Services

Menopause

Menopause is a normal part of your aging process and marks the end of your fertility. However, the changes that occur in your body leading up to menopause and after can affect your quality of life, as well as your overall health. Wellness for Women in Naples, Florida is a patient-centered women’s health practice that offers individualized plans to help women manage the changes that occur with menopause. To schedule a consultation with Tracye Zlobl, MD, and the experienced team, call the office or book your visit online.

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural part of your aging process and occurs when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without menstruation. This happens because your ovaries are no longer producing estrogen and progesterone. You may reach menopause between your 40s and 50s, but the average age of menopause in the United States is 51.

Before you officially reach menopause, you go through a period referred to as perimenopause, which may last months or years. During perimenopause, your hormone levels start to fluctuate and may affect the regularity of your menstrual cycle, as well as cause the symptoms often associated with menopause.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

As noted, symptoms of menopause may start months or years before you officially reach menopause. Common symptoms include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair
• Vaginal dryness
• Low libido
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating

The type and severity of menopause symptoms vary. For some women, menopause symptoms are mild and don’t interfere with daily life. However, for others, the symptoms are severe and keep them from doing the things they enjoy.

No matter the severity of your symptoms, an evaluation at Wellness for Women and the experienced team is recommended to help you understand the changes occurring in your body and how it affects your long-term health. A decrease in hormone levels not only makes you feel out of sorts, but also increases your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and breast cancer.

How is menopause managed?

You can’t stop the normal biological changes that occur with menopause, but you can get relief from your symptoms. At Wellness for Women, your provider may recommend hormone replacement therapy to restore hormone balance, help you get relief from your symptoms, and reduce your risk of developing a chronic health condition.

There are other treatment options for patients who do not desire hormone replacement therapy or are not candidates for hormone replacement therapy. Your providers at Wellness For Women can discuss the alternative options to help manage perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.

Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and sticking to a regular sleep schedule may also help you manage your menopause symptoms and improve your overall health and quality of life.

For expert menopause care, call Wellness for Women or request an appointment online today.