Question 1

When will I reach menopause?

Accepted Answer

In the three to five years before you reach menopause, you go through perimenopause. During this time, your hormone levels fluctuate, often causing changes in the length and regularity of your menstrual periods. While each woman reaches menopause in her own time, on average, women enter menopause in their early fifties. Menopause occurs when your ovaries no longer release eggs and they stop producing estrogen. You’re officially in menopause after you go 12 consecutive months without having a menstrual period.

Question 2

What symptoms develop during menopause?

Accepted Answer

The classic symptoms of menopause may begin during perimenopause and continue for years after you reach menopause. You may have mild symptoms or symptoms so severe that they interfere with your ability to sleep or get through your daily responsibilities. Menopausal symptoms include: Hot flashes and night sweats Mood swings Low sex drive Vaginal dryness Painful intercourse Difficulty concentrating Memory problems Nearly half of all postmenopausal women develop a condition called vaginal atrophy.

Question 3

What is vaginal atrophy?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen is essential for maintaining healthy vaginal tissues. Without estrogen, your vaginal lining starts to thin, dry out, and become fragile. Additionally, you’ll have less lubrication and a diminished blood supply. These collective changes, called vaginal atrophy, are responsible for problems such as vaginal burning, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and bleeding after intercourse.

Question 4

What health problems develop after menopause?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen has a widespread impact because it regulates many functions in your body, such as bone and collagen metabolism. After menopause, you have a higher risk of developing a variety of chronic health concerns, including osteoporosis, aging skin, urinary incontinence, and cardiovascular disease.

Question 5

How is menopause managed?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi can recommend lifestyle tips to help you manage mild hot flashes and night sweats. For moderate, severe, or long-lasting symptoms, you may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Restoring estrogen levels back to normal stops your symptoms and prevents chronic health problems. Vaginal dryness may be treated with lubricants or topical estrogen. However, Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi also offers gentle laser treatment using the MonaLisa Touch® by Cynosure®. As heat from the laser penetrates vaginal tissues, research suggests it generates new collagen, elastin, and blood vessels, which relieve the symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Your treatment with the MonaLisa Touch is done in the office and it’s so gentle that it doesn’t cause pain. The MonaLisa Touch has a better than 90% satisfaction rate for treating vaginal dryness. Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi offers comprehensive menopause management helping you with menopause symptoms and other problems you develop along the way. To schedule an appointment, use online booking or call the office.

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