Menopause Specialist

Barry J Fish, MD Our Services Menopause

Barry J Fish, MD

OBGYN located in Fairlawn, OH

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life, marking the time when her periods stop for good. In the years leading up to this new phase of life, you may experience a variety of menopause-related symptoms that leave you feeling confused and even scared about what’s happening. Dr. Barry Fish and the experienced medical team at his Fairlawn, Ohio, OB/GYN practice offer compassionate care and treatment options for the common symptoms of menopause. Their primary goals are to get you back to feeling like yourself again and improve the quality of your life. You can rely on the knowledgeable medical team to answer your questions on the phone or through the patient portal Book a consultation online or by phone to learn more about relieving the worst of your menopause symptoms.

Menopause Q & A

What is menopause?

Menopause is the phase of a woman’s life where monthly periods stop for at least 12 consecutive months. Once the 12-month point passes, you are considered to be in your postmenopausal years.

During perimenopause, the time leading up to the end of your periods, hormone fluctuations can result in a number of physical and mental symptoms that can range from mild to severe. These symptoms can even disrupt your job and your personal life.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Due to the unpredictable hormone fluctuations going on in your body, you can experience a wide range of symptoms, including:

  • Dry skin
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Thinning hair
  • Irregular periods
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Pain during sex
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Unexpected weight gain

Perimenopause can last from one to 10 years before you finally stop having periods. Symptoms can vary from woman to woman throughout her perimenopausal years. They can affect you in your postmenopausal years.

What are the complications of menopause?

In addition to difficulties dealing with the many symptoms of menopause, you may also be at increased risk for developing certain medical conditions in your menopausal years, including:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Cardiovascular disease

Dr. Fish can assess your chances of developing these conditions through routine screenings and a preventive health care plan.

What treatments are available for menopausal symptoms?

Menopause is a natural phase of your life.  While there is no single treatment for menopause in general, Dr. Fish can offer you effective solutions to help you manage the symptoms interfering with your life.

In many cases, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including birth control and bioidentical hormone prescriptions, can help stabilize the fluctuations of hormones to alleviate a majority of your symptoms, including hot flashes and sleep problems.

If you can’t tolerate hormones, Dr. Fish can recommend nonhormonal therapies and treat your symptoms individually. He may prescribe low-dose antidepressants to control depression and anxiety.

To improve vaginal dryness and painful intercourse, Dr. Fish may recommend using over-the-counter lubricants.

To prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, you may need to take supplements and improve your diet. Dr. Fish can also recommend a routine exercise plan to ensure you remain physically active and healthy.

To find out more about managing menopause and its symptoms, schedule an appointment online or by phone.

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