Menopause Specialist
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New Beginnings OB/GYN
Barbara McLaren, MD, FACOG
Obstetrics & Gynecology & Robotic Gynecological Surgeon located in Memorial, Houston, TX
If you’re experiencing menopause, working with a skilled and compassionate gynecologist can ease the process. Barbara McLaren, MD, FACOG, of New Beginnings OB/GYN in Houston, Texas, offers comprehensive menopause care to help you navigate this time of transition with ease. Begin today by calling to schedule a visit, or book online from the comfort of home.
Menopause Q&A
What is menopause?
Menopause isn’t an actual event but a transition out of your reproductive years. It’s a normal part of aging, and not a disease or disorder.
Although people commonly refer to the “symptoms” of menopause or “treatments” for menopause, it’s easy to think about the process in terms of a negative change. In reality, however, menopause often arrives at a time in a woman’s life when the obligations of work and family begin to ease.
With the proper care, menopause can actually be an exciting time of transition in your life. This is also a great time to assess your overall health and wellness and make changes to support you as you enter your later years. Post-menopausal women have higher rates of heart issues, osteoporosis, and other conditions.
How do I know if I’m experiencing menopause?
Menopause technically begins at the point when more than 12 months have passed since you last had a period. This usually begins around the age of 51, although some women notice changes earlier and others don’t enter menopause until they are well into their late 50s.
Knowing what to look for can make it easier to determine whether to seek treatment for menopause. Some of the signs of menopause include:
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Weight gain
- Increased irritability
- Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
- Headaches
- Sleep disruptions
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
Some women only notice mild changes, while others experience severe symptoms that affect daily quality of life.
What can be done to treat menopause symptoms?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for menopause. Because most of the symptoms of menopause are the response to declining hormone levels, supplementing your natural hormone production can help, and New Beginnings OB/GYN can help determine if you’re a good candidate for HRT.
Blood testing and other screening options can determine your current hormone levels. This allows your gynecologist to create a customized hormone replacement therapy plan.
If you’re only noticing a few changes, you might be able to find relief through other targeted treatments. Sleep disruptions, weight gain, and mood swings can all be addressed in various ways without hormone replacement.
Don’t accept the symptoms of menopause as inevitable when there are treatments that can help. Call New Beginnings OB/GYN today to explore your options, or schedule online in just moments.
