Feeling stiff or achy when you get up in the morning or after sitting for an extended period of time? Do you have sore knees? Tight hips? Achy fingers? Back pain? Joint pain is one of those symptoms that can make you feel old overnight, and unfortunately it strikes more than half of women during menopause. In fact, a study of more than 100,000 middle-aged female veterans found that going through menopause raised their risk of experiencing chronic pain by 85 percent. But you don’t have to suffer and feel older than you are. There are a variety of ways to get relief from menopausal joint pain.
Though the precise cause-and-effect of menopause and joint pain hasn’t yet been established, there’s evidence that there is one. Pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints is often a signal of osteoarthritis (OA), the wearing down of protective tissue between bones. Since OA disproportionately affects women in menopause, it is likely that hormone changes may contribute to arthritis symptoms. Beyond hormones, carrying excess weight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, dehydration, poor diet, smoking and stress can all trigger or worsen joint pain.
Because estrogen is a natural anti-inflammatory, one possibility is that when it dips and ebbs, inflammation can occur more easily. Plus, estrogen regulates fluid levels throughout the body, so just as your skin is drier and less elastic, the tissue of your joints may be, too. Another theory is that estrogen reduces pain perception so when levels decline, you’re more sensitive to pain.
Unlike many signs of menopause, joint pain may not diminish when hormones level out after menopause. But there are many lifestyle changes that can help ease the pain and prevent it from getting worse.
Fill up on anti-inflammatory foods. Some foods tamp down inflammation while others spur it on. For the right balance, eat more of these inflammation fighters: berries, broccoli, avocado, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, citrus fruits, cherries, fatty fish like salmon, olive oil, nuts, dark chocolate (in moderation), olive oil, green tea, turmeric, and ginger. And avoid foods that contribute to inflammation such as refined carbs like white bread and cake, fried foods, red meat and processed meats like hot dogs, soda and other sugary beverages, and foods with trans fatty acids like margarine.
Get some exercise. Regular movement keeps joints lubricated so they flex and extend more easily and with less pain. Low-impact activities like yoga, walking, swimming, and cycling are gentler on the joints than high-impact sports like running.
Keep tabs on your weight Excess weight puts stress on your joints as you move, so losing even a few pounds (weight loss is tough during the menopause transition) can mean exponential relief for weight bearing joints like hips and knees.
Lift some weights. Strengthening the supporting muscles around a joint provide stability. When joints are stable, they function better, and you have less risk of damage or an injury.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to keep tissues moist and supple. In menopause, your body doesn’t retain water as well as it used to, so it’s important to replace the lost moisture. Water”not sports drinks, sodas, or coffee”is your best choice. If you need variety, add a few pieces of fruit for flavor.
Build in stretch breaks. Too much sitting? Too much computer time? At regular intervals, for instance every 20 or 30 minutes, stop what you’re doing and move. On a computer, stretch your forearms, do some wrist circles, or squeeze a soft ball. Get up from your desk and march in place and then stretch your legs and hips. The motion will help to keep your joint lubricated and minimize stiffness and pain.
Strengthen your core. Your body is one long chain of joints and muscles, and weakness at one part affects others. When the core muscles in your abdomen, back, hips, and buttocks are strong, it can help to take pressure off your knees and ankles.
Destress. We know, we probably sound like a broken record, but when it comes to joint pain, stress is especially problematic. Stress raises cortisol levels, and cortisol can cause additional inflammation in joints. Do what you can to keep stress in check. If stressed, consider taking a walk “ in nature is best for a triple crown of stress- and joint-pain relief: nature, time away, and moderate exercise.
Consider supplements. Magnesium may help. According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Magnesium strengthens bones; maintains nerve and muscle function; regulates heart rhythm and blood sugar levels; and helps maintain joint cartilage.” Other good options are glucosamine and chondroitin.
Apply ice and/or heat. Which you choose may be a personal preference. Generally, ice helps when there’s obvious inflammation (swelling, redness). It may also ease achiness after exercise, or you might simply find that it numbs your pain anytime. Heat loosens muscles, enhances flexibility, and increases circulation. For these reasons, heat (heating pad, warm shower, paraffin wax) may be helpful when used before exercise. Apply either for no more than 20 minutes at a time, and protect your skin by having something like a thin towel between your body and the ice pack or heating pad.
Rub on relief. Topical pain relievers like Arnicare and Biofreeze can tame the pain. In addition, simply touching and massaging the area, even with regular lotion, may help desensitize you to the pain.
If you’re not getting relief, the pain worsens, or you have other symptoms such as swelling, redness, rashes, fever, fatigue, dry eyes and mouth, or painful urination, you should see your doctor. There are other causes of joint pain that can be more serious than a drop in estrogen, such as Lupus, Lyme disease, gout, septic arthritis, gonococcal arthritis, thyroid problems, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA and Lupus are autoimmune disorders that affect women more than men; they differ from OA, which is more closely related to aging and wear).
The Facts About Menopausal Arthritis and Movement
Getting to the Bottom of Knee Pain in Women
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev’s telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.
One of the benefits of menopause (yes, there are some!) is less underarm and leg hair. If you remember, hair growth in these areas started in puberty because of hormones. As those hormones decline, hair growth slows, well, sort of. Unfortunately, this is also the time when coarse, dark hairs may start popping up on your upper lip, chin, or jaw line. For some women, this may feel like a final blow to their femininity and create a lot of anxiety and embarrassment, which is completely understandable. If these unwelcome follicles are making you feel self-conscious, there are a variety of ways to deal with them.
There are two kinds of facial hair. Vellus hair is that short, soft, nearly not-there hair that children and women have. Terminal hair is longer, darker, thicker, and generally found on men’s faces.
Estrogen keeps hair finer, softer, and lighter. Coarser, darker, thicker hair is the result of testosterone. In perimenopause and menopause, estrogen diminishes, but women’s testosterone levels may not. The higher ratio of testosterone to estrogen can cause these annoying outcroppings of male-like hairs to sprout.
“Nothing” is a totally legitimate choice here. There’s nothing dangerous about a few extra chin hairs. But if they bother you, there are ways to get rid of menopausal facial hair, or at least minimize its appearance so you feel more comfortable and confident with your appearance.
Ditch the magnifying mirror. Most of the time, the facial hair that seems so obvious to you isn’t to others. If you’re using a magnifying mirror to apply makeup or get our contact lenses in, it may be making the hairs look worse to you. Use a regular mirror and honestly assess the situation. You might even want to ask a trustworthy friend for her opinion. This can help you decide how much time, effort, and money you want to invest in a remedy.
Pull “em out. If you only have a few, grab a tweezer and pull them out. For more hair, waxing or threading may be more practical solutions. Threading uses thin, doubled thread pulled tight and rolled over the face to remove hairs. Both options should be done by an expert to prevent ingrown hairs. And contrary to any tales you may have heard, tweezing via any method will not cause hair to grow back darker or coarser.
Shave it off. You may balk a little at the idea of shaving your face, but it’s a cheap, effective remedy. Plan on shaving in or just after a shower when hair is softer and use a sharp razor to prevent rashes or ingrown hairs. While hair will grow back more quickly than when you tweeze it, it won’t grow back darker or coarser.
Try creams. Depilatory creams have come a long way from the “Who wears short, short?” days. While they are gentler and smell better, some women are sensitive to the chemicals that break down the hair. Always do a small patch test somewhere else on your body to check for any reaction. Prescription topical treatments like Vaniqa may also help.
Laser them away. The beams of light overheat the follicle, damaging it so hair can no longer grow. The results are permanent, but it is expensive (several hundred dollars per session depending on where you live and the amount you want done), and it may require multiple sessions. Also, it doesn’t work on fine or light-colored hair
Zap it. Like using tweezers, electrolysis targets hairs one at a time. A thin probe goes directly into the hair follicle, and a low-level electrical current heats the follicle to the point of destruction. The zap can hurt or even scar a little. Because it’s a one-at-a-time deal, it can take up to 18 months of treatments to get the results you want. It is permanent, though, and it can work on any color hair.
Facial hair growth by itself isn’t a danger, however in some cases, it can signal a more serious problem like polycystic ovary syndrome or adrenal gland issues. If hair is growing on other areas of the body where it normally only grows on men, or it is excessive, you should check with your doctor.
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev’s telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.
One part of your body that probably isn’t slowing down as you approach menopause is your bladder. You may be noticing an increase in the number of times you have to pee each day, and many of those trips to the bathroom may be pretty urgent. Unfortunately, overactive bladder and urinary incontinence increase as you get older. According to new research published in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), about one in five women ages 50 to 54 experience these unpleasant conditions. The study included more than 12,000 women, ages 27 to 82.
An overactive bladder generally refers to an urgent and frequent need to urinate. When you experience urine leakage before you can get to the bathroom, that is urge incontinence. The more common type of incontinence is stress incontinence which occurs due to physical pressure. It’s when you leak a little (or a lot) of urine when you laugh, sneeze, or cough, or when you’re exercising or having sex.
Estrogen affects just about every system in your body, including your urinary system. With less estrogen, your bladder that holds urine and your urethra, the tube that carries urine out of your body, weaken, which affects your ability to control your urinary function. Your bladder also loses volume and elasticity as you age which can contribute to problems.
Other contributors to bladder problems may include:
Since bladder problems can be embarrassing, impact your lifestyle, and worsen with age, the sooner you take action the more relaxed and happier you’ll be. Here are six ways to minimize bathroom visits and leakage.
Drink up. It may seem counterintuitive, but your urinary system”along with the rest of your body”functions best when it’s well hydrated. Restricting fluids cause urine to become very concentrated, which irritates the bladder. It also conditions your bladder to hold smaller amounts of urine, meaning more potty breaks throughout the day. Instead, aim to drink about half of your body weight in ounces a day. If you’re not getting enough fluids, gradually increase the amount you’re drinking by sipping small quantities throughout the day. Dehydration can worsen other menopause symptoms, too, so as you rehydrate you may notice other improvements. If you’re drinking excessive amounts of fluid, you may need to cut back on your intake.
Exercise your pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor is a sling of muscles that stretch from your pubic bone to your tail bone and out to the sides to support your bladder, intestines, and uterus. These muscles are responsible for controlling urination, but hormone changes during menopause can weaken them. Other contributing factors include childbirth, surgery, persistent coughing, and chronic constipation. To strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and regain more control of your bladder, perform Kegel exercises by contracting and releasing the muscles around your vagina and anus. Imagine that you’re trying to stop the flow of urine or trying to avoid passing gas. Aim to do three sets of 10 Kegels daily. If you’re unsure if you’re doing Kegels right, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic health can help. There are also devices like elvie kegels that provide feedback to assist you in engaging the correct muscles in the right way.
Avoid diuretics. Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and soda act like diuretics, increasing urine production, so you must pee more frequently. Caffeine also irritates the bladder, which results in contractions that will send you to the bathroom, typically within five to 45 minutes of consuming caffeinated beverages. Cut back or eliminate these beverages from your diet.
Watch out for other bladder irritants. In addition to caffeine, other beverages and foods that can aggravate urinary problems include alcohol, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, citrus, tomatoes, tomato-based dishes, and spicy foods. Try eliminating these irritants and see if your symptoms improve. Not all foods affect everyone, so you can try reintroducing foods one at a time to see which ones affect you the most.
Get more fiber. Too little fiber in your diet can cause constipation, which puts more pressure on your bladder. Aim to get about 25 grams of fiber a day by eating more vegetables, beans, and fruits. Some good sources include oatmeal, oat cereals, barley, beans, nuts, lentils, peas, apples, blueberries, oranges, Brussel sprouts, and sweet potatoes. Fiber also helps by filling you up with fewer calories to make it easier to keep your weight under control.
Schedule bathroom visits. Start by going every two hours whether or not you have to go. This regularity can help prevent sudden urges. Once you see improvement, gradually increase the amount of time between bathroom visits. This will retrain your bladder to hold more urine.
If frequent urination or leaks are interrupting your life, talk to your doctor. There are medications, hormones, biofeedback, devices, and as a last resort, surgery that can help. Physical therapists who specialize in pelvic floor issues can help you to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and retrain your bladder.
If you’re taking medications like antidepressants or have other health problems like diabetes, your doctor can help determine if any of these factors are contributing to your bladder issues.
You’ll also want to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
It could be the sign of an infection or something more serious.
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev’s telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.
If you are among the many women who are taking the “grin-and-bear-it” approach to managing your menopause symptoms, you may be suffering needlessly. We know that menopause can feel down right daunting, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
We recently spoke to a few of Gennev’s physicians (who are menopause specialists) for their responses to common questions and concerns that women raise within their practices. You’ll notice much of their advice points back to “speaking with your doctor.” That’s because menopause is a very individual experience, and as such, there is no one-size-fits-all remedy or treatment. Having a comprehensive discussion with a menopause specialist about the symptoms you are experiencing can help uncover the treatments and therapies that will help you find relief, and start thriving again at this stage of life.
Here are 6 tips for managing symptoms as shared by Gennev physicians who are menopause specialists.
“That may mean hormone therapy for some who have bad night time flashes,” says Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su. “For others we often recommend cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.” Cognitive behavioral therapy is a style of therapy that identifies negative behaviors, and works to manage them in a more effective way. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia specifically tracks behaviors around sleep, such as when you go to bed, what you do when you wake in the middle of the night, what things you include in your bedtime ritual, as well as what you do when you wake in the morning. Ultimately the therapy will work to adjust those habits to improve your sleep.
Be careful about turning to sleep aids. “Sleeping pills are a temporary aid, and generally not the long-term solution,” says Dr. Dunsmoor-Su. Instead, try working with a Gennev Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to optimize your wellness (nutrition, movement, mindfulness) and identify lifestyle modifications (such as a new sleep ritual) that will support better sleep.
Painful sex can be a real problem with perimenopause and menopause. While there are a number of causes (including acute conditions, which require a physical exam to diagnose), much of midlife pain with sex is due to declining estrogen levels resulting in vulva and vaginal changes. The tissues become dry, thin and fragile over time. Dr. Lisa Savage shared, “This condition is called genitourinary syndrome of menopause or GSM. It is generally progressive; meaning, it gets worse over time. This dry, fragile tissue is inelastic and prone to infection and injury. Pain with penetration can be prohibitive not only because of the tissue condition, but also because of the development of vaginismus, which is an anticipatory, involuntary muscle contraction. Vaginismus makes penetration even more painful, thus a vicious cycle happens.”
While using lube for painful sex is critical and recommended, treating the cause and not just the symptoms is important. “To restore and maintain the tissue integrity, a menopause specialist will recommend systemic or vaginal estrogen,” shares Dr. Savage. “Plenty of patients need both, but in some cases, just one or the other is sufficient. Vaginal estrogen is not absorbed to any significant degree, so it is safe in almost everyone and can be used indefinitely.”
Even with estrogen therapy, lube is usually needed. Silicone-based lubricants tend to work better in mid-life, but couples should try out different kinds and find out what works best for them. And sometimes, a multi-pronged approach, including vaginal estrogen, lubricant and pelvic floor therapy may be necessary to fully restore a woman’s sexual function and enjoyment.
“On the enjoyment note, many women present with a primary complaint of low desire/low interest and when questioned further, they have pain,” shares Dr. Savage. “So, I ask ‘Who would be interested in something that is painful? Our first priority when exploring a complaint of diminished interest in sex is acknowledging and treating pain. Only then can the rest of the multiple facets of desire be assessed and addressed.'”
“If you have pain with sex, don’t accept it as a new normal. Don’t grit your teeth and power through, sacrificing your own enjoyment,” says Dr. Savage. “Don’t minimize its effect on your interest in sex and don’t hesitate to get help. In almost all cases, it can be entirely remedied. Your sex life is important, and it can be better than ever in mid-life, so reclaim it.”
We all know how annoying it is to wake up in the middle of the night to urinate. It can be difficult to fall asleep again after a trip to the bathroom. According to Dr. Carol Russell, “To decrease the chances this will happen, try to limit your fluid intake at least 2 hours before going to bed. Do not have any caffeinated beverages 2-3 hours before bed as caffeine is irritating to the bladder and can cause an urge to void, even when your bladder is not really that full. Also, be sure to empty your bladder right before you lie down to sleep.”
It’s time to see your doctor when frequent urination (and possibly bladder leaks) is impacting your sleep and your life. They will rule out any underlying conditions that may be a factor (like diabetes), and can recommend medications, hormones, biofeedback, or devices that may prove helpful. They may even suggest you visit with a pelvic floor specialist to help strengthen muscles and retrain your bladder.
If you are post-menopausal (a year or more has passed since your last menstrual period), seeing blood can be scary. According to Cleveland Clinic, bleeding could be a symptom of vaginal dryness, polyps (noncancerous growths) or other changes in your reproductive system. In about 10% of women, bleeding after menopause is a sign of uterine cancer.
“Bleeding post menopause always requires a visit with your doctor to create a personal plan,” says Dr. Leasa Lowy. “We bleed for lots of reasons that are not scary but require some management. However, most importantly we want to make sure it is not an issue that needs more in-depth exploring such as cancer.” So, if you bleed post menopause, it is very important to connect with you doctor.
Supplements can be a great, and necessary, part of a woman’s life. But which ones should you take? And where should you get them? Dr. Wendy Ellis shared, “There are some nutrients, like vitamin D, which should be taken by all women as they approach menopause. Other nutrients, like B vitamins or CoQ10 as may be diminished by medications we take (birth control pills, statin medications, etc.). We may also take supplements if we are feeling under the weather and want to kick our immune systems into gear (think Vitamin C or zinc).”
Whether to take them or not is determined by where you live (think vitamin D in colder climates / northern latitudes), your age, and your medical history. Supplements can be an amazing addition to lifestyle choices for optimal health, but we can also take too many supplements as or take supplements that might interfere with our medications as so it’s important to check in with your doctor to determine what’s right for you.
How do you know of your supplement is good quality? Dr. Ellis tells us, “To determine if a product is a good one as you can look for the cGMP stamp. This is a certification of good manufacturing policy as which means that a third party has tested the product and ensures its quality and content is as listed on the label.”
To help you feel your best, don’t discount how much making some meaningful lifestyle changes can help. Things like drinking more water to help combat fatigue, dry skin and dry eyes, as well as headaches, and taking a 15 minute walk every day to help lower stress and lift your mood are small changes that can make a big difference. “Adopting a healthy diet, getting adequate exercise each day, and maintaining social connections can go a long way towards feeling your best,” says Dr. Savage. If you need some help adopting a healthier lifestyle, Gennev RDNs will create a personalized wellness plan for you to help with nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and provide some support and a level of accountability along the way.
No matter what symptoms you may experience in menopause, don’t put off getting the support that will help make this transition easier on your physical and emotional health. A 30-minute appointment with a menopause specialist can provide the advice and treatment options you need to take control of your menopause journey.
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev’s telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.
Sleep may seem more elusive during midlife and menopause than any other time of life – even after having a new baby. Ninety-six percent of women in midlife say that poor sleep is one of their top three symptoms of menopause, according to a recent Gennev survey. To make matters worse, it seems like every day there’s another health problem attributed to a lack of sleep”weight gain, memory problems, decreased immunity, and increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even cancer. No wonder you can’t sleep!
“When sleep becomes a constant concern that a person is preoccupied by, that in itself can make it difficult to become a good sleeper,” says Sound Sleep Guru Meredith Broderick, M.D., who is board certified in sleep medicine and neurology.
So, the first step to better sleep is to stop worrying so much about your sleep. We know, easier said than done. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you to stop obsessing about your sleep and start enjoying a good night’s rest. You may be surprised to find out that some of the most effective strategies are pretty simple. And even if you’re sleep isn’t perfect, there are things you can do to mitigate the negative effects of poor sleep on your health.
Sleep is your body’s rest and repair time. You may think you’re busy during the day, but a lot is going on inside your body at night. Cells are regenerating. Hormones are regulating. Memories are being stored. Your immune system is reinforcing itself. Muscles are getting stronger. Nerve cell connections are being made. All in an effort so you can perform at your best the next day.
To make all of this happen, your body cycles through two types of sleep throughout the night. If you use a sleep tracker like a Fitbit or Apple watch, you may be familiar with some of this. The first type is non-rapid eye movement sleep (non-REM), which includes light and deep sleep. The latter is a crucial time for growth and repair, and if you awaken during this stage, you’ll often feel groggy and disoriented for a while. The second type is rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep), which involves more brain activity than non-REM. This type of sleep is essential for the processing and storing of information, including memories, in your brain. Overnight you cycle through the various stages, with each cycle lasting about 90 minutes and the REM stage getting longer the more you sleep.
There are lots of reasons women sleep poorly during midlife. Hot flashes. Worries. Night sweats. Restless leg syndrome. Pain. A never-ending to-do list. Urinary issues. Sleep apnea. Even if you don’t have trouble falling asleep, you may find yourself waking up more often throughout the night and having a harder time falling back to sleep. Unfortunately, sleep problems don’t usually disappear along with other menopause symptoms.
But a good night’s sleep doesn’t have to be a dream. Often, when you address underlying issues such as urinary problems or joint pain, you’ll sleep better. Treating menopause symptoms like night sweats and anxiety can also help. That’s why your first step should be to see a doctor with experience treating women in menopause. They will understand what you’re going through and have the most options for helping you. A serious sleep robber that needs immediate attention is sleep apnea. If your partner notices that you’re snoring or appear to stop breathing while you sleep, talk to your doctor about getting checked for sleep apnea. As estrogen levels decline, you’re more likely to snore and even experience sleep apnea, a serious condition that disrupts your breathing. Like other underlying conditions, treating sleep apnea will help you sleep better and wake up feeling rested.
As you’re trying to improve your sleep, you may get fixated on the number of hours you’re snoozing. If you wear a sleep tracker, you might obsess about how much deep versus REM sleep you’re getting. While both quantity and quality are important, Dr. Broderick says the most valuable endpoint is feeling rested throughout the day. “If you feel good, the numbers aren’t as important,” she says. “Feeling good and functioning well during the day are what I care about the most.”
And getting a good night’s sleep, so you wake up feeling rested, starts long before you turn in for the night. “What you do with the time you are awake and the quality of your waking hours has a dramatic impact on your sleep quality,” Dr. Broderick explains. “Being active, engaged, having a purpose, and connection are reasons why you get out of bed in the morning. They also keep you busy and help your body generate the need for deep, uninterrupted sleep.”
While you address any underlying causes that may be keeping you up at night, here are additional steps you can take to set your body up for a good night’s sleep. Some may even help with conditions like anxiety, joint pain, and hot flashes that can rob you of sleep.
If you continue to have sleep issues, consider seeing a board-certified sleep specialist or a behavioral sleep specialist. They can provide cognitive behavioral therapy, which has been shown to be effective for chronic sleep problems.
When you notice a change in sleep pattern that may be associated with the menopause transition, especially if body temperature instability is part of the problem, consider an appointment with a Gennev doctor to address the role that hormonal shifts can play in your trouble sleeping.
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev’s telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.