Perimenopause
The transition leading up to menopause, often beginning in the 40s. Hormones fluctuate, periods become irregular, and symptoms frequently start here. Learn more on our perimenopause page.
Menopause: Symptoms, Stages & Treatment Options
Menopause affects everyone differently, and care should reflect your symptoms, history, and goals.
Menopause is a natural stage of life. Symptoms such as hot flashes, disrupted sleep, mood changes, and vaginal or urinary changes can affect daily life, but their type and severity vary widely. Care can help clarify where you are in the menopause transition, address bothersome symptoms, and consider bone, cardiovascular, and other long-term health factors when clinically appropriate.
Medically reviewed · Updated August 2026
What is menopause?
Menopause is the point when you have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It happens because the ovaries gradually make less estrogen and progesterone, and in the United States it occurs at an average age of 51, though anywhere from the mid-40s to mid-50s is common. Menopause itself is a single point in time, but the years of hormonal change around it, before and after, are when most symptoms occur. It is a universal transition, and how it feels varies widely from one person to the next.
The menopause transition is commonly described across perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, and understanding where you are can help guide care.
Menopause
The milestone of 12 consecutive months with no period. It marks the end of your reproductive years and, in the United States, happens around age 51 on average.
Postmenopause
Every year after that point. Some symptoms ease over time, while changes to bone and heart health become more important to monitor.
Treatments & Services
Menopause Treatment Options
There is no single right approach. The best option depends on your symptoms, your health history, how far you are from your last period, and your goals. Your provider will explain which options may be appropriate for you and the potential benefits and risks of each.
Hormone therapy, including BHRT
For eligible patients, systemic hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats and can help prevent bone loss. Whether it is appropriate depends on your symptoms, age, time since menopause, health history, and individual risks.
Lifestyle & Whole-Body Support
Sleep, nutrition, stress, movement, and attention to bone and cardiovascular health may be part of a broader menopause care plan based on your individual needs.
Symptom-Focused Care
Vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex, and some urinary symptoms may respond to local vaginal treatment, which differs from systemic hormone therapy. Your provider can discuss options that may be appropriate for you.
Non-Hormonal Options
For patients who cannot or prefer not to use hormones, evidence-based non-hormonal options are available for specific symptoms such as hot flashes. Your provider can review which approaches may be appropriate.
Symptoms & indications
Common Symptoms of Menopause
Symptoms vary in type, timing, and intensity, and not everyone experiences all of them. They tend to fall into a few groups.
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Sleep disruption
- Mood changes, irritability, or anxiety
- Difficulty with focus or memory
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
- Changes in weight or metabolism
- Thinning hair or skin changes
- Lower libido
- Changes in bone health over time
OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES
What Else Can Cause Similar Symptoms?
Because menopause symptoms overlap with other conditions, care starts by understanding your full picture rather than assuming every symptom is menopause. Depending on your history, a clinician may also consider:
Thyroid Conditions
Thyroid problems can cause fatigue, weight, mood, and temperature changes that resemble menopause.
Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Mood changes can have several causes that are worth evaluating alongside hormones.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep problems, including sleep apnea, can be a primary cause rather than a menopause symptom.
Other hormonal & metabolic changes
Some midlife changes relate to metabolic or cardiovascular health and deserve their own attention.
Diagnosis & Testing
How Is Menopause Diagnosed?
For most people, menopause is diagnosed from your age, your menstrual history, and your symptoms, not from a single blood test, because hormone levels fluctuate too much to be reliable on their own. Testing is more useful in specific situations, for example to rule out a thyroid condition, or when symptoms appear before age 45, where a clinician may check hormone levels to look for early menopause.
WHO MAY BENEFIT
Care begins with the right clinical questions.
Care from qualified medical professionals
Testing chosen for your symptoms, not a fixed panel
Results interpreted in the context of your full history
A clear next step, whether that is testing, treatment, or referral
Important: Treatment decisions require an individualized medical evaluation. This page is educational and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or emergency care.
Getting Started
How Care Works
Starting care with Aligned Modern Health is simple.
Request an appointment
Call us at 773-598-4387 or request an appointment online to get started.
Understand what is driving your symptoms
Your first in-person or telehealth visit focuses on a thorough review of your history, symptoms, and goals.
Begin your personalized care plan
When clinically appropriate, your provider will recommend testing and a care plan designed around your results.
The Aligned Modern Health difference
Expert care designed around the whole you
Clinical Care Team
Experienced physicians, clinicians, nurse practitioners, and care coordinators collaborate with you.
Comprehensive Testing
We interpret testing in the context of your symptoms, history, and full clinical picture.
Personalized Treatment
Your plan is tailored to your symptoms, history, lifestyle, and goals.
Whole-Body Wellness
Support for nutrition, stress, sleep, and movement alongside your care.
MEET YOUR CARE TEAM
Hormone Health Expertise, Compassionate Partnership
Care is delivered by an interdisciplinary team with experience in hormone health, functional medicine and whole-person care.
DR
Medical leadership
Physician oversight and evidence-informed standards.
NP
Hormone health clinicians
Personalized care, treatment, and monitoring.
CC
Clinical care coordinators
Support throughout testing, follow-up, and next steps.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
What is the difference between perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when hormones fluctuate and periods become irregular. Menopause is the point when you have gone 12 consecutive months without a period. Postmenopause refers to the years afterward. Symptoms can occur across all three stages.
What is the average age of menopause?
In the United States, menopause happens around age 51 on average, though it can occur earlier or later. Perimenopause often begins in the 40s.
Do I need a blood test to confirm menopause?
Usually not. Menopause is generally diagnosed based on your age, menstrual history, and symptoms. Testing is used mainly to rule out other causes such as thyroid conditions or when symptoms appear before age 45.
Is hormone therapy safe for menopause symptoms?
Hormone therapy may be appropriate for carefully selected patients, but no treatment is risk-free. For many healthy women younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset, the benefits may outweigh the risks when treatment is clinically appropriate. Your provider will review the considerations that apply to you before recommending treatment.
Can lifestyle changes help with menopause symptoms?
For some people, changes to sleep, nutrition, stress, and activity can help, depending on which symptoms are present. Your provider can help you decide whether lifestyle support, hormone therapy, or a combination is appropriate.
Does insurance cover menopause care?
Coverage varies by plan, service, lab, and medication. Most major plans do not cover all costs, though bloodwork and visits may be covered, and hormone therapy services are FSA- and HSA-eligible. Contact the care team for current information before scheduling.
Can I receive hormone care virtually?
Aligned Modern Health offers virtual hormone health appointments in eligible states. We coordinate testing and prescriptions based on your location and clinical needs.
Does menopause affect bone and heart health?
Bone loss accelerates around and after menopause as estrogen levels decline. Cardiovascular risk also rises with age, and the menopause transition is a time when risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol may become more important to monitor. Your provider can discuss screening and prevention based on your individual risk factors.
What if I am over 60 or many years past menopause?
Hormone therapy may still be appropriate for some people, but the balance of benefits and risks changes with age and time since menopause, so your provider will weigh this carefully with you. Non-hormonal and local options may also be considered.
INSURANCE & PAYMENT
Insurance Coverage for Menopause Care
Aligned Modern Health is in-network with many major insurance plans. Coverage varies by plan, service, lab, and medication, and while most plans do not cover every cost, bloodwork and visits may be covered. All hormone therapy services are FSA and HSA eligible. Our team will help you understand how coverage applies before you begin.
Schedule an Appointment
Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you as soon as possible. For immediate assistance, please call 773-598-4387.
Clinical Sources
References & Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — The Menopause Years
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Hormone Therapy for Menopause
- National Institute on Aging — What Is Menopause?
- The Menopause Society — Hormone Therapy Position Statement
- American Thyroid Association — Hypothyroidism
This page provides general educational information and does not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a licensed healthcare professional.
