Healthy Aging
& Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause happens to most women between the ages of 45-55, and is defined by 12 months with no menstrual period. Once this happens, a woman becomes postmenopausal and is no longer able conceive. Common associated symptoms are hot flashes, insomnia, mood changes, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and vaginal dryness. There is also a cluster of symptoms called Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) and these include urinary frequency/ urgency/ incontinence, burning with urination, and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the period of time leading up to menopause, usually starting in a woman’s 40s. It represents a gradual decline in levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the body. It may be marked by the symptoms of menopause listed above as well as irregularity of the menstrual cycle. A woman can get pregnant during perimenopause.

If I have symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, do I need my hormone levels checked?

Most women do not need hormonal levels checked in order to be treated for their perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms. If you have an intact uterus, the pattern of menstruation can give us information that makes hormonal testing unnecessary. However, there are cases in which hormonal testing can give us useful information - if the diagnosis is unclear, if a woman no longer has a uterus, if needed to track response to treatment. The important message here is that you do not necessarily need hormone levels checked in order to be treated for your symptoms!

Is menopausal hormone therapy safe?

In the 2000s, the Women’s Health Study alarmed the medical world by concluding that hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women increased risks of breast cancer and heart disease. Since then, there has been a lot more research showing that hormonal therapy (HT) can be safe and effective when used in the proper settings. Safe use of HT requires an in depth conversation with a knowledgeable medical professional about your individual symptoms and risk factors. Dr. Jennifer Tang is one of the healthcare practitioners listed on the Menopause Society Website. Book your appointment today to learn whether hormonal therapy could be the right solution for you!

Click to see Dr. Jennifer Tang’s listing on the Menopause Society website.
Type “91354” into zip code.