Menopausal Care

During menopause, your body goes through tremendous changes. At Kernodle OB/GYN, we’d like to be your partner in managing the ups and downs of menopause.

About Menopause

Menopause refers to the cessation, or stopping of a woman’s monthly cycle. The average age women experience menopause is 51. Some women may experience pre-menopause symptoms in their early to mid-40s, whereas others may experience changes associated with menopause as early as their mid-30s or as late as their mid-50s.

When menopause occurs before age 40, it is called premature. If a woman is 55 or older and still hasn’t begun menopause, it is considered late-onset menopause.

Menopause is a transition that occurs in three phases:

• Perimenopause: This is the transition time leading up to your last period when a woman’s body begins gradually producing fewer hormones.
• Menopause: This stage occurs when it has been one year since a woman’s last period. At this point, the ovaries no longer
• produce eggs or much estrogen.
  Postmenopause: In the years following menopause, most menopausal symptoms significantly decrease or cease altogether.

Signs and Symptoms of Menopause

While most women do experience some symptoms as hormone production declines, the type of symptoms and their extent vary greatly among different women. Common signs to look out for include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Low sex drive
• Dry eyes, skin and mouth
• Vaginal dryness or pain
• Emotional changes (mood swings, irritability)
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Changes in urinary frequency
• Hair loss
• Memory problems

Menopause Management

At Kernodle OB/GYN, we can help you manage your symptoms with a range of therapies including medication and lifestyle changes. If you think you’re going through menopause, call Kernodle OB/GYN at (336) 538-2367 to schedule an appointment at one of our two convenient locations in Burlington and Mebane, North Carolina. Our OB/GYN physicians and midwives will work with you to develop a menopause treatment plan that fits your individual symptoms.