Menopause Specialist
Daniel Esteves, MD
Obstetricians & Gynecologists located in Lawrenceville, GA
Menopause may be a natural process, but it can involve uncomfortable side effects that interfere with a woman’s quality of life. Expert OB/GYN Daniel Esteves, MD, can assist you in transitioning through perimenopause and menopause with the help of lifestyle changes and hormone therapy. Women in Lawrenceville, Georgia, can call his office or book an appointment online to find relief from uncomfortable menopausal symptoms.
Menopause Q&A
What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural effect of aging, but it may also be induced through surgery (a hysterectomy) or chemically (with cancer treatments). It describes the time when a woman’s fertility ends and her menstrual cycle ceases. You’re in menopause after you’ve gone a full year without a cycle.
Natural menopause takes several years to complete as your hormone production shifts. The years leading up the menopause, when symptoms are often at their most intense, is known as perimenopause.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Some women experience no symptoms during the menopause transition. Other women have significant symptoms that can disrupt their lives. These include:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Depression
- Night sweats
- Irritability and mood swings
- Changes in libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful intercourse
You may experience just one or many of these symptoms. If they cause you distress and interfere with your daily life, contact Dr. Esteves for customized management.
How are menopause symptoms managed?
A variety of solutions are available for the symptoms you suffer as you go through menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a well-known, effective treatment offered by Dr. Esteves. He may prescribe estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone. The production of these hormones drops dramatically during menopause, causing your unwanted symptoms. The goal of HRT is to balance hormone levels in efforts to ease your symptoms.
Hormone therapy is available in a variety of forms, including pellets inserted just under the skin, creams, or patches. Dr. Esteves prescribes the one that’s most likely to help your specific symptoms.
In addition to addressing your menopausal symptoms, HRT in the form of estrogen can be helpful in mitigating the loss in bone density that often accompanies this change of life.
Does hormone therapy have side effects?
Hormone therapy can be extremely helpful in reducing the side effects of menopause, but it can be contraindicated for certain patients. Women who have a history of blood clots or cancer should not undergo hormone therapy. Dr. Esteves discusses all aspects of HRT with you so you can make an educated decision as to whether or not hormone therapy is something you want to try. He’ll also discuss alternative therapy options to help you manage your symptoms.
For more information on how to address the physiological changes that happen with menopause, call the office or schedule an appointment online.