Menopause and Perimenopause

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about menopause:	What are perimenopause and menopause? What causes menopause? What are the symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause? What kinds of hormone changes are happening during perimenopause and postmenopause? What are the positives and negatives of a low estrogen level after menopause? Who is affected by menopause?
Being diagnosed:	When do I need to see my health professional? Are there any special exams or tests I should have around the time of menopause? Who should I see about menopause?
Getting treatment:	Do I need treatment? What types of treatment are effective for relieving menopause symptoms? What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? What is estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)? What do I need to know about the risks and benefits of HRT and ERT? Are there non-hormone options for symptom relief? Are "bioidentical" hormones different than synthetic hormones? What about natural progesterone cream and wild yam? Should I use hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? Should I use estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)?
Ongoing concerns:	What do I need to know about the Women's Health Initiative research on HRT and ERT risks and benefits? What do I need to know about heart disease after menopause? What can I do to prevent osteoporosis after menopause?
Living with symptoms of perimenopause and menopause:	What can I do in my daily life to reduce symptoms of perimenopause? What can I do to manage hot flashes? What are meditative breathing exercises? What is black cohosh? What is soy? What is yoga?

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: May 26, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine
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