Menopause care
Menopause is the phase in a woman’s life when menstrual periods stop permanently. This change occurs naturally between the ages of 40–60 or earlier with certain health conditions.
What is menopause?
When a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, she has reached the stage of life called menopause. Your provider can help you understand when you have entered menopause. After menopause, your ovaries make very low levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These low hormone levels can raise your risk for certain health conditions.
Menopause can mean a lot of changes in your body and mental health. During the years leading up to menopause, called perimenopause, you may experience a variety of uncomfortable or disruptive health symptoms and have a greater risk of health conditions such as heart disease and osteoporosis.
While some women may experience severe menopause symptoms, others make the adjustment with little to no trouble. At Intermountain, we’re here to help guide you through this transition.
Talk to your health provider to learn more about this phase of your life or for advice on any symptoms you might be experiencing.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause refers to the transitional period of time before menstruation stops. This is often marked by changes in the menstrual cycle and other physical and emotional symptoms. Perimenopause can last two to 10 years.
Symptoms of menopause
Menopause begins sometime between the ages of 40 – 60, although certain health issues may trigger menopause earlier.
Menopause symptoms include:
- Changes in menstruation. Menopause means an ending of menstruation, but before that happens your periods may get heavier, lighter, or vary in length or occurrence
- Hot flashes
- Sleep issues like insomnia and night sweats
- Painful or uncomfortable intercourse
Menopause treatment
If you’re experiencing symptoms of menopause, we can help.
Speak to your health provider about any changes you’ve noticed, and we’ll work together to help you get back to feeling like yourself.
We provide the following menopause care:
- Antidepressants
- Blood pressure medication
- Bone density testing
- Education on lifestyle changes that can help manage symptoms (lowering stress, diet, exercise)
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Low-dose birth control pills for perimenopausal women
- Vaginal estrogen cream
Get the care you need
Our gynecologists and certified nurse-midwives can help you get the menopause care you need.