Vim & Vigor - Spring 2020 - Northside Hospital - 56

56

Ask the Expert

Preparing for
Menopause

KATHRYN PARRIS, MD, EXPLAINS COMMON
SYMPTOMS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THEM

When it comes to
menopause, there are
telltale signs that many of
us have come to expect and accept
as a part of this unavoidable change.
Between intense mood swings,
hormonal imbalances and hot flashes
that rival Georgia summers, you
may not feel like there's much to look
forward to with menopause. But just
because some women experience
these symptoms doesn't mean that
you will, too-and it certainly doesn't
mean that you can't do something to
help prevent or ease them.
Kathryn Parris, MD, an OB/GYN
with Northside's Gwinnett Physicians
Group OB/GYN, answers some of
the most common questions about
this next stage of life and how certain
behaviors can ease the transition.

Is there a specific age
when women experience
menopause?
KP: Unfortunately, menopause

What's the difference
between perimenopause
and menopause?
KP: Perimenopause can start
as early as your late 30s, and the
average length is about four years.

SPRING 2020 VIM & VIGOR

Do you recommend
hormone therapy? Is it
the only option for managing
my symptoms?
KP: Hormone therapy is something

that I discuss with people going
through perimenopause to relieve
symptoms. It's not something I
recommend for women to take long
term, but it can definitely help when
the symptoms are at their worst.
There are also plenty of other
options available. Although I
recommend discussing them
with your doctor first, stress
reduction techniques, increasing
exercise, talking with a therapist,
decreasing alcohol consumption
and changing your diet can all
have a positive effect.

Does menopause affect
my health in other ways?

KP: Unfortunately, yes. Because

Kathryn
Parris, MD

During perimenopause, you'll
start experiencing symptoms
such as mood changes, low
energy, vaginal dryness, sleep
problems, irritability and, yes,
even hot flashes. Some women
also experience weight gain,
an increase in facial hair or a
receding hairline. You can even
have irregular periods during
perimenopause because your
estrogen levels are dropping. Of
course, not all women will get
all symptoms.
When you start experiencing
these symptoms, your doctor can
help diagnose perimenopause
through a series of blood tests.
During this time, talk to your
doctor about your symptoms
and how to best manage them to
minimize their effect on daily life.
Menopause officially occurs
when you have been periodfree for one year. Thankfully
for most women, symptoms

your estrogen levels are dropping
and progesterone levels are
increasing, your risk for heart
disease, stroke and osteoporosis
increase. To minimize the negative
effects of menopause on your
overall health, you should maintain
a healthy and balanced diet
(complete with nutrient-dense
foods), practice safe sex, quit
smoking and discuss annual health
screenings with your doctor. 

Embracing
the Next
Phase of Life

Menopause can be an overwhelming
and stressful transition, but with
the right care, you can make the
most of this next stage of life.
With compassionate providers,
comprehensive services and the
latest treatment techniques, you can
count on Gwinnett Physicians Group
OB/GYN for all things menopause.
Schedule your appointment by
calling 678-775-0600.

TOP PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

knows no age. Typically, women
will enter menopause in their 40s,
but it can happen earlier. Having
a hysterectomy, your ovaries
removed or cancer treatment;
being a smoker; or having a family
history of smoking can all affect
the timing of menopause.

decrease or go away completely
after menopause.
Vim & Vigor - Spring 2020 - Northside Hospital

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2020 - Northside Hospital
