At MU Health Care, we understand that the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can affect every aspect of your life. Our women’s health specialists will listen to your concerns and provide expert care that helps you meet your goals.

Menopause marks the end of your reproductive years and is a normal part of aging. No matter what stage of menopause you’re in, we want you to feel empowered during this time of your life.

The three stages of menopause include: 

  • Perimenopause: Your body may start to produce less estrogen for up to 10 years before you stop having your period. This can cause issues like hot flashes, the most common symptom of perimenopause. Your periods may become irregular, but you can still become pregnant.
  • Menopause: If you haven’t had a period for 12 months, you have reached menopause and can no longer become pregnant. On average, this occurs around age 52.
  • Postmenopause: After menopause, you may still experience some symptoms, although they are usually mild. Because of hormonal changes, however, you may have a higher risk for conditions like osteoporosis, pelvic floor disorders and heart disease.

Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

Hormone changes during perimenopause can cause symptoms such as:

  • Irregular periods (occurring more or less often than once a month)
  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Constipation
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Frequent urinary tract infections
  • Mood changes
  • Painful intercourse
  • Poor memory and concentration
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Weight gain

The severity of symptoms can vary. Some women don’t experience any or have very mild symptoms, while others may still have some of these symptoms even after entering menopause.

When to Get Help for Perimenopause and Menopause 

Any of these symptoms can have a negative effect on your quality of life. Our menopause specialists are here to understand your concerns and suggest treatments to help you feel like yourself again. We offer in-person and telehealth appointments to help you manage any symptoms you’re having. 

Being part of an academic health system allows us to connect you to other specialists who can offer advanced care. This includes pelvic floor specialists who can provide the latest nonsurgical and surgical treatments for pelvic floor disorders. These disorders are common in women after menopause.

Menopause Treatment at MU Health Care

If your symptoms of menopause are affecting your day-to-day, relief is often possible. Whatever your age and stage of menopause, we can collaborate on a plan to help you live your best life.

Our menopause specialists keep up with the latest research, so we can offer evidence-based treatments to help you feel better.

Nonhormonal Treatments for Menopause

Some strategies to reduce menopause symptoms without taking hormones include:

  • Lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity, limiting caffeine and improving sleep habits
  • Vaginal lubricants to make intercourse less painful · Antidepressants, which can ease hot flashes for some women
  • Fezolinetant, a newer nonhormonal medication for hot flashes
  • Gabapentin, a seizure medication that can also treat hot flashes
  • Oxybutynin, a medicine that treats hot flashes and overactive bladder
  • Herbal supplements to treat your symptoms with more natural remedies

Hormonal Treatments for Menopause

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is usually more effective at easing menopausal symptoms than nonhormonal therapies. However, HRT isn’t right for everyone.

HRT includes:

  • Estrogen-only therapy, which comes in creams, patches, vaginal rings, pills and sprays
  • Estrogen and progesterone therapy, which comes in pills, patches or intrauterine devices (IUDs)

When choosing a menopause treatment, we believe in shared decision-making at MU Health Care. We strive to listen to your concerns, answer questions and offer personalized solutions to help you find relief.

Referrals to Other Specialists

After menopause, your health risks can change. Because your estrogen levels have dropped, you have a higher risk for osteoporosis, pelvic floor disorders and heart disease.

When needed, our OB/GYNs can connect you with other specialists, such as cardiologists, endocrinologists or rheumatologists, to optimize your care. We also offer second opinions to help you make the most informed decisions.

Help for Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition in menopausal women that can cause urinary leakage, painful intercourse and other issues. Our Female Continence and Advanced Pelvic Surgery Clinic offers nonsurgical and surgical treatments to help relieve your symptoms. 

When surgery is needed, our gynecologic surgeons routinely perform less invasive surgeries that allow women to keep their uterus. These include laparoscopic and robotic procedures and surgery performed through the vagina.

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