Menopause Symptoms in Charlottesville, VA

Receive treatment to help you manage menopause with ease and confidence.

What is Menopause?

Menopause marks a natural phase in life when the ovaries gradually stop producing hormones like estrogen and progesterone. It typically occurs in people assigned female at birth aged 45 to 55, signaling the end of menstrual cycles and fertility. The average age of menopause in the United States is about 51 years old. The medical community defines menopause when one goes 12 months without a menstrual period. The period when hormones start to fluctuate before periods completely stop is referred to as perimenopause.

This transition can bring a wide range of physical and emotional changes, as the body adjusts to hormonal shifts. While menopause is a normal process, its symptoms can affect each person differently and can be severe.

Symptoms of Menopause Can Include:

Missed cycles or more frequent menstrual periods
Hot flashes and night sweats
Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
Mood changes, such as irritability or anxiety
Vaginal dryness
Discomfort during intimacy
Decreased libido or sexual desire
Fatigue or lack of energy
Memory lapses
Trouble concentrating
Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
Thinning hair or dry skin

This is a natural stage of life, but it doesn’t have to disrupt your well-being. At The Center for Advanced Gynecology, we provide personalized treatment options to help you feel your best during menopause.

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Who Needs Treatment for Menopause?

Treatment for menopause is only needed if one is experiencing symptoms that are affecting quality of life or the ability to function normally. Treatment might be beneficial if you are experiencing:

Disruptive hot flashes
Persistent insomnia or difficulty sleeping
Mood swings, anxiety, or depression linked to hormonal changes
Daily vaginal dryness or pain during intimacy
Low libido affecting relationships or self-esteem
Chronic fatigue or lack of energy
Memory or focus difficulties interfering with work or daily tasks
Noticeable weight gain despite a healthy lifestyle
Bone density loss or unexplained fractures
Hair thinning, dry skin, or other bothersome physical changes

Treatments Available For Menopause Symptom Relief

At The Center for Advanced Gynecology, we offer a variety of treatments to address menopause symptoms:

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Replenishes declining hormone levels to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes.
Non-Hormonal Medical Therapy: Effective medication options for managing menopause symptoms without the use of hormones.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHT): Uses only hormones in a form that is naturally found in the human body.
Our team is dedicated to helping you find the right treatment plan.

What are the Risks of Treatment?

Menopause treatments are generally safe, but they do come with potential risks, which vary depending on the type of treatment chosen. The risks could include venous blood clots, stroke, heart disease, and breast cancer. Side effects could include nausea, dizziness, and stomach upset and weight changes.

Our team at The Center for Advanced Gynecology carefully evaluates your medical history and personal needs to recommend the safest treatment option for you.

What To Expect

During an appointment for menopausal symptoms we’ll start with a conversation to better understand your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. If we determine that treatment is right for you, we’ll discuss your options and answer any questions you have.

For hormone therapies, treatments are typically straightforward, whether through a pill, patch, cream, or injection. Non-hormonal therapies might involve medications or other recommendations specific to your needs. We believe in evidence based treatments, straight talk, and won’t try to sell you any specific hormone product.

After treatment begins, you might notice symptom relief fairly quickly, though for some treatments, it can take a few weeks to see the full benefits. We’ll check in with you to make sure everything is working as expected and adjust your plan if needed.

Throughout this process, our team is here to help you feel supported, comfortable, and informed.

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Why Choose The Center For Advanced Gynecology

The Center for Advanced Gynecology, established in 2018, is dedicated to improving your health by offering expertise in various areas, with a specific focus on gynecological care and advanced surgical techniques when surgery is needed.

Our team provides specialized expertise in non-surgical treatment of chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, pudendal neuralgia, and vaginal, vulvar, and bladder pain.
Since opening our doors, we have recognized the need in our community for more than just specialty care and have a growing practice in routine gynecologic care, cancer screening, Pap smears, menopausal management, hormonal imbalances, hormone replacement therapy, breast care, contraceptive care, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, or other symptoms are affecting your sleep, relationships, or overall quality of life, it’s a good time to schedule an appointment. It is good to know your options and to get accurate information about hormone treatment which can be quite confusing when searching the internet. Unfortunately there is a lot of inaccurate information designed to sell you a product out there.

Some of the most common symptoms of menopause can include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. If these symptoms of menopause (or any other symptoms) bother you or affect your daily life, treatment options are available to help.

The short answer is no. Not everyone needs treatment for menopause. If your symptoms don’t bother you, there’s usually no need to treat them. However, if you suspect menopause is causing symptoms, consider scheduling an appointment.

The menopause transition (perimenopause) often begins with changes in your menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods or skipping months entirely. You might also experience a sudden feeling of heat (hot flashes), night sweats, or vaginal dryness. If you’re unsure, speaking with a provider can help confirm where you are in the process.

Hormone therapy can be a safe and effective way to treat hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms for many people. However, certain risk factors like a history of heart disease or other medical conditions might influence whether it’s right for you. Your provider will guide you through the options and help you make the best choice.

Yes, treatments like topical estrogen therapy or non-hormonal options can significantly improve vaginal dryness and reduce discomfort during intimacy. Your provider can recommend the best approach based on your needs.

The natural menopause transition typically starts between the ages of 45 and 55 as part of the aging process. Early menopause happens before age 40 and can be caused by genetics, medical treatments, prior surgery or other factors. Both can lead to similar menopausal symptoms, but early menopause might require additional care to manage long-term health risks.

Yes, premature menopause can increase the risk of conditions like heart disease, dementia, and osteoporosis due to lower estrogen levels. Working with a provider to address these risks is an important part of care.

Irregular periods are common during the menopausal transition, but if they’re accompanied by heavy vaginal bleeding or other concerning symptoms, your provider might recommend treatments to regulate your menstrual cycle or manage discomfort.