Menopause

Women transitioning to menopause experience hormone fluctuations that increase the risk of mental health conditions. In fact, more than one-third of menopausal women develop depression. At Broderick Healthcare in North Reading, Massachusetts, board-certified family nurse practitioner Kathleen Broderick Logan, FNP, offers treatment for mental-health-related menopause symptoms. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking a mental health evaluation online today.

What is menopause?

Menopause is a life stage among women in which they stop menstruating naturally and haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months. The average age at which this occurs is 52 in the United States.

Menopause is a natural process, though it often brings with it unpleasant physical or mental health challenges. Seeking treatment at Broderick Healthcare for menopause symptoms can offer relief. It can help you feel and look younger, become happier, and experience less stress and anxiety during the transitional period to menopause and beyond.

Which symptoms can menopause cause?

Menopause can cause the following symptoms and more:

• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Grief
• Brain fog
• Low sex drive
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain with intercourse
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair
• Skin changes
• Low bone density
• Reduced muscle mass
• Increased body fat

The combination of hormone fluctuations and physical changes that often accompany menopause may contribute to mental-health-related menopause symptoms.

How are menopause-related mental health concerns diagnosed?

Kathleen visits with you to determine which physical or mental health conditions you may struggle with. She checks your vital signs, completes a physical exam, reviews your medical history and medications, and completes a mental health evaluation by asking about your emotions, moods, thoughts, and behaviors. She will personalize a plan that maximizes relief.

• Healthy lifestyle adjustments
• Dietary supplements
• Medications
• Hormone therapy
• Vitamin injections
• Medical weight loss
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Other forms of therapy

It’s helpful to eat nutritious foods, stay active, get 7-9 hours of sleep, and minimize stress with time spent outdoors, yoga, tai chi, meditation, massage, acupuncture, or similar strategies.

Follow up with Kathleen for therapy, medication management, or to simply check in to see how treatment is going. She can make adjustments to your menopause treatment plan whenever needed to ensure lasting symptom relief with enhanced mental and emotional health outcomes. Contact Broderick Healthcare anytime with questions throughout your journey.

Schedule a menopause evaluation at Broderick Healthcare by calling the office or requesting a visit with Kathleen online today.