Perimenopause and Menopause Management

You know your body well. When you feel it changing, you might feel uncertain and not yourself. We’re here to help you feel like you again — confident, hopeful, and ready to embrace the next adventure. Using the latest screenings and hormone testing, the women’s health specialists at AdventHealth will confirm whether your menopause has started and when it’s complete, so you can find peace of mind. This can include tests for hormone levels, including:

• Estradiol Tests
• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Tests
• Luteinizing Hormone Tests
• Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Tests

Whether you’re just beginning the transition or your menopause is already complete, we’re here to guide you toward wellness and vitality. Since conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis are more common during this period of life, your team of specialists may recommend more regular screenings. We might also perform a pelvic exam, since the lining of the vagina can change during menopause. Trust us to keep you comfortable and informed, because those are things that should never change.

Every woman experiences menopause differently. You might begin this transition at a different time than the other women in your life, and your symptoms might be more or less intense than theirs. We’ll make sure you get the care that’s right for you — from lifestyle changes to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — because you know best what you’re feeling. Your team of compassionate women’s health specialists will help you understand which stage of menopause you’re in, which can include:

• Natural Menopause
• Perimenopause or Premenopause
• Postmenopause
• Premature Menopause
• Surgical or Induced Menopause

For most women, menopause begins in the early 50s. But in some cases, menopause can happen prematurely, or before you turn 40. If you're still growing your family, it can be more difficult to become pregnant, and our fertility experts are here to support you in body, mind, and spirit, empowering you with options and offering comfort and guidance when you need them the most.

Menopause is a time of change and it’s natural to feel a little different. You might experience symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and difficulty sleeping, and your period may become irregular before it stops completely. In most cases, these symptoms will ease over time and you’ll feel like yourself again before you know it. But if your menopause symptoms are more severe, we’re here to help you find relief, with healthy home remedies, medical treatment options, and compassionate care. Your team of menopause specialists may recommend simple lifestyle changes and alternative therapies to bring your relief of menopause symptoms, including:

• Consuming Less Caffeine, Alcohol, and Spicy Food
• Diet Rich in Calcium, Vitamin D, and Soy
• Dressing in Layers to Strip Off During a Hot Flash
• Kegel Exercises to Strengthen Vaginal Muscles
• Regular Exercise
• Taking Slow, Deep Breaths During Hot Flashes
• Using Water-Based Lubricants During Sex
• Yoga

If lifestyle changes don’t work for you, your team may recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Taking estrogen or progesterone supplements can often ease severe hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness, but it might increase your risk of Breast Cancer, Heart Attacks, blood clots, and Stroke. We’re here to answer all your questions and help you find the right care option for you. Other medical treatment options to relieve menopause symptoms can include:

• Antidepressants
• Anti-Seizure Medications
• Blood Pressure Medications

Our network of hospitals and health-care facilities are here to support you with a dedicated focus on your body, mind, and spirit. Life’s next chapter can be the most exciting one yet. It’s time to embrace it.