Typically, as your hormone levels start to drop, you may experience any of the following common symptoms that signal the onset of menopause:

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Moodiness or anxiousness
• Sleep issues
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism
• Sleep issues
• Vaginal dryness

Once you enter menopause and your body settles into its post-reproductive phase, there are further side effects that may present themselves, such as:

• Bone density loss
• Incontinence
• Hair loss
• Painful sex

The degree and severity of the symptoms and side effects of menopause are as varied as the women who experience them. The good news is that there are many ways you can ease this transition. If your quality of life is being affected, make an appointment with Dr. Leslie-Brown to see what treatments are available to you.

While there is no cure for menopause, there are many ways OB/GYNs can address the disruptive side effects that may hamper your lifestyle, such as:

• Hormone therapy
• Vaginal estrogen
• Antidepressants
• Vaginal rejuvenation

There is also much you can do at home to ease the impacts of menopause, such as:

• Relaxation exercises
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Diet and exercise

Menopause should no longer signal the end of your healthy and active lifestyle, and there is a lot you can do to ensure that you enjoy your post-reproductive years.

Menopause signals the end of your body’s ability to reproduce, and you are considered to be in full menopause if you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. The physical transition into menopause simply means that your ovaries no longer produce estrogen and progesterone, the hormones needed for fertility.

Most women start their transition into menopause in their late 40s, a period known as perimenopause, and reach full menopause by their early 50s. These ages can vary somewhat based on your genetics and medical history, but the average age a woman naturally reaches menopause is 51.

The journey to menopause, however, varies wildly among women: Some women make the transition quickly and easily with few repercussions, while others experience a long and arduous road that has a severe impact on quality of life issues.