Menopause treatment

During your appointment, a MinuteClinic provider will review your medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also consider whether laboratory or diagnostic tests are needed. They will develop a treatment plan for you specific to your menopause symptoms.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone hormones. This is typically when a person comes to the end of their reproductive years. Menopause can start early as a result of medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or from ovary removal surgery (oophorectomy).

Perimenopause, which is the time when your body transitions to menopause, can last a few months up to 10 years in some cases. Once perimenopause ends and you experience 12 months without a menstrual cycle, this is considered postmenopause, which lasts the rest of your life. Once you’ve reached postmenopause, you typically can’t get pregnant because your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs.

During postmenopause, you may naturally experience relief from menopause symptoms. However, other health conditions become more of a risk factor during this time, such as:

• Heart disease
• Osteoporosis (a condition that causes your bones to become more fragile and break more easily)
• Urinary incontinence (the loss of bladder control)
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness

There are several treatments for menopause symptoms, which may include:

• Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy can be given in pill form, by patch or through injections, and helps reduce symptoms such as hot flashes.
• Vaginal estrogen: Vaginal estrogen is a form of the hormone estrogen that is delivered vaginally. It can help with vaginal dryness and urinary issues.
• Medications: Medications and low-dose antidepressants can provide some relief from symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings, as well as help prevent bone density loss caused by osteoporosis.

You can manage many menopause symptoms at home, but if you’re in need of menopause symptom relief, consider scheduling a MinuteClinic visit. A MinuteClinic provider can discuss the menopause treatment options available to you.