5 Questions with Dr. Hines-Mays

Living Well With Perimenopause And Menopause

Hello Golden Divas!

Are you going through perimenopause or menopause? If so are you living well while you are going through this new journey in your life? Most of us are not; we’re just going through this stage to get to the next phase in our lives.

Some symptoms are less severe than others but one thing for sure ladies, there’s help out there to help us navigate through all of the symptoms that are plaguing our lives now.  We don’t have to suffer through our new normalcy alone!

This leads me to how this topic came about, one of my good male friends (yes a male passed on this pertinent information) was listening to our radio show ‘Let’s Stay Together Talk’ on Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:30 pm on Facebook Live on our Let’s Stay Together Talk page, you can also listen in at www.soarradio.com. He thought this would be a great topic to talk about with our listening audience. I took it a step further and decided to highlight the subject matter with you beautiful golden divas here at Club Fifty so that you can marinate over the information in print.   

Meet Crystal Hines-Mays, MD, is a Franciscan Physician Network board-certified family medicine physician who chooses to practice at Franciscan Health. Dr. Hines-Mays, whose office is located at 18636 Dixie Hwy. in Homewood, can be reached at (708) 679-2370.

Q. What are perimenopause and menopause?
A. Menopause is a decline in the levels of reproductive hormones in women. Perimenopause refers to the period of time when a woman is approaching menopause. The first symptoms of menopause can appear during perimenopause, which can begin when women are in their thirties. Menopause typically begins when women are between ages 45 and 55.

Q. What are the symptoms of menopause?
A. There is a wide range of menopause symptoms. In most cases, women experience
one or two symptoms, including weight fluctuations, irregular menses, breast tenderness, fatigue, moodiness, changes in hair and/or skin texture, feeling hot and cold, and having difficulty sleeping. Additional problems you may encounter during this time are heart disease, joint pain, thyroid issues, and changes in memory.

Q. Should women just try to live with their symptoms?
A. It’s important that perimenopausal and menopausal women discuss their physical and emotional changes with their doctor, as well as with their social circles, whether they be at home, at church or elsewhere. In sharing experiences, women often learn that others have many of the same symptoms. If you’re experiencing some of these symptoms, don’t ignore or run away from the fact that your body is changing. The changes you are experiencing can be treated to improve your quality of life during this phase of your life.

Q. How can my doctor help?
A. Your doctor will perform a thorough history and evaluation, order blood testing, and check vitamin levels. Treatment options will be suggested based on what is uncovered during the evaluation. Your doctor can treat you if your thyroid levels are too high or too low. Anti-anxiety or depression medications may be considered for issues related to irregular sleep, mood swings, or hot flashes. Some women prefer holistic treatments, herbal treatments such as black cohosh, passion
flowers and larger doses of Vitamin E may provide relief.

Q. Is there anything I can do on my own?
A. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to treat many of the symptoms of menopause. Exercise, including stretching and yoga, has been found to increase serotonin and decrease depression and anxiety. Throughout this period of time, it is important that you be very candid with your doctor and be open to exploring different options to alleviate your symptoms.

FREE Menopause Awareness Seminar • Thursday, April 25 • 6 PM

Women’s Health: Hot Flashes, Fatigue and Weight Gain
Presented by Dr. Crystal Hines-Mays. Join us to better navigate the menopause maze. Learn more about its symptoms, effective treatments, and recommended routine care for menopausal women at this free seminar.

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields | Auditorium • 20201 S. Crawford Ave., Olympia Fields Enter at Crawford Ave. on NW side of campus.

SEATING IS LIMITED. Call (866) 790-2229 or visit FranciscanHealth.org to register.

Ladies this is some great information if you have any concerns about this new chapter in your life it would be wise if you can to check this seminar out!!!

Golden Divas if you have been experiencing some of these menopause symptoms please share and tell us what helped you to overcome your symptoms.