Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — Lake Pointe

By Stevel Gamel | Photos by The Teal Album

As the medical director of women’s services
on the staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — Lake Pointe,
Theresa Conyac empathizes with women navigating the challenges of menopause.
At certain times, it’s hot flashes, chills, fatigue, and sleepless nights.
The next, it’s irritable mood, weight gain, irregular cycles, and vaginal
symptoms. While these symptoms are colloquially said to be “part of being a
woman,” many have a misconception that they’re stuck dealing with it until
their menopausal transition is over, which could last five to 10 years or
longer.

“Women don’t have to deal with these symptoms
or live with them,” Dr. Conyac said. “You have options.”

Menopause is the transition period in a
woman’s life when her ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, and
menstruation becomes less frequent — eventually stopping altogether. It is a
natural event that typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. For some
women, it can be so uneventful that the first they hear about it is when
their period stops. For others, this drop in hormone levels can lead to many
of the disruptive physical and emotional changes. Menopause can also be
associated with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, bone loss,
cognitive mental changes, pelvic floor relaxation, and
depression.

All women experience menopause differently.
If you have symptoms of menopause, reach out to the women’s health experts at
Baylor Scott & White for treatment or to simply answer your
questions.

Address
Each Stage of Menopause With Grace

Your care team will develop perimenopause and
menopause treatment plans based on age, medical history, stage of menopause,
and personal preferences. Dr. Conyac said the good news is that her
department at Baylor Scott & White — Lake Pointe covers the gamut
when it comes to state-of-the-art and compassionate gynecological and
obstetric care, from outpatient solutions to gynecologic surgeries such as
hysterectomy, Level III maternity services, and Level III NICU
services.

For many women, perimenopausal and menopausal
treatment can be managed outpatient, and a litany of nonsurgical solutions
exist to help decrease symptoms. This can include over-the-counter
medications. Therapies such as laser vaginal rejuvenation and pelvic floor
therapy are also beneficial in cases of vaginal dryness, pain during sex, and
pelvic floor relaxation. Lifestyle changes such as a well-rounded approach
that addresses the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of a woman’s
well-being (healthy diet, regular exercise, stress reduction, sleep hygiene)
can limit symptoms and lead to an overall wellness which supports women
through this time.

If necessary, one nonsurgical treatment
available for severe menopausal hot flashes and night sweats is low-dose
hormone replacement therapy. The reality is that hormone levels change as men
and women age. So, by regulating your estrogen and progesterone levels, you
can find relief for many

bothersome symptoms.

“Heavy bleeding, hot flashes, and not really
feeling like themselves anymore is what typically brings women in to see us,”
Dr. Conyac said. “Assessing these factors is a combination of clinical
assessment and monitoring a patient’s symptoms through various

treatment approaches.”

See Your Doctor Regularly

Don’t allow menopause to interrupt your life.
Long-lasting relief could be as simple as hormone replacement therapy,
non-hormonal medications, or consistent lifestyle changes. For others, the
answer could be a hysterectomy or endometrial ablation. The key is to have a
conversation with your care provider and receive regular
screenings.

Many women don’t realize that during
menopause, they can be more at risk for certain cancers like breast, ovary,
and uterine. In addition, chronic medical health conditions can escalate
after the menopausal time. This is where routine screenings through pap smears,
mammograms, and sonograms can lead to early detection and more successful
treatment options.

Physicians provide clinical services
as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White
Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not
provide clinical services as employees or agents of Baylor Scott &
White Health or those medical centers.

HERE FOR
EVERY STAGE

All women
experience menopause differently. If you have symptoms of menopause, reach
out to the women’s health experts on staff at Baylor Scott & White –
Lake Pointe. We can help you determine the best treatment for you or just
answer your questions. We’re here to help you deal with every stage of
menopause: