Midlife can be full of possibilities. But as you head toward menopause, it’s also a time of transition for your body.
You may notice that your periods are more irregular, and you have symptoms like hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings, low libido, and weight gain.
It can feel as if your body is suddenly following a new playbook that you haven't been given.
Many people find it helpful to see a doctor with special training in menopause and perimenopause. At UPMC Magee-Womens, many providers are Menopause Society Certified Practitioners (MSCP) through the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
NAMS is the nation’s leading menopause organization. The NAMS MSCP certification means the provider has passed a rigorous examination and is committed to continuing education.
We can help you maximize your health and safeguard your well-being as you navigate the midlife years.
Women’s midlife health deals with the issues and symptoms people have as they approach menopause.
People have different definitions for when midlife starts. Is it a chronological age or a stage of life?
We think of it as a stage more than an age — although age is still a guide.
For example, the average age for menopause is 51. Most women will go through menopause between age 45 and 55.
At UPMC Magee-Womens, we focus on the health concerns of women who are 35 and older because perimenopause can start a full 10 years before menopause. By the time you’re in your late 30s, you might start noticing perimenopause symptoms.
Doctors define menopause as going 12 months without a period. (If you get a period, the count starts over.)
But the signs that your body is heading in that direction can start 10 years before menopause, during a period of transition called perimenopause.
Signs and symptoms of perimenopause include:
We see midlife women for a variety of reasons.
Our providers treat many conditions in the office. We're also a good place to start if you're having a range of symptoms and aren't sure where to go.
Conditions we might see include:
We offer the following services:
You can see one of our menopause specialists to ask questions and receive guidance on issues and symptoms.
We can prescribe medicine, including birth control and different types of hormone therapy.
Some people see us a few times and then go back to their regular doctor. We can coordinate care with your doctor if needed.
As you age, it’s important to stay up-to-date with your screenings.
We can help you coordinate:
You may experience many different issues in midlife, and these issues are often connected. When your body starts making less estrogen, it can affect different areas. Age itself is also a risk factor for certain conditions.
We can connect you with:
Among our teams across Pennsylvania are physicians and advanced practitioners credentialed as Menopause Society Certified Practitioners through the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-09-05 by Bridget Firth Berich, DO.
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