Menopause isn’t easy. Hartford HealthCare’s compassionate specialists can help.
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Menopause happens to every woman, but when it starts and how it feels is different for everyone. That's why our care plans are tailored to your personal needs. It’s important to note that not every woman needs help managing the symptoms of menopause. If you do, we can help with:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, and irritability. Depression strikes about a third of women during menopause and is even more common in women with a history of depression. We can connect you with therapists and prescribe medication when needed.
- Brain fog. You may experience trouble concentrating, making decisions or remembering things. Lifestyle modifications or therapy can help.
- Disrupted sleep. Insomnia or lost sleep after being awakened by a hot flash can leave you exhausted and unable to fully function. Many women experience improved sleep with medication.
- Hot flashes. These come on suddenly and can cause sweating and reddening of the skin, often disrupting your sleep.
- Low interest in sex. This affects about half of women in menopause and can be due to changes in body image or vaginal dryness. Various approaches can help, including pelvic floor physical therapy, lubricants and counseling.
- Urinary incontinence. A variety of approaches can help and we partner with colleagues at the Tallwood Urology & Kidney Institute to find one that works best for you.
- Vaginal dryness. The shift in hormones can affect the moisture levels in your vagina and cause sex to be painful.
- Weight gain. Menopause can shift the body’s fat storage to the abdomen and its impact on your sleep can cause you to eat more. Our team can suggest dietary and exercise changes or refer you to a Hartford HealthCare medical and surgical weight loss specialist if needed. A visit with our nutritionist, guidance from our lifestyle medicine or weight medicine teams, or counseling can help.
Many women manage menopause symptoms with supplements, lifestyle changes, or antidepressants. For others, treating the underlying cause, declining estrogen, may help. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can do this, but because it carries certain health risks, we carefully assess each patient to determine whether it’s appropriate for them.