Menopause Center - Washington, DCWashington Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors for MenopauseType of Physician: Obstetrician-Gynecologist What is a Obstetrician-Gynecologist? A certification by the Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology; practitioners provide medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders, to the extent that it distinguishes them from other physicians. This training enables them to serve as consultants to other physicians and as primary physicians for women. Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology Common Name: Ob/Gyn or Ob-Gyn Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors in Washington * Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Howard University Physicians OB/GYN  Howard University Physicians OB/GYN  Howard University Physicians OB/GYN  Howard University Physicians OB/GYN  University OB/GYN Associates  Howard University Physicians OB/GYN  Howard University Physicians OB/GYN  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Women Ob/Gyn Physicians PLLC  Women Ob/Gyn Physicians PLLC  Reiter Hill Johnson & Nevin  Howard N Smith MD  George Samman MD PC  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Capital Womens Care  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Capital Womens Care  Capital Womens Care  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Capital Womens Care  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Capital Womens Care  GW Medical Faculty Associates  GW Medical Faculty Associates  GW Medical Faculty Associates  GW Medical Faculty Associates  GW Medical Faculty Associates  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Capital Womens Care  Capital Womens Care  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Capital Womens Care  Cesare F Santangelo MD PC  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Andrew T Goldstein MD  Andrew T Goldstein MD  April Rubin MD  Bruce G Bonn MD  Bruce G Bonn MD  Bruce G Bonn MD  Center for Integrative Medicine  Bruce L Ames MD PA  Ob/Gyn Group  Russell Bridges MD  Margaret A Byrne MD  Richard N Footer MD  Ob/Gyn Group  Ob/Gyn Group  Joel W Match MD  Ob/Gyn Group  Center for Womens Health PC  Washington Wellness Institute  Nathan M Bobrow MD  Womens Services  Washington Hospital Center OB/GYN  Washington Hospital Center OB/GYN  Womens Services  Washington Hospital Center OB/Gyn  Washington Hospital Center Womens Services  Edward G Koch MD  Womens Services  Washington Hospital Center Womens Services  Washington Hospital Center OB/GYN  Womens Services  Womens Services  Women's Health Associates  Jeevan R Mathura MD  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Georgetown University Hospital Ob/Gyn  Mejebi T Mayor MD  Vernon C Smith MD  John P George MD  Earl N McLeod MD  Robert D Footer MD  Susan B Hurson MD Washington, District of ColumbiaWashington, D.C. formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790. The City of Washington was originally a separate municipality within the Territory of Columbia until an act of Congress in 1871 effectively merged the City and the Territory into a single entity called the District of Columbia. It is for this reason that the city, while legally named the District of Columbia, is known as Washington, D.C. Upcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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MenopauseWhat is menopause?Menopause is defined as the state of an absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. The menopausal transition starts with varying menstrual cycle length and ends with the final menstrual period. Perimenopause means "the time around menopause" and is often used to refer to the menopausal transitional period. It is not officially a medical term, but is sometimes used to explain certain aspects of the menopause transition in lay terms. Postmenopause is the entire period of time that comes after the last menstrual period. Menopause is the time in a woman's life when the function of the ovaries ceases. The ovary (female gonad), is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries produce eggs (ova) and female hormones such as estrogen. During each monthly menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary. The egg travels from the ovary through a Fallopian tube to the uterus. The ovaries are the main source of female hormones, which control the development of female body characteristics such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. The hormones also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Estrogens also protect the bone. Therefore, a woman can develop osteoporosis (thinning of bone) later in life when her ovaries do not produce adequate estrogen. Perimenopause is different for each woman. Scientists are still trying to identify all the factors that initiate and influence this transition period.
At what age does a woman typically reach menopause?The average age of menopause is 51 years old. But there is no way to predict when an individual woman will enter menopause. The age at which a woman starts having menstrual periods is also not related to the age of menopause onset. Most women reach me... Recommended Reading Related to MenopauseWhat are hot flashes?A hot flash (is a feeling of warmth that spreads over the body that begins, and is most strongly felt, in the head and neck regions. Hot flashes are a common symptom experienced by women prior to, and during the early stages of the menopausal transition. However, not all women approaching the menopause will develop hot flashes.
What causes hot flashes?The complex hormonal changes that accompany the aging process, in particular the declining levels of estrogen as a woman approaches menopause, are thought to be the underlying cause of hot flashes. A disorder in thermoregulation (methods the body uses to control and regulate body temperature) is responsible for the sensation of heat, but the exact way in which the changing hormone levels affect thermoregulation is not fully understood. While hot flashes are considered to be a characteristic symptom of the menopausal transition, they can a... Other Related Menopause ArticlesEmergency Contact for Washington
Nearby Washington Hospitals *Howard University Hospital The George Washington University Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington Children's National Medical Center National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington DC VA Medical Center Washington Hospital Center Georgetown University Hospital Providence Hospital The HSC Pediatric Center Saint Elizabeth's Hospital Psychiatric Institute of Washington Walter Reed Army Medical Center The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Sibley Memorial Hospital United Medical Center Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital Virginia Hospital Center Washington Adventist Hospital Prince George's Hospital Center Inova Alexandria Hospital Dominion Hospital Holy Cross Hospital National Institutes of Health Suburban Hospital Doctors Community Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Fort Washington Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center Laurel Regional Hospital Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare Montgomery General Hospital Reston Hospital Center Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Howard County General Hospital Potomac Hospital Civista Medical Center Prince William Hospital Anne Arundel Medical Center Baltimore Washington Medical Center Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City Spring Grove Hospital Center Saint Agnes Hospital Harbor Hospital Center North Spring Behavioral Healthcare Calvert Memorial Hospital Kernan Hospital Bon Secours Baltimore Health System Graydon Manor Behavioral Health Northwest Hospital Baltimore VA Medical Center Springfield Hospital Center University of Maryland Medical Center University Specialty Hospital Mercy Medical Center Maryland General Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Menopause by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Cervical Cancer
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Gout
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Gum Disease
- Gum disease is caused by plaque and may result in tooth loss without proper treatment. Symptoms and signs of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontal disease) include receding gums, bad breath and pocket formation between the teeth and gums. Treatment depends upon the stage of the gum disease, how you responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health.
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Renal Osteodystrophy
- Renal osteodystrophy is a bone disease. The kidneys fail to maintain required levels of phosphorous and calcium in the blood. Renal osteodystrophy is common in patients with kidney disease and affects dialysis patients. Diagnosis is performed with a blood sample, and in some cases a bone biopsy. Medication is the general treatment for renal osteodystrophy.
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Osteoporosis
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Rosacea
- Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose. In addition to inflammation of the facial skin, symptoms include dilation of the blood vessels and pimples (acne rosacea) in the middle third of the face. Oral and topical antibiotics are treatments for rosacea. If left untreated, rhinophyma (a disfiguring nose condition) may result.
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Uterine Cancer
- Though uterine cancer's cause is unknown, there are many factors that will put a woman at risk, including: over age 50, endometrial hyperplasia, using hormone replacement therapy, obesity, using tamoxifen, being Caucasian, having colorectal cancer. Symptoms of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer) include abnormal vaginal bleeding, painful urination, painful intercourse, and pelvic pain. Treatment depends on staging and may include radiation therapy or hormone therapy.
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Women's Health
- Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
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Hair Loss
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Alternative Treatments for Hot Flashes of Menopause
- Hot flashes are experienced by many women, however, not all women undergoing menopause experience hot flashes. A hot flash is a feeling of warmth that spreads over the body. Treatment for hot flashes include hormone replacement therapy and alternative prescription medications such as SSRIs (Effexor, Paxil, Prozac), clonidine (Catapres), megestrol (Megace), and gabapentin (Neurontin). Few alternative treatments for hot flashes (for example phytoestrogens - isoflavones, black cohosh, and vitamin E have been scientifically studied.
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Senior Sex
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Sexual Health
- Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
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Cystocele
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Sexual Problems (Sex) in Women
- Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem that arises during any phase of the sexual response cycle, preventing an individual or couple from experiencing sexual satisfaction. Physical, medical, and psychological conditions may affect sexual functioning, resulting in inhibited sexual desire, inability to become aroused, lack of orgasm, and painful intercourse. Treating the underlying physical and psychological problems usually resolves most female sexual problems.
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Premature Menopause (Medical Procedural Causes)
- Surgical menopause happens when a premenopausal woman has her ovaries removed in a surgical procedure called a bilateral oophorectomy. An abrupt menopause follows, with women often experiencing more severe menopausal symptoms than if they were to go through natural menopause. Chemotherapy and pelvic radiation therapy may also cause menopause by damaging the ovaries.
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Menopause and Sex
- Menopause is often associated with a change in sexual functioning. Loss of estrogen, bladder control issues, anxiety, stress, health concerns, medications, and sleep disturbances often result in a decrease in libido. Though there are currently no good drugs for treating sexual problems in women, there are ways to increase intimacy with a partner and treat vaginal dryness.
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Premature Menopause
- Premature menopause is when a woman goes through menopause before the age of 40 because of genetics, illness, or a medical procedure. Symptoms of premature menopause include irregular or missed periods, mood swings, hot flashes, periods that are heavier or lighter than usual, vaginal dryness, bladder irritability, incontinence, dry skin, eyes or mouth, sleeplessness, and decreased sex drive. Though premature menopause cannot be reversed, the symptoms can be managed with methods similar to those used for natural menopause.
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Male Menopause
- Male menopause refers to the decline in testosterone production in men. As men age, they often experience many of the same symptoms that women experience in menopause. Testosterone replacement therapy may relieve some of these symptoms.
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Dry Eyes
- Dry eyes are caused by an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye, but also can be caused by the drying out of the tear film. This can be due to dry air created by air conditioning, heat, or other environmental conditions. Treatment may involve self-care measures, medications, or rarely, surgery.
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Insomnia
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Endometrial Cancer Prevention
- Endometrial cancer, or uterine cancer, affects the endometrium of the uterus. It's the most common invasive cancer of the female reproductive system. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, taking estrogen-only hormone therapy, early menstruation, late menopause, and never being pregnant.
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Night Sweats
- Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
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Lichen Sclerosus
- Lichen sclerosus is a skin disease that causes white spots to form on the skin, which later grow into large, thin, and crinkled patches of skin that tear easily. Symptoms include itching, pain, blisters, and bleeding. Patches on the upper body usually go away over time, but patches in the genital region may scar if left untreated, causing problems with urination or sex. Treatment may involve surgery or the use of a very strong cortisone cream.
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Urinary Incontinence in Women
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Estimating Breast Cancer Risk: Questions and Answers
- As breast cancer is the most diagnosed non-skin cancer in American women, it is important to know your breast cancer risk. Risk factors include age, age at menarche, age at first live birth, history of breast abnormalities, breast biopsies, race, and history or breast cancer among first-degree relatives.
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Gum Problems
- Gum problems may be caused by improper brushing and flossing, gum disease, canker sores, treatments and hormonal changes. Symptoms of gum problems include red, swollen, sore and bleeding gums. These symptoms can be prevented by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, eating a well-balanced diet, drinking enough water, not smoking, and relaxing.
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Menstruation
- Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
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Masturbation
- Just about everybody masturbates. Masturbation itself is the self-stimulation of the male or female genitals to achieve sexual pleasure or arousal to the point of orgasm. Masturbation involves stimulating the penis or clitoris. Masturbation is very common among people who have, or do not have sexual relations with a partner. Masturbation can relieve sexual tension that can build up over a period of time. Masturbation generally is considered normal unless it becomes a problem by inhibiting sexual activity with a partner, done in public, or causes distress to the person masturbating. Some experts suggest that masturbation can improve a person's sexual health and personal relationships.
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Adult-Onset Asthma
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