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Menopause Specialist

Elk Medical

Saka Kazeem, MD

Endocrinology located in Brooklyn, NY

Unbearable hot flashes, insomnia, headaches, and painful sex can make living with menopause challenging, to say the least. Fortunately, Saka Kazeem, MD, and his professional team at Elk Medical understand how crippling menopause symptoms can be to the lives of many women. Dr. Kazeem designs personalized menopause management plans to relieve your symptoms and restore your quality of life. Serving the community of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in New York City, Elk Medical empowers women to make their own choices when it comes to menopause treatment. To schedule a consultation, call the office today or make an appointment online.

Menopause Q & A

What is menopause?

Menopause marks the end of your menstrual periods and fertility. The average age of natural menopause is between the late 40s and early 50s. However, many women experience menopause much earlier.

Surgical removal of your ovaries also results in menopause. When you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months, whether due to the natural end of fertility or surgery, you’ve officially entered menopause.

Menopause causes a significant decline in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This decline causes the familiar menopause-related symptoms.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Menopause can cause a variety of symptoms. Some women experience only a few symptoms, while others experience many. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Severe menopause symptoms can diminish your quality of life and create stress in your personal life.

The most common symptoms of menopause include:

  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Vaginal atrophy
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Memory problems

Because menopause can cause painful sex, decreased libido, and difficulty achieving orgasm, it can lead to trouble within intimate relationships. It’s also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues and osteoporosis.

How is menopause diagnosed?

To confirm that you have entered menopause, Dr. Kazeem orders blood tests that detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH causes your ovaries to release an egg from within a follicle. As your fertility declines, levels of FSH increase, so high levels of this hormone indicate that you’re in menopause.

A blood test can also rule out other conditions like an underactive thyroid that causes similar symptoms.

What treatments are available for menopause symptoms?

Depending on your health history, your symptoms, your lifestyle, and other individual factors, Dr. Kazeem can recommend the following treatment options:

  • Nutritional and lifestyle counseling
  • Exercise programs
  • Prescription medications for insomnia, depression, and/or anxiety
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Dr. Kazeem and the team at Elk Medical partner with women to design personalized menopause management plans that meet their personal needs.

Dr. Kazeem and his team can help you put an end to miserable hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, call Elk Medical today or request an appointment online.