How often should I see my gynecologist during menopause?

The question of how frequently one should pay a visit to the gynecologist is already tricky when you are 20 or 30. Hence, with age, each women experiences process of ageing and eventually menopause differently.
In any case, due to many changes during menopause, gynecologist visits shall be mandatory and the rhythm depends entirely on how your body feels.

To give you a bit of rational why regular rhythm of gynecologist is recommended here are few explanations what happens to female body.
The menopause is marked at the point at which the ovaries stop functioning and thus period ends. This particular process can be accompanied by specific physiological changes where period can come and go and it may take up to 6 months or more until it stabilizes and eventually stops for real. Due to unstable loss of period, women need to be careful in intimate sex relationships because it does not mean that irregular period already means – free sex.
Cycles disorders can be accompanied by hot flashes, weight gain or vaginal dryness.

Hence, to regulate this change in women’s body safely and under medical control, regular gynecological checkups are vital. Checkups provide a full clinical examination, the prescription of any eventual treatments and testing for gynecological and breast diseases or anomalies.
If the change is smooth, recommendation is to visit at least once a year but more often if women feel her body keeps changing persist.

Menopause occurs on average around the age of 50(1). It is also accompanied by physical changes (hot flashes, vaginal dryness) bodily changes (weight gain, shifts in body shape) and/or psychological changes (mood swings, trouble sleeping).
Up to 80% of women experienced hot flashes(2) which are the main reason for the introduction of hormonal replacement therapy, in the absence of contraindications.
Hormonal replacement therapy shall be only used in alignment with your doctor.

If menopause occurs before the age of 40, it is called Premature Ovarian Failure(3) that is not a physiological situation and requires specific management.

KEY FACTS TO REMEMBER
● Periods may end around age of 51 on average
● Control with gynecologist because entry to menopause doesn’t mean free sex

TIPS TO FOLLOW
● Gynecological check – once a year or more often if more complexity
● Compulsory to ask for full clinical examination, the prescription of any eventual treatments and testing for gynecological and breast diseases or anomalies.

SOURCES:
1.    Leridon H. Démographie de la ménopause. Quelques données. Gynécologie internationale 1997;6(10):330-1
2.    Woods NF, Mitchell ES. Symptoms during the perimenopause: prevalence, severity, trajectory and significance in women’s lives. Am J Med 2005; 118:14-24.
3.    Management of women with premature ovarian insufficiency. Guideline of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. December 2015.