Menopause & Perimenopause

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Menopause Services
at ATLAS OB-GYN

Menopause and menopause transition or perimenopause can cause varying symptoms in women as each woman is unique. Sometimes, the physical symptoms may interfere with a woman’s quality of life. We provide treatment options to manage those symptoms, including lifestyle changes, dietary changes and hormone replacement therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is menopause?

Menopause is the time in your life when you naturally stop having menstrual periods. Menopause happens when the ovariesstop making estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that helps control the menstrual cycle. Menopause marks the end of the reproductive years. The average age that women go through menopause is 51 years.

What is perimenopause?

The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. Beginning in your 30s and 40s, the amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries begins to fluctuate. A common sign of perimenopause is a change in your menstrual cycle. Cycles may become longer than usual for you or become shorter. You may begin to skip periods. The amount of flow may become lighter or heavier. Although changes in menstrual bleeding are normal during perimenopause, you still should report them to your health care professional. Abnormal bleeding may be a sign of a problem.

What health risks increase during perimenopause and menopause?

The estrogen produced by women’s ovaries before menopause protects against heart attacks and stroke. When less estrogen is made after menopause, women lose much of this protection. Midlife also is the time when risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and being physically inactive, are more common. All of these combined factors increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in menopausal women.