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Menopause Care

Want to talk with one of our clinicians about menopause or perimenopause symptoms? Book an appointment online at any of our health centers.

If you're an existing patient of ours, you can book your appointment through MyChart. 

Book online as Wellness Exam Call 800-230-7526

What is menopause?

Born with a uterus and ovaries? Menopause is a natural and normal process that happens to you as you get older. Menopause usually happens between ages 45 and 55.

How do you know you are experiencing menopause?

Hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, changes in mood, irregular periods and vaginal dryness are all common symptoms.

Menopause starts when your ovaries stop making estrogen, and slow down making other reproductive hormones, like progesterone. Without these hormones, you stop getting your period and stop being able to get pregnant.

If you’re between 45-55 and you haven’t had your period in a year, you aren’t pregnant, and you don’t have a serious illness, you may be going through menopause.

Not everyone goes through menopause because of aging. Sometimes other health issues kickstart menopause.

MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. HERE'S HOW WE CAN HELP:

Hot Flashes

A sudden feeling of heat in your face and upper body. They can be really uncomfortable and last for several minutes. Your health care provider can discuss hormonal and non-hormonal options to help with hot flashes.

Night Sweats

Hot flashes that happen while you’re sleeping at night and cause you to sweat. Night sweats can also impact your ability to get a good night’s rest. Your health care provider can discuss how low-dose hormone therapy may help.

Vaginal Dryness or Bleeding

The lining of your vagina may become thinner, drier, or less stretchy, causing discomfort during sex. The use of lubricant, certain hormonal creams or treatments can help with this symptom. Your health care provider can discuss your options.

Sleep Problems

Insomnia, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or waking earlier than you used to are all common symptoms of menopause. Your health care provider may suggest medicine, changes to exercise, or other therapies to help.

Mood Changes

Hormone changes can make you feel anxious, irritable, and tired. A change in diet, exercise, or hormonal therapy may be suggested by your health care provider.

Osteoporosis Prevention and Management

Your bones will probably weaken during menopause. This can sometimes lead to osteoporosis after menopause. A treatment plan including medication, changes to exercise, taking calcium and Vitamin D can prevent and manage osteoporosis.

Sex Drive Changes

You may lose interest in sex or have a harder time getting aroused. Low-dose hormone therapy along with other options may help boost libido.

Mental Health Support and Counseling

Going through major hormonal changes can be taxing on your mental health and overall well-being. You may experience anxiety or depression. Our Behavioral Health experts can provide the care you need to feel like yourself again.

Some people may also experience perimenopause in the years leading up to menopause.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause means the time leading up to menopause where you may have symptoms. This stage can last anywhere from a few months to up to 10 years, and is a process that may start, stop, and start up again.

Some changes you might notice include:

  • The time between one period and another changing (either longer or shorter)
  • Totally skipping a period
  • Bleeding patterns changing during your period (heavier or lighter)
  • Bleeding between periods

You can still get pregnant during perimenopause. If you don’t want to get pregnant, continue using your birth control method for at least a year after you have your last period. Your doctor or nurse can talk with you about stopping your birth control method and answer any other questions you have about perimenopause.  

Your body stops making some hormones during perimenopause and menopause. Taking them as medicine can help with symptoms and have added health benefits for some people.

Menopausal hormone therapy or MHT

MHT works by replacing 2 hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that your ovaries stop making when you’re going through perimenopause and menopause. They’re like the hormones in some birth control methods and can help improve menopause symptoms. Your health care provider will discuss treatment options based on your medical and health history and will share the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.

Why choose Planned Parenthood for menopause care?
 

We are the trusted experts in all aspects of sexual and reproductive health care.

We’re here to provide you with the high-quality, inclusive, and compassionate care and information you need to stay healthy throughout your life.

Discussing menopause can be an awkward conversation and many people do not bring it up to their primary care doctors. We’re here to talk out your concerns about painful sex, night sweats, and beyond to help you find the relief you need and deserve. Our health care experts may also suggest testing to make sure that none of your symptoms are related to a more serious issue.

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