Menopause is the last ovulation a woman has in her life (it can also be defined as having no period for one year). It will generally occur sometime between the ages of 41 and 58. Cessation earlier than that is called premature menopause and can sometimes be related to other conditions.

Menopause usually does not come on suddenly. Some woman have lighter infrequent periods. Some women have more frequent heavier period. Some women have no periods for a number of months and then suddenly start having regular periods again. Some women have regular periods and then wake up one day and have no periods ever again. Each of these scenarios is normal, but if you are worried about what is happening to you, you should call your provider.

As one’s periods become more irregular (or even before) women may have many other symptoms, including: hot flashes, mood instability, vaginal dryness, sexual dysfunction, urinary urgency and frequency, palpitations, joint pains, skin problems, etc. This time before one is truly in menopause or has stopped having periods is called peri-menopause. This can last anywhere from months to years.

Menopause can be a natural part of one’s life, or it can be caused by an illness, i.e. auto-immune diseases, or cancer requiring radiation or chemo-therapy, or as a result of surgery (i.e., removal of one’s ovaries).

As a certified (NAMS) menopause clinician, Dr. Green can help you get through this transition with all the physical, psychological and sexual changes that take place in your life.

Treatments will be constructed after a complete history, physical exam, and preventative medicine screen. The treatments recommended will take into account what is important to you and your needs. We prescribe hormone therapy (both conventional and bio-identical). We use a complete set of herbal remedies. We also work with acupuncturists, who can help with certain symptoms.