Menopause is an inevitability for all women. It can happen surgically by the removal of the ovaries at an early age or naturally as you approach your early 50s. When that occurs, you will experience a “significant change of life” due to the reduction of female hormones. At Distinctive Women’s Health Care, board-certified gynecologist, Jeffrey Kotzen, MD, and the medical team offer comprehensive care for menopause symptoms based on your unique needs. If you so desire, hormonal replacement therapy may be appropriate. If you decide against hormonal treatment, Dr. Kotzen will help you find other ways to achieve long-lasting relief from menopausal symptoms that interfere with your life. Call the office in West Palm Beach, Florida, to schedule a menopause consultation or book an appointment online today.
Menopause is the natural time in a woman’s life that signals the end of her childbearing years and her menstrual cycle.
The transition to menopause, known as perimenopause, can begin as early as your 40s and last until your periods stop for good for 12 consecutive months. The average age for reaching menopause is 51, but it can happen earlier or later depending on your unique health history and biology.
During this time, your body slows down its production of reproductive hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This slowdown triggers a variety of symptoms that can be severe enough to interfere with your quality of life.
You can also reach surgically induced menopause if you have surgery to remove your ovaries to treat chronic health issues like endometriosis or cancer. Some medications and radiation treatment can also bring on menopause.
Because your reproductive hormones are responsible for regulating a variety of biological functions, you can experience a wide variety of symptoms including:
You might also experience issues that affect your mental health, including anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Additionally, the loss of estrogen can increase your risk for serious health issues like osteoporosis and heart disease.
Symptoms of perimenopause can last for up to 10 years before your periods finally stop. When you can no longer manage menopause symptoms on your own, the team at Distinctive Women’s Health Care can help.
Dr. Kotzen offers comprehensive care for menopause. The goal of your customized treatment plan is to rebalance your hormone levels and ease the severity of your symptoms.
He uses hormone replacement therapy to supplement your natural hormone levels. Synthetic hormones are structurally similar to the hormones your body already makes, and restoring your levels can provide long-term relief of menopause-related symptoms.
Restoring estrogen levels can also reduce your risk for osteoporosis and other chronic health complications.
If you’re unable to tolerate hormones, Dr. Kotzen can recommend other ways to keep your menopause symptoms under control. This may include lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and behavioral therapy to improve your quality of life.
While there’s nothing you can do to stop the transition to menopause, you can find help managing your symptoms. Schedule an appointment at Distinctive Women’s Health Care by booking online or calling the office.
