menopause
Menopause Care Designed Around YOU
As a menopause specialist in Memphis, TN, Susan Lacy, MD, FACOG and her team offer expert, personalized menopause management services to help you maintain your vitality, health, and quality of life as you enter this new stage.
As you approach menopause, your hormone levels drop and you might experience disruptive symptoms that interfere with your physical, mental, and emotional health. Whatever your experience in whatever stage you’re in- perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause- we’re here to help!
All Your Questions Answered
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the natural transitional phase before menopause during which a woman’s estrogen levels can start to rise and fall erratically, leading to irregular periods and often symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings, and more.
It typically starts around when a woman is in her 40s, but can occur as early as late 30s. It lasts anywhere from 2 to 10 years, ending when she goes 12 consecutive months without a period.
What is menopause?
Menopause is the natural and permanent end to menstruation. You officially reach menopause when you haven’t had a menstrual period for 12 months.
You also go into menopause immediately if your ovaries are surgically removed.
The average age of menopause in the United States is 51, and most people start their transition to menopause between the ages of 45-55. The change usually takes around seven years, but can last as long as 14.
What are the signs of menopause?
As you approach and reach menopause your body produces less estrogen, a hormone that regulates your reproductive cycle, as well as a wide range of other body functions. You also produce less testosterone which can lead to weight gain, fatigue and loss of libido, as well as other symptoms. As a result, menopause can cause a wide range of issues, which can include:
- Weight gain
- Muscle mass loss
- Joint pain
- Mood swings and irritability
- Depression and anxiety
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal atrophy and dryness
- Libido loss
- Low energy and lethargy
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
Every person experiences menopause differently. Some sail through without troubling symptoms, while others feel like their lives will never be the same. At MORE901, Dr. Lacy is a menopause specialist in Memphis and will talk over everything you’re experiencing to determine the best course of action to help you improve, maintain, and protect your health as you adjust to this new stage of life.
How can I manage my menopause symptoms and health?
Dr. Lacy, a menopause specialist in Memphis, TN, has been helping people cope and embrace this change for over 25 years. She offers customized and compassionate care that could include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), other medications, and lifestyle adjustments.
She provides thorough exams and testing to assess your hormones and other health indicators and creates personalized wellness plans to help you stay healthy and satisfied.
BHRT is often helpful, as it replenishes your body’s hormonal stores with plant-derived supplements that are identical to the hormone produced by your body. Dr. Lacy works with FDA certified pharmacies that provide injectable hormone pellets and Regel Pharma lab, a local compounding pharmacy, to prescribe the precise hormones you need. However, since each person’s experience is unique, there isn’t one best answer to helping with menopause. That’s why Dr. Lacy might recommend dietary adjustments to reduce symptoms like hot flashes and your risk of osteoporosis or adding exercise within your range of activity to your daily routine, in addition to hormone replacement options.
What other health concerns could i face during or after menopause?
Loss of estrogen can cause many different changes in your body, not just the end of your menstrual cycle. Serious or uncomfortable health problems can arise, such as:
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary incontinence
- Dry, duller skin
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
Its important that you reach out and see a menopause specialist in Memphis when you first begin showing signs of menopause. Dr. Lacy and her team at MORE901 are ready to help guide you along this journey so that you can maintain optimal health and wellness.