Our Services
Gynecology - Menopause
Menopause is defined by gynecologists as cessation of menses in women when their ovaries have failed production of eggs. Average age is around age 51 in the United States.
Sometimes the diagnosis of menopause is difficult, particularly in women who have had a previous hysterectomy, and chemistry evaluation and further help elucidate the potential of menopause. This usually involves some blood work evaluation, specifically that of the measurement of the FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) level of the patient.
Symptoms of menopause are often: "hot flashes", night sweats, and possibly
emotional changes.
Treatment
Treatment of menopause is quite controversial at this point in time. As many patient's are aware of the recent studies, particularly the Women's Health Initiative, published in 2002, suggest that there are multiple considerations in whether or not hormone therapy should be initiated.
These considerations include primarily whether the patient has a uterus or has had a hysterectomy.
In general, physicians at the Brazos Valley Women's Center are in agreement with the current data that suggests that for patient's who have a uterus and are menopausal that estrogen and progesterone therapy are necessary to prevent the risk of estrogen hyperstimulation of the uterus and possible risk of subsequent uterine cancer. Therefore, because of the need for progesterone, the data from the Women's Health Initiative suggests that estrogen and progesterone therapy may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer, particularly in older patients.
For the women who are initiating combined HT in early menopause the risks seem less obvious and may be safer.
There are multiple nonhormonal treatments available which can be initiated and discussed by the Brazos Valley Women's Center. These might include, use of certain medications, prescription medications as well as over-the-counter medications.
For those patients who have had their uterus removed, the use of estrogen replacement therapies seem to be less risky for breast cancer, heart attack and stroke, particularly if they are in early menopause.
Nonhormonal treatment for menopausal women should include periodic evaluation of their bone health with bone density evaluations either at the Brazos Valley Women's Center with a simple heel bone density or a more extensive DEXA evaluation at a facility available in the area. All patients will be recommended to have calcium and vitamin D therapy with varying activities and evaluation and treatments for osteoporosis can be an initiated which would include therapies other than hormonal replacement therapy. These might include such medications as: Actonel, Fosamax, Voniva, Evista, or even such extensive treatments as Forteo.
These evaluations can all be discussed with your health care provider at the Brazos Valley Women's Center.
