Menopause: When it's More Than Just Hot Flashes 

Each year, 1.3 million women enter menopause, and none of these women will share the exact same journey. This hormonal transition affects women in wildly different ways — some sail through menopause with a few hot flashes, while others are saddled with life-altering side effects that affect their sexual, physical, and mental health.

As a healthcare provider who offers gynecologic care to women through every stage of their reproductive lives, Dr. Karen F. Brodman understands the many ways women can be affected by menopause.

So, you're not alone if you're experiencing changes beyond hot flashes. Here’s what we want you to know about menopause and how we can help.

Beyond the hot flashes

We mention hot flashes because this side effect is shared by most women — 80% report hot flashes and night sweats. These sudden changes in body temperature can pose far more than a minor nuisance, interrupting productivity and affecting sleep. 

But hot flashes are just the beginning for many women. The list of potential changes in your body as you lose estrogen and progesterone hormones is extensive and includes:

• Vaginal dryness, which affects half of women between the ages of 51 and 60
• Urinary urgency
• Urinary incontinence
• Thinning vaginal tissues
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Insomnia
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes 
• Anxiety

Clearly, these changes can have a major impact on your quality of life. While these symptoms should subside as your body adjusts to lower reproductive hormone levels, the transitional period can last up to a decade. 

Solutions for menopause

If you’d rather not literally sweat it out on your own, there are ways we can minimize the symptoms of menopause to improve your quality of life.

For example, we can take a systemic approach through hormone replacement therapy, which does a great job of relieving most menopause symptoms.

We can also take more targeted approaches. For example, if hot flashes are your biggest complaint, Dr. Brodman can prescribe a medication that better regulates your body temperature.

Or, if you only want to address vaginal dryness, Dr. Bordman can prescribe a topical vaginal cream that contains hormones that will improve your lubrication.

If you're struggling with depression or anxiety, we can address your mental health through medications and lifestyle changes, such as mindfulness practices.

Speaking of lifestyle changes, Dr. Bordman can also suggest several lifestyle tweaks, such as changes to diet and exercise, that can reduce the impacts of menopause.

The bottom line is that there are many ways to ease your transition through menopause. To find the best approach for your needs and goals, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bordman at our office on the Upper West Side of New York City today.