After 12 months without a period, you will be in the postmenopausal stage of life. Your menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes will lessen or go away entirely. Your hormone levels will remain low, and you will no longer ovulate, get your period or be able to get pregnant. During this time, you are at increased risk for conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Working with your doctor is more important than ever to maintain your health and quality of life.
A woman’s risk of developing certain conditions rises after menopause, including:
Cardiovascular disease, including stroke
Weight gain
Urinary incontinence
Estrogen replacement therapy relieves hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. It may be helpful in reducing the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, as well as some cancers.
Talk with your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. Your doctor may not recommend estrogen replacement therapy if you have a history of estrogen-dependent endometrial cancer or breast cancer, blood clots or inflammation of the veins, uterine bleeding without a diagnosed cause or liver disease.
Currently, hormone replacement therapy is not recommended for women after menopause. Speak with your doctor to determine what is right for you.
Yes, though some women lose interest in sex during and after menopause due to drier genital tissues and lower estrogen levels. Remedies to this include:
Estrogen creams and estrogen pills
Vaginal lubricants
Women who experience sporadic periods during perimenopause may need to continue using some form of birth control. Talk with your doctor about which form of birth control is best for you.
If you are having pain during sex, speak with your doctor . If you’re experiencing sexual problems, you and your partner may benefit from individual or couple sessions with a licensed sex therapist to help maintain intimacy as you age. The Hoag for Her Center for Wellness offers sexual health & counseling with a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). Our sex therapist will support you in navigating your emotions, while providing proven strategies and counseling to address conditions such as sexual health and relationships.
Urinary incontinence affects 50% of postmenopausal women. Hoag is a leader in surgical and non-surgical options for treating incontinence. Learn more about incontinence here.