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We received an overwhelming number of requests from  our survey to discuss Menopause in our newsletter. In response, we are running a three part series on Menopause over the next three newsletters: Perimenopause, Menopause and Post-Menopause.

 

This month, we will discuss Perimenopause, or "menopause transition" which begins several years (4 years, on average) before Menopause. It usually starts in your 40's but can start as early as your 30's.

 

Perimenopause is the transition period a woman goes through when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether (Menopause).

 

In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. More commonly, it slowly stops over time. During this time, the menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced.

 

Common symptoms of Perimenopause: 

• Hot flashes
• Breast tenderness
• Worsening of premenstrual syndrome
• Decreased libido (sex drive)
• Fatigue
• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
• Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
• Urinary urgency (a pressing need to urinate more frequently)
• Mood swings
• Difficulty sleeping  

Some women experience relief from hot flashes by taking low-dose birth control pills, using the birth control skin patch, vaginal ring, and progesterone injections. But hormones are not right for every woman.

 

Other options that help include Black Cohosh and soy for hot flashes, local estrogen cream for vaginal dryness/painful intercourse, and Vitamin D and Calcium supplementation. Tai Chi can help for both anxiety reduction and better balance and reduce the risk for falling and fracture. To combat irritability and forgetfullness women can incorporate daily mental challenges such as Sodo crossword puzzles etc,

Other health-enhancing options can help improve your symptoms:

Talk to your doctor about your specific symptoms and goals of treatment to help determine the right plan for you.

As our launch of the new "Meet the Staff" section of our newsletter, we are profiling Gail Antonucci, a Medical Technician with The Rubino OB/GYN Group.

 

Gail started in the medical field working at a hospital doing clerical work for 10 years. She started in OB/GYN with Dr. John Comerci, MD over 22 years ago, until Dr. Rubino took over the practice in 1998. Gail enjoyed her job so much, and had such a great rapport with most of the patients, she decided to stay on with Dr. Rubino. Gail felt Dr. Rubino made so many improvements that her job became even more enjoyable.
 

Gail says she "looks at most of the patient's like family, I know their children, their spouses, and other family member's  and have grown so close to so many of the them who have remained with the practice over the years."  Gail also feels she has learned a lot working with Dr. Rubino and really loves to watch the practice grow and flourish with new ideas in modern medicine.
 
Gail is the grandmother of two beautiful granddaughters from her daughter Melissa (Jacqueline who is 22 months & Harlow who is 8 weeks old) and spends as much time with them as possible.  She also enjoys conversation at Starbuck's with her good friend Linda and her husband Jim, or shopping in the mall (one of her many passions).
 
Gail looks forward to working with Dr. Rubino and the staff until she is ready for retirement. Until then she continue to enjoy seeing all the friends she has made from patient's walking through the office doors.