Natural menopause is defined by not having a period for a year or more, accompanied by a decrease in your estrogen and progesterone levels. Menopause is a normal, natural event — not a disease.
For some women, treatment may help ease menopause symptoms that could affect quality of life. It's an opportunity to reassess your health and your health goals to create optimal wellness.
Common Signs of Menopause
Many women experience menopause around the age of 51 or 52, and each woman will experience menopause differently. Your symptoms may range from mild to more severe and could last several months to up to 10 years.
- Breast tenderness
- Decreased libido
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Disrupted sleep
- Hair loss
- Hot flashes
- Irregular periods
- Irritability and mood swings
- Memory concerns and/or difficulty concentrating
- Migraines
- Night sweats
- Osteopenia or osteoporosis
- Painful intercourse
- Urinary incontinence
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
Menopause Treatment at Rush
The goal of menopause treatment is to reduce bothersome symptoms and help ensure a healthy menopausal transition. Rush offers many treatment options based on your symptoms, health history and personal preferences.
Your menopause treatment could include one or more of the following:
- Bioidentical hormone therapy
- Heart and bone health monitoring and medications
- Hormone therapy
- Mental health support
- Non-hormonal medications
- Sleep therapy
- Supplements
- Vaginal Laser Treatment (MonaLisa Touch)
- Weight-loss management
Meet our menopause providers
Rush Excellence in Menopause Care
- Nationally ranked for gynecologic care: U.S. News & World Report ranks Rush University Medical Center's gynecology program among the best in the nation.
- Holistic approach to your care: Rush offers a holistic care approach to menopause care — treating you as a complete person instead of a series of symptoms. Our care starts with a full health screening to see how other conditions may affect you during menopause. By offering comprehensive care for your lifestyle, we'll help you navigate this transition in the most healthy and comfortable way possible.
- Expert hormone therapy treatment: As hormone treatments continue to rise in popularity, particularly for menopause care, it's important to choose health providers with expertise. At Rush University Medical Center, we have NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioners who completed additional training to administer midlife care. This certification also includes continuing education on the latest hormone treatments. Our providers only use hormone treatments proven to be effective for your overall health, lifestyle and symptoms.
- Patient education is our priority: Our team of providers regularly participates in educational activities to increase menopause understanding for both other health care providers and patients. We want you to understand how menopause affects your body and play an active role in reaching your optimal health and wellness during this transition.
- Caring for you mind and body: At Rush University Medical Center, we specialize in treating women's mental health during your midlife years. We’ll create a treatment plan to help manage the social and emotional changes that can occur during menopause.
- Dedicated heart care for menopausal patients: The Rush Heart Center for Women — the first heart program in Chicago devoted exclusively to women — understands how menopause can impact heart health. The center partners with your provider to develop a treatment plan, based on your family history and other risk factors, to keep your heart healthy during menopause and beyond.
- Research-driven for the most effective treatment: Rush University Medical Center providers participate in menopause-related research to help increase our understanding of the condition and ensure our patients receive the most up-to-date treatments. For example, Rush participated in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) which studied U.S. women from different cities and cultures as they experienced menopause. This study reinforced the importance of diet and lifestyle as an effective lifestyle treatment.
- Improving intimacy: We know that menopause symptoms can affect many aspects of your life — including your sex life. That’s why Rush offers many treatment options for vaginal dryness and pain during sex, including a new vaginal laser treatment (MonaLisa Touch) that is nonhormonal and noninvasive.