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 Pacific Medical Foundation
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?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Could the hormonal changes I'm experiencing during perimenopause be affecting my memory? I've heard a lot of references to "meno-fog."
Almost 2/3 of women complain of memory impairment during menopause and after childbirth when hormones are in flux. This "brain fog" is common and likely is influenced by estrogen. We do have estrogen receptors ... continue reading about Could the hormonal changes I'm experiencing during perimenopause be affecting my memory? I've heard a lot of references to "meno-fog."
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Surgery Center Division
I underwent a total hysterectomy in February of last year. Is it normal that my stomach still feels swollen? I'm using topical Evamist (two sprays each day) that my doctor recommended.
After undergoing a hysterectomy where the ovaries are removed, a premenopausal woman may experience menopausal symptoms. These menopausal symptoms may include hot flashes which can have a detrimental effect on ... continue reading about I underwent a total hysterectomy in February of last year. Is it normal that my stomach still feels swollen? I'm using topical Evamist (two sprays each day) that my doctor recommended.
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
I'm 57 years old and going through menopause. Last week I experienced three days of bleeding. It was a light flow, but at my age I'm concerned. I'm not on any type of medication, not even aspirin. Is this something out of the normal?
This may or may not be abnormal as one's hormones can fluctuate in the perimenopausal years. If it has been over a year since your last normal menses, then this is called postmenopausal bleeding and needs immed... continue reading about I'm 57 years old and going through menopause. Last week I experienced three days of bleeding. It was a light flow, but at my age I'm concerned. I'm not on any type of medication, not even aspirin. Is this something out of the normal?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My FSH level is 77. Can menopause be a reason that my knee joints hurt? I don't have any sports injury. Will it resolve in time?
High FSH does not directly cause joint pain or the inflammatory joint disease known as arthritis. If the pain persists and is associated with swelling, an X-ray or MRI may be appropriate. Non-steroidal anti-inf... continue reading about My FSH level is 77. Can menopause be a reason that my knee joints hurt? I don't have any sports injury. Will it resolve in time?
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?
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?
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?
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I'm a women in her 50s who is going through perimenopause. I have only had one menstrual period this year. Is there still a possibility that I could get pregnant?
Pregnancy is very unlikely at this age and stage of minimal ovarian function. Ovulation is so rare and the egg quality is probably so poor that fertilization would not likely result in pregnancy. However, this ... continue reading about I'm a women in her 50s who is going through perimenopause. I have only had one menstrual period this year. Is there still a possibility that I could get pregnant?
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