Menopause
At Dela, we help women navigate menopause with confidence, offering personalized solutions for symptom relief and long-term well-being.
What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural transition marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years, women officially enter phase when they have gone 12 consecutive months without having menses. Studies show that the average age of menopause occurs around age 51. This shift is a result of declining estrogen and progesterone levels, and while it’s a normal part of aging, the symptoms and emotional impact can vary greatly from person to person.
Common Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight changes, brain fog, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can begin during
perimenopause and continue well into postmenopause. For some women, these changes are mild; for others, they can be disruptive to everyday life and emotional wellbeing.
Stages Of Menopause
Perimenopause: (typically ages 40-45)
This phase can start several years before menopause. Women may experience irregular periods, hormonal fluctuations, mood swings, and symptoms like hot flashes or fatigue. Fertility declines but pregnancy is still possible.
Menopause: (typically ages 45–50)
This stage is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 months without a period. Symptoms may intensify during this time as hormone levels drop more significantly.
Postmenopause: (typically age 50 +)
After menopause, many symptoms may improve, but some, such as vaginal dryness or bone density changes, can persist. This is also the time when risks for conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis increase due to lower estrogen levels.
How Dela Can Help
The most effective way to manage menopausal symptoms is through a method called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). While HRT is starting to become more accessible, it can come in many different forms. At Dela, our providers are committed to assessing each patient’s individual needs to ensure they are getting the treatment that is best for them. The key to this is giving you adequate time in our initial consultation to fully express and discuss all the symptoms you are experiencing.
Dela’s Menopause Initial Consultation
is a one on-one 45 minute appointment and will consist of the following:
- Creating your personalized HRT plan
- General physical examination
- Mental health screening and discussion
- Education on Menopause management
- Full blood panel review (blood draw prior to appointment)
- Nutrition and weight loss
- Thyroid health assessment
- Pelvic floor assessment
After this initial consultation, Dela will partner with you and create a treatment plan to manage your menopausal symptoms and help you move forward feeling like your best self. The most common approach to HRT involves recurring appointments with your provider to regularly monitor your treatment plan and its effectiveness. This will often include more frequent visits for the first several months, but eventually may only require blood work to be done once a year, with prescriptions being filled every few months.
Dela is here to help you take control of your menopause journey.