Menopause marks a major time of change for a woman that often causes physical, emotional, and hormonal challenges. At Women’s Specialty Care SC, with offices in Grayslake and Lake Forest, Illinois, the team led by Karen Mass, MD, FACOG, and Leslie Rubeck, CNM, specializes in menopause management. Dr. Mass is a North American Menopause Society member with a strong background in hormone replacement therapy to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Call Women’s Specialty Care SC today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
Menopause occurs when a woman hasn’t had her period for 12 consecutive months. The time leading up to menopause is referred to as perimenopause, although many people use both terms interchangeably. The changes you may experience with perimenopause and menopause are because of a decrease in the production of estrogen and progesterone.
As you age, your body naturally begins producing less of these hormones, which play a significant role in reproduction. Both estrogen and progesterone also affect other functions, and you can experience many bothersome symptoms as they decline.
Menopause has been associated with many different symptoms, including:
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. You may experience some but not all symptoms, which can change over time as hormone levels continue to decline. Menopause can also increase the risks of some chronic diseases, including osteoporosis and heart disease.
The Women’s Specialty Care SC team offers many treatments to help you relieve symptoms and enjoy a more comfortable, healthier life. Some treatments target specific symptoms, such as vaginal lubricants or creams to treat dryness or medications to help with sleep problems.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treats a wide range of symptoms because it replaces some of the hormones your body no longer produces. Today, HRT uses hormones with the same chemical structure as naturally produced ones. That means the body “sees” and processes these hormones just like natural hormones, so there are fewer side effects than traditional hormone therapy.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), also known as natural hormone therapy, is the use of hormones that are identical on a molecular level with endogenous hormones in hormone replacement therapy.
In addition to medications, you can make helpful lifestyle changes like losing excess weight, eating a healthy diet, and being more physically active. Women's Specialty Care SC also offers personalized regimens, natural alternatives, and nonhormonal treatment.
To learn more about menopause management and how it can improve your health and well-being, call Women’s Specialty Care SC or schedule an appointment online today.