Menopause Care

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IN RALEIGH, HOLLY SPRINGS AND CARY.

Menopause occurs when a woman’s body no longer produces estrogen and menstrual periods stop. Natural menopause occurs gradually, usually between the ages of 40 and 55, with the average age being 51. Menopause can also occur due to the removal of both ovaries. The dramatic hormonal changes associated with menopause can cause a range of symptoms. For many women, these symptoms can significantly impact their quality of life. North Carolina OB/GYN and Midwifery offers menopause care in Holly Springs to help women navigate this complex change with greater ease.

Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is different for every woman. Some women notice little difference in their bodies or their emotions, while others have difficulty coping with the symptoms of menopause. The good news is that many of the symptoms of menopause can be controlled with a healthy lifestyle and medication. The doctors at Capital Women’s Care specialize in designing an individualized treatment plan to help you manage this natural part of aging.

Symptoms	Worth Noting
Changes in your period	One of the earliest symptoms
Hot flashes	Most common symptom; can occur both day and night
Problems sleeping	Often caused by hot flashes; medication available
Vaginal changes	Vagina may become thin and dry; lubricants help
Urinary Tract Changes	May need to urinate more frequently
Bone changes	Osteoporosis can be managed with medication
Emotional changes	Often due to a lack of sleep and decreasing estrogen
Sexuality	Menopause doesn’t have to affect enjoyment of sex

Testimonials

Dr. Gunter has a mindful and professional manner which is both refreshing and rare in this day and age. We need more doctors like him.

Women’s Health Initiative

Deciding whether or not to use hormone therapy is an important health decision. The Women’s Health Initiative, a 15-year multi-million dollar endeavor sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has collected valuable information about the risks and benefits of long-term menopausal hormone therapy. Here are some links that offer the latest Women’s Health Initiative information and guidance about hormone use:

Facts About Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy
Questions and Answers
The Estrogen-Alone Study
The Estrogen Plus Progestin Study

Non-Medical Menopause Treatments

In conjunction with traditional hormone therapy, many women choose non-medical treatments to ease their menopause symptoms. Perhaps one of the best ways to help your body cope with the changes caused by menopause is to eat a healthy and well balanced diet. It should include a variety of low-fat, low-cholesterol foods and enough calcium to help maintain strong bones. Exercise is especially important as you approach menopause. Regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, slows down the bone loss that can result from lower estrogen levels and improves your overall health. For some women, herbal products can help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Because of the wide variety of herbal treatments available and their varying effects, it is best to work with your doctor to determine if herbs are safe and effective for you. Also remember that herbs can interact with prescription medication, so it is important to always let your doctor know about any herbs you are taking. Herbs that have been used to treat menopause include:

Soy Products
Black Cohosh
St. John’s Wort
Wild Yam
Dong Quai
Evening Primrose
Valerian Root
Ginseng
Chasteberry

Working with your doctor at North Carolina OB/GYN and Midwifery, you can come up with an individualized menopause care plan that takes into account your personal health history, risk factors, and preference.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy (HT) replaces the hormones that your ovaries no longer produce and can help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Depending on your situation, you may be given estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen with progestin, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. Hormone therapy is most often prescribed in the form of pills, injections, vaginal rings, or patches placed on the skin. In addition to easing the symptoms of menopause, hormone therapy has benefits and risks associated with it. The estrogen that is prescribed as part of hormone therapy has been shown to protect against bone loss, help prevent osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancers. Among the risks that have been linked to hormone therapy are a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer in women who use a combination of estrogen and progestin. The increased risk appears to be small, but increases the longer you are on hormone therapy. Hormone therapy also slightly increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots and of endometrial cancer in women who use estrogen alone. Your choice of whether or not to use hormone therapy depends on your individual health history and risk factors. Since the results of research studies are not always in agreement, it can be hard to weigh the benefits against the risks and decide what is best for you. The doctors at North Carolina OB/GYN and Midwifery will work with you to determine if hormone therapy is right for you.

How Much Does Treatment for Menopause Cost?

Since menopause symptoms vary greatly from one woman to another, menopause treatments are highly customized. The price of your treatment will depend on the modalities that best address your concerns. You will be provided with complete cost details once your menopause treatment plan has been developed.

Learn More about Menopause Care in Holly Springs

Whether your menopause symptoms are physical, emotional, or a combination of the two, our knowledgeable team can help you find relief, so you can feel your best again. Contact our office to learn more or to schedule a consultation with one of our women’s health experts.