Healthcare during menopause helps to assess the symptoms caused by hormonal changes, a woman’s overall state of health and any treatment and prevention she needs individually.
The clinic offers obstetrician-gynaecologist consultations, gynaecological ultrasound and other gynaecological tests needed in your individual situation.
On the doctor’s recommendation, hormone and other laboratory tests needed to assess your health can be done at the clinic.
If needed, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist and other Baltic American Clinic specialists can be involved in assessing your health.
Consultations, diagnostics, an individual treatment plan and further health monitoring can be organised at one clinic.
When does menopause start?
Menopause is diagnosed when you have had no periods for 12 months in a row and there is no other reason for this. However, the hormonal changes and symptoms associated with menopause can start much earlier – this transition period is called perimenopause.
During this time the menstrual cycle may become irregular, and various physical and emotional changes may appear.
Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, but you do not have to simply put up with its symptoms. If they affect your sleep, work, daily activities, sex life or general wellbeing, it is worth seeing a doctor.
When should you see a doctor?
A consultation with a doctor is recommended if:
- your periods have become irregular;
- you have hot flushes or heavy night sweats;
- your sleep has got worse;
- you notice marked changes in mood or emotional wellbeing;
- you have vaginal dryness, burning or discomfort;
- sexual intercourse has become painful;
- your sex drive has decreased;
- you urinate more often or urination is painful;
- you notice other new symptoms that have appeared during perimenopause or menopause;
- you want to have your health assessed and discuss further prevention.
It is important not to put every new symptom down to menopause automatically. Some symptoms may be related to other health conditions, so the doctor first assesses the overall clinical situation.
What happens during the consultation?
During the consultation the obstetrician-gynaecologist discusses changes in your menstrual cycle, the symptoms you have, previous illnesses, medicines you take and other information relevant to your health.
Depending on your individual situation, the doctor decides which tests are needed and whether consultations with other specialists would be useful.
If you have results of earlier gynaecological, laboratory or other tests, it is worth having them with you at the consultation.
Which tests may be needed?
There is no single set of tests for all women during menopause. The doctor decides individually which tests are needed based on your age, symptoms, medical history and identified risk factors.
Depending on the individual situation, the following may be needed:
- Gynaecological ultrasound
- Laboratory tests
- Cervical tests
- Breast examination
- Other tests needed according to your state of health
If other health problems or risk factors are found, the doctor may recommend a consultation with a specialist in the relevant field.
Menopause and bleeding
During perimenopause the menstrual cycle often becomes irregular, but not every episode of bleeding should automatically be considered a normal sign of hormonal changes.
If vaginal bleeding appears again after 12 months without periods, you should see a doctor to find out its cause.
A doctor’s consultation is also needed if the bleeding is unusually heavy, prolonged or otherwise concerning.
Menopause and intimate health
As oestrogen levels fall, the tissues of the vagina and external genitals can change. This may cause dryness, sensitivity, burning, discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse.
These symptoms should not be seen as an inevitable part of menopause that you simply have to accept. The doctor can assess the cause of the symptoms and recommend suitable treatment for your individual situation.
Menopause and long-term health
During menopause it is important to assess not only the symptoms you have at the time but also your overall health.
With age and hormonal changes, factors important for bone, cardiovascular and metabolic health change. So after assessing your individual situation, the doctor may recommend additional tests, preventive measures or consultations with other specialists.
At Baltic American Clinic you can, if needed, continue investigations with an endocrinologist, a cardiologist and other specialists.
Treatment of menopause symptoms
Treatment of menopause symptoms is not the same for all women. It depends on the type and intensity of the symptoms, the woman’s age, state of health, medical history, medicines she takes and other individual factors.
After assessing your situation, the doctor discusses suitable options for controlling and treating the symptoms and decides whether additional tests are needed before treatment is prescribed.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell that perimenopause has started?
One of the first signs may be changes in the menstrual cycle. Hot flushes, night sweats, changes in sleep or mood and other symptoms may also appear. However, similar symptoms can be caused by other conditions, so if in doubt it is worth consulting a doctor.
Are hormone tests always needed to diagnose menopause?
No. The assessment of menopause or perimenopause depends on the woman’s age, menstrual history, symptoms and individual situation. The doctor decides whether laboratory tests are needed.
Do I need to see a gynaecologist during menopause if I have no symptoms?
Menopause does not remove the need for preventive women’s healthcare. Even if you have no menopause symptoms, it is important to continue the health checks recommended for your age and individual risk.
Is bleeding after menopause normal?
Bleeding that appears after 12 months without periods should be assessed by a doctor. It should not automatically be considered a usual sign of menopause.
Do menopause symptoms have to be treated?
Not every woman needs treatment. If the symptoms are mild and do not interfere with daily life, treatment may not be needed. If the symptoms significantly affect your wellbeing or quality of life, it is worth discussing suitable ways of managing them with a doctor.
Can hormonal medicines be used during menopause?
Whether hormone therapy is suitable is assessed individually. The doctor decides after assessing the symptoms, the woman’s state of health, medical history, possible risks and other individual factors.
Which doctor should I start with if I have menopause symptoms?
For changes in the menstrual cycle, hot flushes, intimate health symptoms or other changes possibly related to perimenopause and menopause, you can start with a consultation with an obstetrician-gynaecologist. If needed, the doctor will recommend additional tests or a consultation with another specialist.
Price of services
The price of the obstetrician-gynaecologist consultation and of the tests needed in your individual situation is set by the Baltic American Clinic price list in force at the time.
Additional laboratory, ultrasound or other tests and consultations with other specialists, if needed, are charged according to the services actually provided and the Baltic American Clinic price list in force.