I am 40 years old and am having irregular periods and hot flashes. Is this menopause and how long will these symptoms last?

 The average age of menopause in the United States is 52. The classic definition of menopause is one year without any periods, however, symptoms can occur much earlier. The classic symptom of menopause is the hot flush or flash. Problems that arise because of decreased estrogens at menopause are significant. The most worrisome is an increase in coronary heart disease and stroke, but there are other significant problems such as osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), urinary bladder and pelvic support problems, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. We know that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can markedly reduce or eliminate many of these problems. HRT using Estrogens and Progestins has some health risks and there are many options for therapy. The patient must understand the risks of HRT compared to the benefits before initiating therapy. For more information on HRT, risks, benefits and alternatives, you may schedule a consultation at our office.