Menopause Specialist

Bethel Family Medicine

Family Medicine & Cosmetics Specialists located in Brockton, MA

For women, menopause is a normal part of the aging process. However, the symptoms that come with menopause, from hot flashes to mood changes, can be difficult to live with. The medical team at Bethel Family Medicine in Brockton, Massachusetts, including Douglas Grogan, MD, a certified menopausal specialist, provides treatment for women during menopause to reduce symptoms and improve health. For comprehensive menopause management, call the office today or book an appointment online.

Menopause Q & A

What is menopause?

Menopause refers to the transitional period in a woman’s life that indicates she can no longer bear children. You officially reach menopause when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without your period. On average, women in the United States reach menopause in their early 50s.

The hormonal changes brought on by menopause, which actually start before you stop menstruating and is referred to as perimenopause, cause a number of symptoms that many women find affects quality of life. While you can’t stop the normal transition of your biological clock, Dr. Grogan and his team at Bethel Family Medicine can provide treatment to help you get through the symptoms with ease.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

The symptoms often associated with menopause begin during perimenopause, which you may typically reach in your 40s, as your hormone levels begin to decrease.

Common symptoms associated with menopause include:

  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Low libido
  • Mood changes
  • Depression
  • Difficult sleeping
  • Weight gain
  • Thinning hair

In addition to the physical signs of menopause, the loss of estrogen may increase your risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

What treatment can help my menopausal symptoms?

Dr. Grogan and his team at Bethel Family Medicine specialize in the medical management of menopausal symptoms. Treatment not only relieves your symptoms, but research indicates it may also lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

The team offers both pharmaceutical and compounding bioidentical hormone medications to provide symptom relief and improve health. The medications are available in topical creams, patches, and pills. Dr. Grogan works one-on-one with you to develop a treatment plan that best suits your needs to relieve your symptoms and improve health.

You may also find that hormone therapy enhances your overall sense of well-being, strengthens elastic tissue, prevents vaginal dryness and hair loss, and strengthens bones.

What are hot flashes?

Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause and cause a sudden onset of heat in your upper body. Hot flashes most often develop the year before you reach menopause and last up until a year after, and sometimes longer.

When it comes to managing hot flashes, you have many options, including hormone therapy, antidepressants, and gabapentin, which is an epilepsy medication. Your specialist at Bethel Family Medicine can help determine the best treatment for you.

For management of your menopause from certified menopause specialist Dr. Grogan, call Bethel Family Medicine today or request an appointment online.