Menopause is natural, but it isn’t always the easiest thing to manage. Hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings and weight gain — the road to menopause may seem endless. You might wonder if you’ll ever get relief.
The menopause experts at Cleveland Clinic understand what you’re going through and will meet you where you are in this journey. You’ll get a healthcare provider who listens to you and your concerns. This way, you can get through menopause feeling a little more comfortable and confident.
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Menopause Care?
Specialized knowledge:
Our experts have extra education and training in helping people with menopause-related conditions. Some team members have earned the designation of certified menopause practitioner from the North American Menopause Society.
Personalized care:
Your providers will spend time with you and get to know you. They’ll want to understand your concerns and goals before they craft a treatment plan specifically for you. Meet our team.
National recognition:
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Cleveland Clinic a top hospital in the nation. Newsweek has also named us a top hospital in the world.
Virtual Visits:
We make it easy for you to check in with your provider without traveling or taking too much time out of your day. Virtual visits let you talk with them from the comfort of home on any device.
Menopause Stages and Symptoms
Perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause are all natural stages in your life. During perimenopause, your body makes less estrogen (that’s the hormone that regulates your menstrual cycle). Perimenopause is your body’s transition to menopause — the stage when you’ve gone 12 full months without having a period.
As estrogen levels drop, you might get hot flashes and night sweats. You may also notice other menopause symptoms like:
- Anxiety disorders and depression.
- Insomnia.
- Lack of interest in sex.
- Pain during sex.
- Vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy.
It’s normal to experience these symptoms during your transition to menopause. It’s also normal not to experience them. You might go through menopause without ever having a hot flash or feeling different. But if you have symptoms that are affecting your life, talk with your healthcare provider. We can help you manage your symptoms to help you feel your best.
Who Treat Menopause
Locations
We offer treatment for menopause at many locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Akron, and Florida.Menopause Treatment at Cleveland Clinic
Menopause might not be your favorite topic. But we’ll talk openly with you. We’ll ask you questions to better understand your lifestyle, symptoms and goals. Then, we’ll design a personalized treatment plan just for you. We want to be sure you get the menopause relief that’s right for you.
Hormonal medications
Your specialist may recommend hormone therapy for menopause symptoms. It may seem odd, but we may prescribe birth control pills during perimenopause to help control your hormones. After menopause, there are a few different ways you can take hormone replacement therapy. We might recommend you take it:
- Internally (an inserted vaginal ring).
- Orally (in pill form).
- Through the skin (as a skin patch, topical spray or topical gel).
Since there are some risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, we’ll look at your overall health to make sure it’s a good fit for you.
Non-hormonal medications
Our experts may recommend anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications to help treat your hot flashes without using hormones. These medications can not only help with your mood and hot flashes — but they might also help you sleep better.
Over-the-counter menopause symptom relief
We don’t recommend herbal supplements to manage menopause symptoms. That’s because these supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For vaginal dryness, we may suggest lubricants that you can buy over-the-counter (that don’t contain any hormones) to make you a little more comfortable.
Menopause support
It’s hard sometimes. Not everyone goes through menopause at the same time. Or you might not feel comfortable sharing with your friends. It sometimes can feel lonely going through symptoms on your own. To help, we offer shared medical appointments at various locations throughout Cleveland Clinic. These longer group appointments include follow-up care from your provider and support from others who are going through the same things as you.
Gynecologic Care After Menopause at Cleveland Clinic
Routine testing might be the last thing on your mind after menopause, but it’s important to still see your gynecologist for regular pelvic exams and Pap smears. Your healthcare provider will talk with you about how often you’ll need them.
Once you’ve reached menopause, you won’t have periods anymore. So if you notice any bleeding, let your provider know right away. Postmenopausal bleeding could be a sign of:
Taking the Next Step
You don’t have to live with hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings, dry skin or other menopause symptoms. We can help. Our menopause experts are here to help you cool down, get a good night’s sleep — and enjoy life again.
Appointments
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s menopause experts is easy. We’re here to help you get the care you need.
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