Menopause symptoms and what your doctor can actually do
6 min read
Menopause is not simply the end of periods. The years leading up to it can reshape sleep, mood, memory and comfort — and a great deal of it is treatable.
What perimenopause looks like
- Cycles that shorten, lengthen or skip entirely
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Broken sleep, often waking at the same hour each night
- Mood swings, irritability, anxiety or low mood
- Brain fog and word-finding difficulty
- Vaginal dryness and pain with sex
- Joint aches, weight redistribution and fatigue
What your physician can offer
Menopausal hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for hot flashes, night sweats and genitourinary symptoms, and it also protects bone density. For most healthy people within ten years of their final period, the benefits outweigh the risks — but it is an individual decision based on your history.
Non-hormonal options exist for those who cannot or prefer not to use hormones, including certain antidepressants for hot flashes, vaginal moisturisers and local estrogen for dryness, and cognitive behavioural therapy for sleep and mood.
The health checks that matter in these years
This is the decade when cardiovascular risk rises and bone density falls. Expect blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screening, a bone health review, and continued cancer screening — mammograms, cervical screening and colon screening.
Strength training, protein intake, sleep and alcohol reduction do more for symptoms and long-term health than most people expect.
Common questions
Do I need a blood test to diagnose menopause?
Usually not. In people over 45, the diagnosis is made from symptoms and cycle history.
Is hormone therapy safe?
For many healthy people starting within ten years of their final period, yes. Your physician will review your personal risks with you.
This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. For guidance about your own health, book a visit or call (519) 946-4954.