What Is Menopause? (video)

Maria Murillo, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Scripps Coastal Medical Center, discusses menopause and its wide range of symptoms and treatments available.

Menopause is defined as when a woman over the age of 40 loses her period for 12 months.

The symptoms of menopause are quite variable. They range from hot flashes to night sweats, mood changes, depression and vaginal dryness. There are a number of other symptoms like insomnia that can come with it as well.

Some women will feel maybe one symptom, 10 symptoms or no symptoms. It is quite variable in its presentation.

There are many different options for treatment for menopause. They can be as simple as exercising. Exercising could decrease the frequency of hot flashes. That could also help with insomnia, sometimes night sweats and mood changes.

But if you don’t respond to simple things, such as exercise, then you’re looking into medical options. You have hormone replacement therapy in its different forms. Currently we’re seeing some benefits from anti-depressant medications.

Watch the video on women's age-related health concerns and the importance of obstetricians and gynecologists.