Perimenopause & Menopause Care
Perimenopause and Menopause Treatment
From the first irregular cycle to life after your final period, we help women in Kingwood, The Woodlands and New Caney understand what is changing and what can help.
Understanding the change
Perimenopause vs. menopause
Perimenopause is the transition. It often begins in your 40s, sometimes earlier, and can last several years. Estrogen and progesterone rise and fall unpredictably, which is why symptoms can come and go and periods become irregular.
Menopause is reached after 12 months in a row without a period. In the United States the average age is about 51. After that point, estrogen and progesterone stay low, and some symptoms continue for years while new ones, like vaginal dryness or bone loss, can appear.
Surgical menopause happens when both ovaries are removed. Hormone levels fall suddenly, and symptoms are often stronger.
Symptoms
What women notice most
Common in perimenopause
- Irregular, heavier or lighter periods
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- New anxiety or irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Breast tenderness and headaches
- Brain fog
Common after menopause
- Ongoing hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness and painful sex
- Bladder urgency or recurring UTIs
- Weight gain around the middle
- Joint aches
- Thinning hair and dry skin
Our approach
How we treat perimenopause and menopause
Step 01
Listen and test
We talk through your symptoms, cycle history and health history, then order lab work.
Step 02
Build your plan
Options may include bioidentical estradiol, progesterone, low-dose testosterone or EvexiPEL pellets.
Step 03
Adjust over time
Hormone needs change through the transition. Follow-up labs and visits keep your plan current.
A note on safety. For many healthy women under 60, or within about 10 years of menopause, hormone therapy is considered an effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. It is not right for everyone. Women with a uterus need progesterone along with estrogen. Dr. Bernell will go over the benefits and risks for you specifically.
Serving the Lake Houston area
Close to home
Our office is at 22186 Market Place Dr., Suites 132 & 133, in New Caney, convenient for patients from Kingwood, The Woodlands, Porter, Humble and across Montgomery County.
- Kingwood
- The Woodlands
- New Caney
- Porter
- Humble
- Lake Houston
- Montgomery County
Questions
Common questions
How do I know if I am in perimenopause?
Irregular periods plus new symptoms like hot flashes, poor sleep or mood changes in your 40s are the most common signs. Because hormone levels swing day to day, diagnosis is based on your symptoms and history, with labs to rule out other causes such as thyroid problems.
Can I start hormone therapy during perimenopause?
Yes. Many women start treatment during perimenopause, when symptoms are often most disruptive. Your plan will look different than it would after menopause.
How long do menopause symptoms last?
It varies widely. Hot flashes last about seven years on average and longer for some women. Vaginal dryness and bladder symptoms often continue without treatment.
Is it menopause or my thyroid?
Thyroid problems can cause fatigue, weight change, mood shifts and irregular periods, so they can look a lot like perimenopause. We check thyroid levels as part of your labs.
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