What is menopause?
Menopause marks the time when ovulation slows to stop and the childbearing years come to an end. You’re considered menopausal when you’ve gone 12 months without menstruating. For the averge woman in the United States, menopause occurs around age 51. However, you can reach menopause earlier or later, and there is a transition both before and after where you man experience symptoms.
Before you officially hit menopause, you first go through a transitional period referred to as perimenopause. During this period, your hormone levels begin to fluctuate and you may experience changes in your menstrual cycle, as well as many of the symptoms associated with menopause.
You may begin to notice these changes sometime in your 40s, although some women begin experiencing perimenopausal symptoms in their 30s.
What are menopause symptoms?
The type and severity of menopause symptoms differ from woman-to-woman.
Common menopause symptoms include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of fullness in your hair
- Dry skin
If your menopause symptoms are severe and affecting your quality of life, Dr. Caitlin Fanning, ND can provide treatments to help you feel more like your usual self.
What can I expect during an evaluation for menopause?
You can expect comprehensive care when you come in to see Dr. Caitlin Fanning, ND for help with your menopause. She’s not only an expert in women’s health, but also takes a whole-person approach to care, focusing on your emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health.
During your initial 90-minute intake Dr. Caitlin Fanning, ND:
- Reviews your health history and health concerns
- Discusses your diet, lifestyle, menstrual cycle, sleep, stress, energy, and digestion
- Obtains a list of your medication and supplement use
- Conducts a physical exam
- Requests lab work
In addition to conventional lab testing, Dr. Caitlin Fanning, ND may also request testing for nutrient deficiencies, as well as your hormone levels using a DUTCH hormone test.
What are the treatments for menopause?
Dr. Caitlin Fanning, ND wants you to live your best life feeling healthy and happy. Your menopause treatment plan may include:
Based on your hormone testing, Dr. Caitlin Fanning, ND may also recommend bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This is a more natural form of hormone therapy that have the same chemical structure as the hormones naturally found in your body and can provide relief from your symptoms.
For compassionate care from a women's health expert for your menopause, schedule a free discovery call to learn more about how we care for women in per-menopause and menopause!
