If you experience any of the symptoms and you think you might be going through a menopause, schedule an appointment with your obstetrician-gynecologist to treat your current symptoms and plan for health screenings in which each person may need differently in order to maintain a healthy well-balanced life.

Menopause generally may not need any treatment. The treatments available aim to relieve symptoms, prevent, and manage any complications. Treatment includes two main types of treatment, hormonal and non-hormonal therapy which would depend on each patient’s needs.

Hormonal Therapy – There are two subtypes for Hormonal Therapy depending whether if you still have uterus or have had hysterectomy (Uterus removed) before

• Estrogen therapy – Low dose estrogen alone prescribed in different dosage forms depending on each individual’s needs. Estrogen therapy aims to relieve menopause symptoms and also prevent osteoporosis. This suits the patient who have had hysterectomy or their uterus removed.
• Estrogen Progesterone/Progestin Hormone Therapy (EPT) – Also known as combination therapy. This suits the patient who still have uterus as Progesterone reduces the risk of endometrial cancer with hormonal therapy. Taking Estrogen alone in this case may increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
• Vaginal estrogen to relieve vaginal dryness administered by vaginal cream, tablet or ring.

Non-Hormonal Therapy – Useful for patients who may not be able to take hormonal therapy and help in relieving symptoms.

• Low dose antidepressant for relieving hot flashes or mood disorder
• Gabapentin – helps relieving hot flashes and tends to be effective for patients with insomnia
• Clonidine – helps relieving hot flashes
• Prevention or Treatment of Osteoporosis (Refer to osteoporosis article)

• Natural aging
• Oophorectomy – surgery to remove ovaries
• Receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Premature menopause (Before 40)

Symptoms may come as you are transiting into menopausal period (perimenopause). You might experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Hot flashes
• Irregular periods
• Sleep problems
• Night sweats
• Emotional changes
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary urgency
• Weight gain
• Hair loss or thinning
• Dry skin