Menopause

Crozer Health offers an array of programs for women before, during and after menopause. Some services are provided right in your provider’s office, while others are conveniently located at facilities throughout Delaware County. All services are designed to assist women in the transition to menopause, while promoting wellness beyond menopause.

Your Crozer Health provider can answer your questions about menopause, evaluate menstrual period changes and other signs of menopause, confirm menopause, and help you manage troublesome changes.

Menopause Symptoms

When women enter their 40s and 50s, they begin going through the natural biological process of menopause. This time marks the end of menstrual cycles and fertility. Going through menopause doesn’t mean a woman can’t stay healthy and vital, but some struggle with the symptoms.

During the months or years leading to menopause, or perimenopause, a woman may experience:

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood swings
• Weight gain and a slowed metabolism
• Vaginal dryness
• Thinning hair and dry skin
• Loss of breast fullness

The physical symptoms, such as hot flashes, and some of the emotional symptoms of menopause can interrupt your sleep, lower your energy level and, in some cases, cause feelings of anxiety, sadness or loss. These symptoms all stem from the ovaries producing less estrogen.

If you’re experiencing recurring or severe headaches such as migraines, your provider can refer you to a Crozer Health neurologist for evaluation and treatment.

While menopause itself doesn’t require medical treatment, you can treat your symptoms.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

One option is hormone therapy – estrogen therapy is one of the most effective treatments for hot flashes. It may also help prevent bone loss. Your doctor will prescribe you with the lowest dose possible to control your symptoms.

Additionally, your doctor may recommend other treatments such as low-dose antidepressants for hot flashes and mood changes or gabapentin, which has been shown to help reduce hot flashes as well. In addition, your doctor may suggest medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Medications aren’t your only option, though.

Natural Remedies for Menopause Symptoms

For the most part, you can stay healthy, prevent or lessen menopause symptoms and prevent complications by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. Make sure your diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains while limiting your intake of saturated fats, oils and sugars. You may need calcium or vitamin D supplements to meet your daily requirements.

Many women report hot flashes to be one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Try dressing in layers you can take off when a hot flash hits, drinking a cold glass of water or moving to a cooler space. You can also try to figure out what triggers your hot flashes in order to avoid them – common triggers include caffeine, hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, stress, hot weather or a warm room.

It’s important you get enough sleep too. Avoid caffeine, too much alcohol and try to get exercise each day to ensure you get plenty of shuteye.

And, if you’re a smoker, it’s a great time to quit. Along with all the other bad things smoking causes, it may also intensify your hot flashes.

Nutritional and Herbal Supplements

Ask your provider about current research on nutritional and herbal supplements for menopausal women, including calcium supplements, vitamin/mineral supplements, and herbal supplements.

General Fitness

A full range of health and wellness programs, including nutrition counseling, strength and cardiovascular fitness, aquatics, yoga and Pilates, are offered at the Healthplex^® Sports Club. Established in 1996 by Crozer Health, the Healthplex is considered one of the largest and most fully integrated centers of its kind in the United States. You do not need to be a Healthplex member to participate in wellness programs.

Sleep Disorder Evaluation and Treatment

If you’re experiencing a sleep disturbance, your provider can refer you to one of the Crozer Health Sleep Centers. We offer three locations (Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Taylor Hospital, and the Crozer Health Pavilion in Glen Mills) for the multidisciplinary investigation and treatment of sleep problems. All three sites are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

General and Human Sexuality Counseling

If you’re experiencing troublesome emotional changes, such as changes in sexual desire or response, your provider can refer you to one of Crozer Health ’s psychiatrists, who offer general and human sexuality counseling. Crozer Health offers Delaware County's largest staff of board-certified psychiatrists who, because they are physicians, are prepared to deliver comprehensive physical and emotional diagnosis and treatment.

Related Conditions

Cancer Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment

Your provider can refer you for a routine cancer screening at a Crozer Health Imaging Department, or evaluate specific symptoms. Your doctor may refer you to the Fox Chase Crozer Health Cancer Partnership for comprehensive testing and diagnosis. Members of this partnership are:

• The Crozer Regional Cancer Center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center
• Delaware County Regional Cancer Center at Delaware County Memorial Hospital
• Springfield Hospital
• Taylor Hospital

In the unlikely event that you are diagnosed with cancer, these centers can provide comprehensive treatment.

Screening Mammogram and DEXA Scan

Your provider can refer you for a “one-stop,” same-day screening mammogram and DEXA (bone density) scan at The Woman’s Diagnostic Center at Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Women’s Imaging at Springfield Hospital, The Imaging Department at Taylor Hospital (DEXA scan only) or Media Medical Imaging (the outpatient satellite facility for Crozer-Chester Medical Center). The DEXA scan is an important means of detecting osteoporosis as well as determining whether the current mode of therapy is effective. The test takes X-rays of the spine and hip, is painless and produces reliable results. If osteoporosis is diagnosed, your provider can prescribe and monitor an effective medication to increase bone density. You may also be referred to the Healthplex® Sports Club for a specialized wellness program. Screening mammograms are also available at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center Imaging Department.

Comprehensive Bladder Health Evaluation and Management

If you’re experiencing bladder changes such as frequent urination or urine leakage—for example, when exercising or coughing—your provider can evaluate your bladder health and may order tests to rule out temporary causes, such as a urinary tract infection. If further tests are needed, your provider may refer you to the Crozer Health Center for Female Pelvic Medicine, which is staffed by fellowship-trained urogynecologists.

Heart Health

Menopausal women should pay special attention to their hearts. A woman’s risk for heart disease increases after menopause, so it’s important to eat right, exercise, and have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly. Should you think there is a problem, your doctor can refer you to a Crozer Health cardiologist for care.

Health Insurance and Payment

Please remember that fees for some services provided through the CKHS Menopause Center may be covered or reimbursed under your health insurance program, while others will require out-of-pocket payment. Please check with your health insurance provider before scheduling services.