Menopause Specialist
-
- Tweet
Alpenglow Gynecology
Rickie Guida, WHNP-BC
Gynecologist located in Littleton, CO
Menopause can be a confusing time for many women. It marks the end of a woman’s fertility and menstrual cycle and is often accompanied by a number of uncomfortable symptoms. Rickie Guida, WHNP-BC and the team at Alpenglow Gynecology in Littleton, Colorado, can help women navigate this transition. If you’re approaching menopause, call the office or book an appointment online to seek expert guidance.
Menopause
When does menopause occur?
The average age of menopause in the United States is 51, but it’s considered normal when this change in your fertility occurs anytime in your 40s or 50s. You may go through menopause at an earlier age due to premature ovarian failure or due to a surgical or chemical (chemotherapy) reason.
The symptoms associated with menopause can begin several years prior to the actual cessation of your menstrual cycle. This time is known as perimenopause and typically lasts two to three years, but can extend for much longer in some women.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
You’re considered to be in menopause if you’ve gone an entire year without a menstrual cycle. The symptoms that occur as you go through this change include:
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary incontinence
- Disrupted sleep cycles
- Changes in libido
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mental fog, mood changes, and irritability
Some women only experience a few of these symptoms, and they’re mild. Other women find perimenopause symptoms to be quite disruptive and uncomfortable.
How are menopausal symptoms managed?
Menopause is a natural biological event, and the symptoms can be managed. Lifestyle changes -- quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, improving the quality of your diet, and including more physical activity -- can help you as your body changes.
Alpenglow Gynecology offers MonaLisa Touch® vaginal laser treatments to help with symptoms such as vaginal dryness, mild urinary incontinence, and painful intercourse. You may also ask about hormone replacement therapy in the form of creams and pellets as a way to ease symptoms.
Plant estrogens, antidepressant medications, birth control pills, and vaginal lubricants are other options to help control perimenopause symptoms.
Which health conditions are associated with menopause?
Once you’ve gone through menopause, your risk of some health conditions increases. These include:
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease and stroke
- Urinary incontinence
The team can help you understand these increased health risks and how to adapt your lifestyle to minimize the chance that you experience them.
If you’re approaching menopause and experiencing uncomfortable symptoms, call Alpenglow Gynecology or book an appointment online.
When does menopause occur?
The average age of menopause in the United States is 51, but it’s considered normal when this change in your fertility occurs anytime in your 40s or 50s. You may go through menopause at an earlier age due to premature ovarian failure or due to a surgical or chemical (chemotherapy) reason.
The symptoms associated with menopause can begin several years prior to the actual cessation of your menstrual cycle. This time is known as perimenopause and typically lasts two to three years, but can extend for much longer in some women.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
You’re considered to be in menopause if you’ve gone an entire year without a menstrual cycle. The symptoms that occur as you go through this change include:
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary incontinence
- Disrupted sleep cycles
- Changes in libido
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mental fog, mood changes, and irritability
Some women only experience a few of these symptoms, and they’re mild. Other women find perimenopause symptoms to be quite disruptive and uncomfortable.
How are menopausal symptoms managed?
Menopause is a natural biological event, and the symptoms can be managed. Lifestyle changes -- quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, improving the quality of your diet, and including more physical activity -- can help you as your body changes.
Alpenglow Gynecology offers MonaLisa Touch® vaginal laser treatments to help with symptoms such as vaginal dryness, mild urinary incontinence, and painful intercourse. You may also ask about hormone replacement therapy in the form of creams and pellets as a way to ease symptoms.
Plant estrogens, antidepressant medications, birth control pills, and vaginal lubricants are other options to help control perimenopause symptoms.
Which health conditions are associated with menopause?
Once you’ve gone through menopause, your risk of some health conditions increases. These include:
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease and stroke
- Urinary incontinence
The team can help you understand these increased health risks and how to adapt your lifestyle to minimize the chance that you experience them.
If you’re approaching menopause and experiencing uncomfortable symptoms, call Alpenglow Gynecology or book an appointment online.
