Menopause Clinic

Menopause is a clinical definition referring to the absence of menstruation for one full year without any other pathological or physiological cause. It marks the end of ovarian cycle function, accompanied by a drop in circulating estrogen levels in the blood.

• Average age : 52 years
• 95% of women experience menopause between ages 45 and 55

Menopause is considered early if it occurs before age 45, and premature (more accurately termed premature ovarian insufficiency) if it occurs before age 40, affecting about 1% of women.

>> Premature and early menopause can result from various causes, surgery, autoimmune diseases, treatments, or genetics, and require medical management. In most cases, hormone therapy is recommended to reduce health risks associated with an early hormone deficiency, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Menopause is a permanent state that begins after one full year without menstruation. It generally marks the end of ovarian activity. 

Perimenopause, on the other hand, refers to the entire period leading up to menopause, that is, from the moment the first symptoms appear. This phase can last several years and may have a significant impact on a woman’s physical, mental, social, and professional well-being. 

« Tell me… what should I pay attention to in order to understand where I am in my cycle? Don’t you think we should check my hormone levels? » 

A blood test is generally not necessary to diagnose menopause or to start or adjust hormone therapy. The only exceptions are women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or those with a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), such as Mirena. 

For a woman aged 45 to 55 experiencing typical symptoms (see below), a hormone test usually provides no additional useful information. In fact, some women may show clear symptoms even when their hormone levels appear normal, this is due to irregular hormonal activity during the perimenopausal period.

That’s why the diagnosis remains clinical, and the treatment is tailored to the patient’s symptoms, not to the results of a blood test.

Symptoms: 

• Menstrual cycle changes (shorter or longer cycles)
• Hot flashes (experienced by around 80% of women)
• Urinary symptoms (infections, dryness, about 50%)
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Joint pain
• Decreased libido

A woman spends about 1/3 of her life in menopause. 
Menopause is not a disease, it’s a new stage of a woman’s life that should be evaluated as a whole.
However, it is associated with an increased risk of certain conditions, mainly osteoporosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, which can be prevented or managed proactively.

>> While women’s life expectancy remains higher than men’s, their quality of life often declines significantly around the time of menopause.

« Please, help me… I can’t take this anymore… I can’t go on like this… » 

Different types of hormone therapies are available during perimenopause and menopause, including oral treatments, transdermal gels, and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Some treatments are called continuous, meaning they involve the daily administration of constant hormone doses, while others are sequential, with variations in the dose and type of hormone throughout the month.

• Mood stabilizers
• Fezolinetant (Veoza)
• Central antihypertensive medications
• Various dietary supplements
• Acupuncture, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, yoga, and others

All of these alternatives can also help relieve certain symptoms. They may be used on their own or alongside hormone therapy. At present, too few symptomatic women are offered the possibility of menopause treatment. This gap is still largely due to an irrational fear of hormone therapy, both among patients and even some healthcare providers.

There remains a significant lack of information in this field, and it is important to address it, given the short-term benefits (improved quality of life) and long-term health advantages (reduced overall mortality risk) that appropriate treatment can offer.

It is the gynecologist’s role to discuss options with the patient, assess her symptoms, and propose the different therapeutic approaches available. Then, it is up to the patient to decide what she wishes to try, based on her values and preferences.

• We listen.
• We inform.
• We propose.
• You choose. 

A treatment is prescribed only when the practitioner believes, in agreement with the patient, that it may bring overall benefit.
Every treatment is evaluated according to a clear risk-benefit balance, which is explained transparently so that the patient can make an informed decision.

There is now ample scientific evidence highlighting the benefits of well-prescribed hormone therapy, and it is time to replace misconceptions and fear with solid, evidence-based understanding.

>> Weight gain is not caused by hormone therapy during menopause. Age, social factors, lifestyle, and medical history are the main contributors to weight gain during this period.

>>Taking a combined hormone therapy (estrogen and progestogen) for five years does NOT increase the risk of breast cancer in women aged 50 to 59, or in those who began treatment within 10 years after menopause. After 13 years, there was a slight increase in breast cancer risk, about 9 additional cases per 10,000 women.

>> Starting hormone therapy helps reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, while also significantly improving quality of life.

Ideally, to maximize the benefits for bone and cardiovascular health, hormone therapy should be started within the first 5 years after the onset of menopause.

However, it is never too late to schedule a consultation and come talk to us about your symptoms.. 

Because you are at the heart of your health, and we strive to be the arteries that support it…

The gynecologist is often the entry point into a woman’s healthcare journey. 

Their responsibilities include:

• Detecting and diagnosing the first signs of perimenopause;
• Informing and reassuring the patient during this transitional period;
• Presenting available treatment options, both hormonal and non-hormonal;
• Gathering all relevant medical data (blood tests, mammography, colorectal cancer screening, family history, cardiovascular risks, chronic treatments, osteoporosis risk, etc.);
• Coordinating care with other specialists for a comprehensive and personalized approach.

The gynecologist takes a holistic view, considering not only hormonal health but the woman’s physical, emotional, and preventive well-being.

As a true conductor, they ensure that every specialist plays their part in harmony, providing each woman with smooth, balanced, and patient-centered care.

Even in 2025, the leading cause of death in women remains cardiovascular disease, and prevention is still insufficient. This makes it essential to have cardiologists specialized in women’s health.

Did you know? Certain medical histories can increase a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease, including:

• High blood pressure during pregnancy, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, or gestational diabetes
• History of breast cancer treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapies (e.g., Herceptin)
• Early menopause

According to the World Heart Federation, 35% of women’s deaths are due to cardiovascular disease, that’s 13 times higher than deaths from breast cancer.

Hip fractures affect about 15% of women over 80. Certain risk factors, such as low body weight, corticosteroid use, smoking, alcohol consumption, early menopause, and others, can increase your risk of osteoporosis, and therefore the likelihood of fractures in case of a fall.

The rheumatologist’s role is to inform you about available treatments that can slow down this process and help protect your bone health

Many other medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those experienced during perimenopause, so it is important to remain vigilant and not rely solely on age-based assumptions for diagnosis. Endocrine disorders, such as thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, and others,  should be considered, especially when symptoms appear somewhat atypical.

Sexuality is a complex and evolving aspect of a woman’s life. Menopause is certainly not the end of a woman’s sexuality, but it can bring changes in the body and in the couple’s relationship that may need to be addressed. The sexologist supports you, providing guidance and tools to help you continue to feel fulfilled in your sexuality, if that is a goal within your relationship.

Weight gain is often an inevitable phase during the transition to menopause for many women. Due to hormonal changes and the drop in estrogen levels, our basal metabolism decreases.

We also experience a shift in body composition, loss of muscle mass and increase in fat mass. It is important not to face this alone. Reevaluating your diet to avoid common mistakes is one of the first steps toward achieving positive change.

Menopause is a period of transition, affecting not only the body but also emotional and sexual well-being. It can be challenging to navigate this emotional turbulence, and having a professional, attentive ear can help you express your feelings and relieve some of the strain, especially when those around you may not fully understand what you’re experiencing.

During menopause, women may experience various pelvic floor issues. Conditions such as organ prolapse and urinary incontinence can often be positively impacted by targeted exercises for the pelvic muscles. In some cases, this rehabilitation can even help avoid surgery.