Menopause Specialist Melbourne
Every woman experiences menopause differently – with a gynaecologist in Melbourne, you don’t have to do it alone.
What is Menopause?
Menopause refers to a woman’s final menstrual period and marks the end of her fertile years. While menopause refers to the final period, it is diagnosed retrospectively after a woman has not had a period for a subsequent 12 months. During the timeframe before and after menopause, the reproductive system goes through fundamental changes that result in a dramatic hormone shift in the body, specifically the production of less estrogen as the ovaries stop releasing eggs.
Most women typically enter menopause in their mid-40s to mid-50s (the average age for Australian women is 51), but a small percentage will experience early menopause (occurring between 40-45) or premature menopause, also referred to as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) (occurring before age 40).
If you’re looking for a menopause doctor in Melbourne, you’ve come to the right place – our team of gynaecologists and obstetricians is highly experienced with the hormonal changes that occur during this life stage.
What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?
The menopausal transition generally occurs over two stages, leading up to and after the diagnosis of menopause (12 months after the final menstrual period). Symptoms may vary significantly between women, and many may overlap across more than one stage.
1. Perimenopause
This refers to the changes in a woman’s body from the recognised onset of symptoms through to 12 months after the last period. The perimenopause stage typically lasts for an average of 4-8 years. Symptoms may include:
- Irregular periods
- Changes in the duration and frequency of periods
- Increased premenstrual symptoms
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Sleeping disturbance (such as insomnia)
- Mood changes
- Irritability, depression, and anxiety
- Fatigue, memory changes and “brain fog”
- Hair growth or loss
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary discomfort
- Reduction in or loss of libido that may or may not be due to painful intercourse
Some women do not experience perimenopause and instead go straight into menopause.
2. Postmenopause
A woman is considered to be postmenopausal after 12 months without a period. Symptoms may continue to be experienced for a year or so after menopause, although they will generally become less noticeable over time. Symptoms may include:
- Weight changes (such as fat shifting from the hips to the abdomen)
- Decreased muscle tone
- Insomnia
- Irritability, depression, and anxiety
- Vaginal and vulva discomfort
- Urinary symptoms
- Reduced libido
- Joint aches
- Bone density reduction
It’s important to be aware that when these changes occur in a woman’s body, they are at increased risk of rising cholesterol, heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, and weight gain. As such, it’s crucial to keep in touch with your doctor and make appointments as necessary.
If you experience any bleeding more than 12 months after your last menstrual period, it’s important to discuss this with your gynaecologist.
What Causes Early Menopause?
When menopause occurs between the ages of 40-45, it’s considered early or premature menopause. Menopause occurring before the age of 40 is referred to as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Early menopause may occur naturally or for medical reasons.
Some causes of early menopause may include:
- Family history of early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
- Surgical procedures (such as removal of ovaries)
- Cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
- Autoimmune diseases
- Genetic conditions (such as Turner’s syndrome or Fragile X)
- Autoimmune conditions
- Smoking
If you are under the age of 45 and experiencing symptoms of menopause, book an appointment with a gynaecologist today for an assessment and assistance with managing your symptoms.
Treatment for Menopause
While nothing can prevent menopause, there are ways to potentially address and manage the symptoms that may improve your comfort and quality of life.
Treatment options include:
- Lifestyle changes (healthy diet, exercise, stopping smoking)
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
- Non-hormonal medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Fezolinetant)
- Complementary therapies (such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements and cognitive behavioural therapy)
We are committed to ensuring that our patients are adequately supported during their menopausal journey. This is why our highly skilled team of gynaecologists will work with you to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses your most distressing symptoms and allows you to live as happily, healthily, and actively as possible.
Treatment for Early Menopause
Women experiencing early menopause need specific care and attention, particularly if they hope to have a baby. Depending on the cause of your early menopause, it may still be possible to carry a pregnancy to term via fertility treatments.
The highly skilled gynaecologists and obstetricians at Create Health provide a personalised approach to symptom management and fertility advice for women experiencing early menopause.
Specialist Care in our Menopause Clinic Melbourne
Menopause is a natural part of growing older, but this doesn’t mean you need to do it alone. While some women may sail through menopause without the need for outside support or treatment, others may experience distressing symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life.
No matter what stage you’re at (perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause), speak with an experienced gynaecologist at Create Health to learn about how we may be able to help you navigate this time of transition.
With a variety of hormonal and non-hormonal treatments on offer, rest assured that your treatment plan will be tailored to your unique circumstances.