Menopause & perimenopause

Frequently asked questions on menopause, perimenopause, and post-menopause

Over the years we’ve fielded scores of questions from women regarding the perimenopausal transition and menopause. The information one woman needs varies considerably from the next, as there is such a wide spectrum of changes women undergo.

Because we understand this variation of experience, we try to anticipate our readers’ and patients’ questions and share our thoughts on matters with you. Each one of us is unique, but with years of counseling women on menopause behind us, we see common threads. Your questions have prompted us to ask many of our own, and we all learn from this exchange! Here are some of the classics.

1.	My hormone tests all returned “normal,” so why don’t I feel that way?
2.	My doctor says I’m not menopausal. So now what?
3.	What is post-menopausal bleeding, and how does it differ from the irregular bleeding common in perimenopause?
4.	I recently stopped estrogen replacement — why am I losing so much hair?
5.	Just how hot is a hot flash?
6.	How can I help my husband understand what I’m going through?
7.	Are herbal alternatives safe to use for menopausal symptoms?
8.	Can menopause be delayed?
9.	Can I delay menopause to preserve my fertility?
10.	Can hormone replacement therapy (HRT) stop menopause from happening?
11.	If my periods stop during chemotherapy, am I in menopause?
12.	How do I prevent growing facial hair in menopause?
13.	Is menopausal hair loss permanent?
14.	If I’m on birth control Pills, will I go through menopause?
15.	Will I ever enjoy sex again?
16.	Is there any way to predict when I’ll go through menopause?

We’re always happy to welcome new patients to our medical clinic in Yarmouth, Maine, for those who can make the trip. Click here for information about making an appointment.

 

Original Publication Date: 10/12/2006
Last Modified: 01/30/2008
Principal Author: Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician