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 Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
Don't give up! As many women approach menopause they find themselves experiencing unexplained weight gain, especially around the waist and hip areas, despite their best efforts to watch what they eat and to inc... continue reading about I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
The clitoris never actually disappears, but it can become smaller over time after the loss of circulating female hormones with menopause. This is part of a normal condition with aging called urogenital atrophy.... continue reading about Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
Yes. Your symptoms could well be associated with perimenopause. The World Health Organization has defined perimenopause as the time period 2 to 8 years prior to menopause as well as the year after cessation of ... continue reading about Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
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."
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
I'm 63 and have had hot flashes for the last 20 years. I still have all my 'parts' and don't take hormones. I suffer from severe depression and take anti-depressants. Is there anything I can do? Can this be thyroid related? Should I move to Alaska?
It is unusual for hot flashes to persist with this severity for 20 years. Older women can still have them but they usually get less intense. Many anti-depressants are being used as an alternative to estrogen fo... continue reading about I'm 63 and have had hot flashes for the last 20 years. I still have all my 'parts' and don't take hormones. I suffer from severe depression and take anti-depressants. Is there anything I can do? Can this be thyroid related? Should I move to Alaska?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
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?
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
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.
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?
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