MedHaven Health
Menopause & Perimenopause Care in Glen Burnie, MD
Menopause is a normal life transition, but that does not mean you have to quietly tolerate symptoms that are affecting your sleep, work, relationships or quality of life.
At MedHaven Health, we provide individualized menopause and perimenopause care as part of our women’s health and primary care services in Glen Burnie.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause.
Hormone levels can fluctuate during this period, and periods may become irregular.
The Office on Women’s Health notes that perimenopause commonly begins during the mid-to-late 40s, although individual experiences vary.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is reached after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period when the absence of periods is not caused by another condition.
It is one point in a broader transition rather than a single collection of symptoms.
Symptoms Can Look Different for Every Woman
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Sudden warmth and sweating are among the best-known symptoms.
Sleep Problems
Hot flashes and hormonal changes can interfere with sleep.
Irregular Periods
Cycles may become shorter, longer, heavier, lighter or less predictable during perimenopause.
Vaginal Dryness and Discomfort
Hormonal changes can affect vaginal tissues and contribute to dryness or discomfort during sexual activity.
Urinary Symptoms
Some women experience urinary changes during the menopausal transition.
Mood and Concentration Changes
Some women report mood changes, irritability or difficulty feeling like themselves.
Federal women’s-health guidance recognizes hot flashes, sleep problems, vaginal symptoms, urinary problems and irregular periods among symptoms that may occur during the menopausal transition.
Is Every Symptom Caused by Menopause?
No.
Fatigue, mood changes, weight changes and sleep problems can also occur with:
- Thyroid disease
- Anemia
- Sleep disorders
- Medication effects
- Mental health conditions
- Other medical problems
A thoughtful evaluation helps avoid attributing everything to hormones.
Do I Need Hormone Testing?
Not necessarily.
Hormone levels can fluctuate considerably during perimenopause. The Office on Women’s Health notes that hormone testing is generally not routinely recommended solely to determine whether someone is approaching menopause unless there is a medical reason.
Your history and symptoms may provide more useful information.
Menopause Treatment Options
Treatment depends on which symptoms are bothering you, their severity and your medical history.
Options can include lifestyle approaches, nonhormonal treatments and hormone therapy for appropriate patients.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy can help certain menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal symptoms, but it is not appropriate for everyone.
The decision requires an individualized discussion of symptoms, personal history, potential benefits and potential risks.
Vaginal Symptoms
Options may include nonprescription vaginal moisturizers or lubricants and prescription treatments when appropriate.
When Bleeding Needs Evaluation
Changes in menstrual bleeding can occur during perimenopause, but abnormal bleeding should not simply be ignored.
Importantly, bleeding or spotting after menopause should be evaluated. The Office on Women’s Health specifically advises medical evaluation when bleeding occurs after a woman has gone a year without a period.
Menopause Care That Starts With Listening
There is no single menopause experience.
Some women have minimal symptoms. Others experience significant changes affecting daily life.
Our approach begins by understanding which symptoms matter to you and how they are affecting your health and quality of life.
Menopause Care in Glen Burnie
MedHaven Health provides women’s health and primary care for women throughout Glen Burnie, Severn, Pasadena, Odenton, Millersville, Fort Meade and surrounding Maryland communities.
Schedule your visit online or call 301-501-5779.
Menopause FAQs
Perimenopause is the transition leading to menopause. Menopause is reached after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period when another cause is not responsible.
Usually not solely for that purpose. Hormone levels can fluctuate substantially during the transition.
Yes. Hormonal changes can contribute to urinary and genitourinary symptoms.
No. Treatment can include hormonal and nonhormonal approaches depending on symptoms and medical history.
Yes. Bleeding or spotting after menopause should be medically evaluated.
Some symptoms overlap. Appropriate evaluation can help determine whether another condition may be contributing.
Your Care Team at MedHaven Health
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Oluwakemi "Kemi" Balogun, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner — Medical Director
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Rose Oyugi Okowa, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner
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Florence Alli, FNP-BC, MSN, PMHNP
Family & Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
