Lake Regional Health System | Thrive | Spring 2018

lakeregional.com 9 O f the many questions women might have about menopause, the most basic may be this one: How do I know when I’ve reached it? “A woman has officially reached menopause, or the end of menstruation, after 12 months of no menstrual cycle,” says Loraine Nolla, M.D., FACOG, who cares for women at Lake Regional Obstetrics and Gynecology in Eldon and Osage Beach. “Most women reach this milestone in their 40s or 50s.” What to know Menopause happens when the ovaries stop making estrogen. Women gener- ally begin experiencing decreasing estrogen levels in their 30s and 40s. This is the time of perimenopause. As your hormone levels fall, your body starts going through changes. Every woman’s menopause experi- ence is different. But some of the more common changes include irregular periods, hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Easing the transition “Some women experience menopause with little disruption to their daily life, but for many others, managing the changes is a struggle,” Dr. Nolla says. “The sleep problems alone can cause major challenges, leading to fatigue and stress.” Loraine Nolla, M.D., FACOG WOMEN’S HEALTH Positive lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and getting more exercise, often can help ease the dis- comfort. Your doctor might suggest treatment options such as: • Using vaginal moisturizers or lubricants • Taking hormone therapy • Changing your sleep environment • Tracking and avoiding things that trigger hot flashes It’s best to discuss any treatment, especially hormone therapy, thor- oughly with your doctor. Postmenopausal concerns Once you’ve reached menopause, the years beyond are called post- menopause. Although menopause is a completely normal process and not a disorder, you should be aware of certain health concerns it brings. Postmenopausal women face an increased risk of heart disease, for example. To reduce your risk, control blood pressure and cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy weight. Estrogen helps keep bones strong, which means menopause can make you vulnerable to fractures and other symp- toms of osteoporosis. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D can reduce your risk of fractures. Ask your doctor about your risks for these conditions and what you can do to protect yourself. You may also want to ask about bone density tests or other screening exams. “It’s easy to feel like you are out of control when these changes begin, but you can still take charge of your body and your health,” Dr. Nolla says. “At Lake Regional Obstetrics and Gynecology, we are here to help you.” Is it menopause ? PUBERTY, PREGNANCY AND MENOPAUSE… Lake Regional Obstetrics and Gynecology providers can help ease these transitions. For appointments in Osage Beach, call 573-302-2764 ; in Eldon, call 573-557-2553 . Also, Dr. Nolla will present “Is It Menopause?” a free health talk in Eldon on May 16. Visit lakeregional.com/events to register.