Featured Articles
Hot Flashes: What You Need to Know
Nearly all women get hot flashes during menopause. Is there anything you can do about them? Experts in the Sutter Health network weigh in.
The Latest Word on Hormone Therapy
Our experts discuss updated safety information and new formulations that might give you relief.
Menopause Mood Swings
Your dramatic mood swings in menopause are real, and likely due to hormonal fluctuations. Learn what to do about them.
Ask an Expert
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
How does menopause affect the joints and muscles in your body?
Many women experience joint and muscle pain and stiffness around the time of menopause that they hadn't experienced before. Because there are estrogen receptors all over the body, including the joints, declinin... continue reading about How does menopause affect the joints and muscles in your body?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I've always been very regular, but now in menopause I'm constipated. I eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, drink a lot of water. I'm normal weight and I exercise. I eat prunes and take Benefiber, but I still have small movements with lots of gas.
Constipation is a condition (not a disease) where a person passes small amounts of hard, dry stool, usually fewer than three times a week. The person may also have a feeling of incomplete elimination of stool. ... continue reading about I've always been very regular, but now in menopause I'm constipated. I eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, drink a lot of water. I'm normal weight and I exercise. I eat prunes and take Benefiber, but I still have small movements with lots of gas.
Jane Varner, M.D.
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
I'm 54, eat well and exercise five times per week. Yet my BMI is 27, which translates as obese. Is a BMI of 27 really that indicative of my overall health?
First of all, congratulations on getting all of that wonderful exercise! Exercise is so good for your physical AND mental health. Don't go calling yourself obese just yet. Technically, a BMI of 27 classifies yo... continue reading about I'm 54, eat well and exercise five times per week. Yet my BMI is 27, which translates as obese. Is a BMI of 27 really that indicative of my overall health?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm a 54-year-old African-American woman (menopausal) who is experiencing facial discoloration, especially around my mouth and chin. My complexion is normally brown/caramel. Since menopause I have light patches of skin in this area. What can I do?
It is not unusual for women to develop skin color changes around menopause. The skin is sensitive to hormone changes of the body at this time of life, in a similar way that the skin changes during pregnancy or ... continue reading about I'm a 54-year-old African-American woman (menopausal) who is experiencing facial discoloration, especially around my mouth and chin. My complexion is normally brown/caramel. Since menopause I have light patches of skin in this area. What can I do?
Heidi Wittenberg, M.D., M.S., FPMRS
California Pacific Medical Center
I had a partial hysterectomy 18 years ago (my ovaries were not removed). Lately I've been having pain and cramping, so recently had x-rays and an ultrasound. The doctor could not find my ovaries. Can ovaries just disappear on their own?
If ovaries are not removed surgically, they are still present. After menopause, our ovaries do shrink. Pre-menopause ovaries are 3-4cm, but after menopause they can be 0.5cm-1.0cm. The older we get, the smaller... continue reading about I had a partial hysterectomy 18 years ago (my ovaries were not removed). Lately I've been having pain and cramping, so recently had x-rays and an ultrasound. The doctor could not find my ovaries. Can ovaries just disappear on their own?
Jane Varner, M.D.
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
I'm a woman (60) who had not had sex for 10 years. I recently decided to start again, but intercourse was very painful. I have tried several times, but with the same results. What causes this pain and what can I do that will help?
First of all, you are not alone. Millions of women experience pain during intercourse, but most are too shy or embarrassed to bring it up. I congratulate you for raising the question! Intercourse is a wonderful... continue reading about I'm a woman (60) who had not had sex for 10 years. I recently decided to start again, but intercourse was very painful. I have tried several times, but with the same results. What causes this pain and what can I do that will help?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I had surgery to have my uterus taken out because of a large fibroid. I don't have periods anymore, and have not had any since my surgery in 2011. How will I know when I am actually in menopause? I turned 50 in May.
The experience of going through menopause is extremely variable. Some women breeze through it with little or no troubling symptoms, others are made miserable by hot flashes, sleep disturbance, heavy menstrual p... continue reading about I had surgery to have my uterus taken out because of a large fibroid. I don't have periods anymore, and have not had any since my surgery in 2011. How will I know when I am actually in menopause? I turned 50 in May.
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Sutter Independent Physicians
Does menopause cause increased urinary tract infections? It seems like I'm getting more of them now that I'm older.
Women are most at risk for urinary tract infections after menopause because of the changes in hormones that occur after menopause. The tissues of the vagina and outer urethra are affected by the lack of estroge... continue reading about Does menopause cause increased urinary tract infections? It seems like I'm getting more of them now that I'm older.
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
What is the more appropriate way to treat menopausal depression, hormone replacement or SSRIs?
There is no one answer to treating "menopausal depression". Restoring hormones (HRT) and SSRI antidepressants have both been shown to help with depression in mid-life women. There are other things that have bee... continue reading about What is the more appropriate way to treat menopausal depression, hormone replacement or SSRIs?
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