Menopause Specialist
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Christopher K Quinsey, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology located in Lake Mary, FL
Menopause marks a time in a woman’s life when she stops menstruating. This natural change often comes with unpleasant side effects, such as hot flashes and insomnia. Christopher K Quinsey, MD, is here to guide you through menopause and life beyond at his office in Lake Mary, Florida, and serving the communities of Central Florida. With more than 23 years of experience, Dr. Quinsey can help you overcome the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Call Christopher K Quinsey, MD, or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.
Menopause Q & A
What is menopause?
A woman is said to have reached menopause 12 months after her last period. In the US, the average age at which women begin menopause is 51, but some women enter menopause in their 40s.
During menopause, your body stops producing the same amount of estrogen — the female hormone responsible for reproduction — that it did when you were younger. Reduced levels of estrogen make your body stop ovulating or producing eggs. But lower estrogen often brings other symptoms, like hot flashes, weight gain, and vaginal discomfort.
What are common signs of menopause?
Low estrogen levels contribute to a variety of symptoms commonly associated with menopause. Disrupted sleep, hot flashes, mood changes, and more can make it hard to endure the changes of menopause. Many women find the symptoms of menopause negatively affect their ability to enjoy life like they used to.
Common symptoms of menopause include:
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Thinning hair
- Bone loss
- Vaginal dryness
You’ll probably notice that you have more irregular menstrual periods as your body prepares for menopause. Additionally, the above symptoms can affect you at any time during perimenopause and menopause.
How does menopause affect my health?
Low levels of estrogen can lead to uncomfortable health challenges, such as bone loss and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This happens because low estrogen levels cause the lining of the vagina and the urinary tract to become thin and dry.
These hormonal and vaginal changes can also make sexual intercourse feel painful and uncomfortable.
Estrogen also protects women against heart attack and stroke. When your estrogen levels deplete, your risk of heart disease and stroke can increase.
Are there treatment options for menopause symptoms?
Many of the symptoms associated with menopause can be managed or eliminated through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT gives your body synthetic estrogen to help replace the lost hormone. HRT can help manage the negative symptoms of menopause.
Together, you and Dr. Quinsey can discuss your HRT treatment options to determine if it might help you manage the symptoms of menopause. HRT can be taken in a variety of forms and is a flexible solution to menopausal symptoms for many women.
If HRT isn’t the right treatment for you, there are plenty of other options. Bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and parathyroid hormones can help prevent menopause-related bone loss by increasing your bone density.
Menopause is a natural process that happens as you grow older, but you don’t need to go through it alone. To learn more about menopause and for help finding symptom management techniques that work for your lifestyle, call Christopher K Quinsey, MD, for your first appointment today.