas, CA, Dr. Richard Anthony Williams and his team help numerous patients just like you navigate the sometimes uncertain waters of menopause. Read on to learn more!
What is menopause?
The National Institute on Aging says that a woman has gone through menopause when she has not menstruated for a full year. Follicle stimulating hormones, Luteinizing hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all diminish as the ovaries get older. Hence, a woman is infertile and experiences bodily changes and symptoms which vary in intensity, from mild to severe to even debilitating.
These symptoms often start in the mid-forties and peak in the early fifties when ovulation and menstruation cease. For some women, many symptoms, such as hot flashes, are bothersome into their elder years. Dr. Williams encourages his patients to come to the OB/GYN office in San Dimas to discuss symptoms, undergo a complete gynecological examination, and determine a course of treatment.
Symptoms of menopause may include:
- Sudden feelings of heat and sweating known as hot flashes
- Pain during sex
- Vaginal dryness and itching
- Lowered libido
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Irritability
- Depression
- Problems sleeping
- Memory and concentration difficulties
Treating menopausal symptoms
Dr. Williams believes that his patients should seek help dealing with their symptoms, particularly if they seriously impact day to day life, interpersonal relationships, and the ability to function at home and on the job.
Treatment plans are individualized; there are no cookie-cutter care plans because each woman experiences menopause in her own unique way. Many women respond well to conservative treatments, while others require pharmacological interventions in the form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). While HRT can cause concerning side effects in some women (blood clots, for instance), short term usage under your doctor's supervision can prove safe and effective.
Other treatments include:
- Antidepressants
- Low carb/sugar diet
- Daily exercise
- Loose clothing
- Cooler bedroom temperature while sleeping
- Supplements such as black cohash and red clover
Find out more
Don't think you have to go through menopause alone. Your friends at Williams OB/GYN can make the transition manageable. Call today for a consultation with Dr. Williams, and start to feel normal again. Our San Dimas office is open Monday through Friday beginning at 9 am. Phone (909) 599-8677 today!