Menopause

As women age, they begin to go through several different changes. The most well-known change is menopause. Menopause is officially diagnosed when there’s been 12 months since your last menstrual period. There are many symptoms associated with menopause and it can be difficult to process what might be going on. It’s important to discuss menopause with our OBGYN Dr. Richard Williams at Williams OB/GYN & Associates in San Dimas, CA as you begin to approach that time in your life so that you know what you can expect.

Going Through Menopause

Menopause is a normal biological process that all women will go through. This process can happen anywhere between your 40’s and 50’s. As you approach menopause, your body will first go through perimenopause. During perimenopause, you may experience various symptoms that can range from mild to severe. These symptoms can include:

• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Irregular periods
• Night sweats
• Mood changes
• Slowed metabolism
• Weight gain
• Sleep problems
• Thinning hair

It’s important that you talk to our OBGYN about your symptoms to ensure that you may be starting the process of menopause. As you approach menopause, it’s common to experience irregular periods, but if you start experiencing vaginal bleeding after menopause, you need to see your OBGYN as soon as possible.

There are different ways that our OBGYN may recommend treating your menopause symptoms. One of the most common forms of treatment is hormone treatment. Estrogen therapy can help stop hot flashes and other symptoms you might experience. Other forms of treatment include:

• Vaginal estrogen
• Low-dose antidepressants
• Osteoporosis medications
• Gabapentin

Our doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes to help with symptoms. This could be making sure that you get enough sleep, find relaxation methods, and exercise regularly.

Contact Our OBGYN Today

Make sure you understand what menopause may look like. Contact Dr. Richard Williams at Williams OB/GYN & Associates in San Dimas, CA, at (909) 599-8677 to learn more about menopause.