What should I do next?
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| | | |  | | | Shilpa Amin | | MD, CAQ, FAAFP | | | | | Q | | I think I'm starting menopause. What should I do? | | | | A | | First, I recommend consulting with your primary care physician (ideally someone who has women's health expertise) or your gynecologist to make sure other hormonal imbalances (e.g., thyroid dysfunction) or physiological causes (e.g., uterine fibroids, endometrial conditions) aren't causing these symptoms.
If you are indeed entering perimenopause, your doctor(s) may recommend a variety of lifestyle adjustments and treatments, depending on your symptoms and overall health.
In addition to causing a variety of symptoms, menopause increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, loss of muscle mass, weight gain, and bone health decline. If you have yet to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, the beginning of menopause is a great time to start! These include: - eating a balanced diet that focuses on whole and nutrient-dense foods
- getting at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week
- managing stress effectively
- avoiding nicotine and limiting caffeine and alcohol
- prioritizing good sleep hygiene
There are also a variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications that can alleviate symptoms and decrease the risk of complications. Systemic hormone treatment (which consists of estrogen and progesterone) is the gold standard treatment for menopause. It comes with risks for certain groups, including those over 60, so make sure to discuss this option in depth with your doctor.
There are also local hormonal therapy options that don't come with the same risks as systemic treatment. Medications, such as vaginal creams or pills, may relieve vaginal dryness and other genitourinary symptoms of menopause. Your doctor may also recommend antidepressants or antiseizure medications to help manage mood changes.
Remember, treatment for menopause is highly individualized. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. | | | | | | | | At what age did you start perimenopause? Or do you have any other questions for our menopause experts? Let us know at menopause@healthline.com and the answer may be featured in an upcoming edition! | | | | | Stock up | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Now's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | HEALTHY TIP | | Find a doctor who will listen to you | | If your current doctor isn't hearing your concerns about menopause, consider getting a second opinion. Having a supportive, educated team behind you can make all the difference as you move through this life stage. | | | | | | | |  | | | | We may feature your messages to our inbox within our content. Please do not provide any personal identifiable information. Replies may be edited for length and clarity. For more, see our Privacy Policy. | Healthline, Optum Now, and their respective logo(s) are trademarks of RVO Health, LLC.
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