Providing Individualized Treatment and Relief
Menopause is a natural process that marks the end of your menstrual cycle and fertility. It’s caused by a decline in your reproductive hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone, and typically occurs in your 40s or 50s. It can be diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Menopause has many uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, weight gain, irregular periods, depressive mood, decreased libido, insomnia, osteoporosis, headaches, and anxiety.
The Premier Family Medicine physicians at Pomona Valley Health Centers can help alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms in many ways, including:
- Lifestyle management
Getting daily exercise and eating a healthy diet may help lessen the frequency and severity of hot flashes. We also recommend avoiding all tobacco products as they can worsen the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
- Herbal supplements
Certain herbs and dietary supplements may help alleviate symptoms of menopause. However, they can also cause dangerous side effects, interactions with each other, or interactions with other medications. The most commonly used supplements to help control the symptoms of menopause include black cohosh, food forms of soy, flaxseed (ground or oil), and vitamin E. Before beginning any herbal or dietary supplement, it’s extremely important to talk to your Premier Family Medicine physician.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medications
SSRIs are a class of drugs typically used as antidepressants to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and other psychological conditions. However, low doses of certain SSRIs may also relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and skin flushing.
- Hormonal medications
If none of the therapies mentioned above alleviate your most uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, we may prescribe hormone replacement therapy (cream-, gel-, patch, or pill), depending on your unique needs and health history. However, it is important to note that many women are not candidates for hormone therapy.
If you need help managing the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause or perimenopause, call Pomona Valley Health Centers at 909-378-9261. We provide high-quality, compassionate women’s health services in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and more at our conveniently located facilities.
