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
Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I am 51 years old. What is my chance of still getting pregnant, and how should I handle birth control as I move through menopause?
Women commonly believe that after a certain age they cannot conceive because they are too old. That is not entirely true. As a woman ages her fertility declines. A 45-year-old woman is less likely to conceive t... continue reading about I am 51 years old. What is my chance of still getting pregnant, and how should I handle birth control as I move through menopause?
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.
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I am concerned because my blood sugar is fluctuating between 110 and 117, over 90 days. I have good eating habits and control my weight, but it's been harder after menopause. Should I be on a sugar-stabilizing medication such as Metformin?
As men and women age, it is very clear that metabolism changes. Part of this may be due to hormonal changes, especially in women after menopause. This may be genetic or associated with a decreasing level of exe... continue reading about I am concerned because my blood sugar is fluctuating between 110 and 117, over 90 days. I have good eating habits and control my weight, but it's been harder after menopause. Should I be on a sugar-stabilizing medication such as Metformin?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
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
Why do some people lose height as they age? How much loss is too much?
After age 40, the average person loses about 1/2" of their height per decade. It happens because of gravity and wear and tear on bones, muscles and joints. Think of your skeleton as being made up of your ankles... continue reading about Why do some people lose height as they age? How much loss is too much?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Do women experience a surge in fertility at any point in perimenopause or just before menopause?
The average age of menopause in the United States is 51 years of age. Unfortunately, the fertility potential in women declines well in advance of this time. But to what extent and how quickly? There are few, if... continue reading about Do women experience a surge in fertility at any point in perimenopause or just before menopause?
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Surgery Center Division
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.
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Surgery Center Division
I'm 67, in menopause and on bio-identical hormones. During orgasms I have involuntary bladder releases. I urinate before bed and it still happens. My doctor said its bladder spasms that can occur with age. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do?
Fluid expulsion during female sexual arousal is not an uncommon event, as it is reported in 10-54 percent of women. The cause of this loss of fluid can occur due to female ejaculation (FE) or coital incontinenc... continue reading about I'm 67, in menopause and on bio-identical hormones. During orgasms I have involuntary bladder releases. I urinate before bed and it still happens. My doctor said its bladder spasms that can occur with age. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do?
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I'm 44 and am having a lot of highs and lows with energy, not sleeping well, but without hot flashes or loss of menses. My mother had a hysterectomy at 44, so her experience with menopause was cut short. Is this perimenopause or just hormone fluctuations?
Fluctuation in hormones and metabolism shifts are very common in women in their 40s, which occurs before you are perimenopausal. This is the most likely cause, but I recommend you make an appointment with your ... continue reading about I'm 44 and am having a lot of highs and lows with energy, not sleeping well, but without hot flashes or loss of menses. My mother had a hysterectomy at 44, so her experience with menopause was cut short. Is this perimenopause or just hormone fluctuations?
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