Questions for Your Doctor About Menopause

No matter your age, it’s always important to establish a dialogue with your gynecologist and get answers to your sexual health questions. But when you’re on the cusp of, or currently experiencing menopause, you may need to modify those questions for your healthcare provider. Doing so will help you navigate the changes in your body—and help you understand what these changes will mean for you in the future.

The basics

If you’re in your 40s, you should still be in the habit of annual gynecological exams. During this exam, you should have the following:

• Clinical breast exam
• Pelvic exam
• Pap test every two or three years (depending on your Pap history and the schedule you have discussed with your gynecologist)

During your examination, you can also discuss any of the following topics or questions with your gynecologist:

• Your menstruation cycle and last period
• Problems such as pain, lumps or irregular bleeding
• Results of your recent tests
• Any other concerns about your reproductive health

Changes ahead

Beyond your general checkup, in your 40s and 50s you should begin discussing menopause with your gynecologist as well. The average age at which menopause begins is sometime after age 45, although it can begin as early as your 30s, and some women do not experience it until their mid-50s or later.

Perimenopause or premenopause refers to the years (up to 10) before menopause, during which periods may become irregular. Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, during which time a woman’s ovaries cease to function. On average, menopause may affect a woman for 6-13 years.

When your period ceases, the risk of pregnancy usually disappears. But menopause affects every woman differently, so make sure you ask your healthcare provider the following questions:

• During perimenopause, should I switch to a low-dose birth control pill?
• What are the benefits of low-dose birth control pills?
• What are the benefits and risks of hormone therapy?
• During menopause, do I still have to worry about birth control or pregnancy?
• Sex has become painful. What can I do to make it more enjoyable?
• What else should I know about my sexual health before, during and after menopause?

In addition, your gynecologist is an excellent source of information about what to expect in the coming years. If you worry about your menopausal symptoms or whether what you’re experiencing is normal, discussing these concerns can give you an idea of what to expect, allay your fears and have you feeling better about the next chapter of your life. Get in touch with your Riverview Health primary care provider for more information on menopause.

Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.

Sources: MedicinePlus.gov, WomensHealth.gov