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Menopause Specialist

Jose Medrano, MD Our Services Menopause

Jose Medrano, MD

OBGYN located in Burbank, CA

Menopause is a natural occurrence, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with some very unpleasant symptoms. At his practice in Burbank, CA, Dr. Jose Medrano helps women navigate menopause and relieve both mild and severe symptoms so they can enjoy a better quality of life as they get older.

Menopause Q & A

What causes menopause?

Menopause occurs when a woman’s natural production of sex hormones estrogen and progesterone tapers off as she gets older. In most cases, menopause begins during a woman’s 40s, with periods ending in the early to mid-50s. Although the term “menopause” is often used to describe the entire range of symptoms that occur prior to cessation of menstruation, the term really refers to the time when a woman has completely stopped having her periods for 12 consecutive months. The time leading up to that point is more correctly referred to as perimenopause or premenopause.

What symptoms are caused by menopause?

Menopause (or perimenopause) can cause an array of symptoms, including:

  • abnormal periods, including irregular or “skipped” periods and spotting between periods
  • very heavy periods (menorrhagia)
  • moodiness, including irritability and depression or sadness
  • problems with sleep
  • hot flashes and night sweats
  • tender or itchy nipples
  • vaginal dryness
  • loss of interest in sex
  • excess hair growth on the face
  • hair thinning or hair loss

Symptoms can vary in their severity, and not all women will have all these symptoms. Some women have very few symptoms during the time leading up to menopause, while others can experience very severe symptoms that can interfere with daily living.

What is menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia refers to very heavy periods - so heavy, they can be difficult to manage with tampons or pads alone. Women with menorrhagia must change pads very often - sometimes every hour or so, even during sleep. Heavy periods are often associated with fatigue or feelings of weakness or lightheadedness. About one in every 20 women has menorrhagia during perimenopause. The condition can be treated with minimally-invasive procedures or hormone replacement therapy.

What menopause treatments are available?

Although menopause is a natural occurrence for women, the symptoms associated with the decline in hormones can be disruptive and unpleasant. Fortunately, there are treatments available to address specific symptoms, like vaginal dryness, mood “swings,” sleep issues and heavy periods. Hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical hormones is also very effective in treating the complete array of menopause-related symptoms, helping women relieve many symptoms so they can enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, MonaLisa Touch has been very effective in treating menopausal conditions.