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Understanding Menopause

Posted on September 20, 2024August 26, 2024 by Greenville Womans Care

Women go through many different stages through life, including childhood, puberty, the reproductive stage, the menopausal transition stage, and menopause. Even though menopause is a biological change that every woman goes through at some point, many don’t understand why menopause happens, the different stages, and the symptoms that come along with it. Greenville Women’s Care is here to help you understand everything you need to know about menopause.

What is Menopause?

Menopause, a natural part of aging, is when a women’s reproductive hormones begin to decline, and ovulation and menstruation stop – signaling the end of fertility. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and is a gradual process that can sometimes take up to 14 years. Though menopause is a normal part of life, it brings on many different symptoms and feelings that can be difficult to understand and manage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of menopause can vary for each person, but when you are going through menopause, you could experience hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, mood swings, and weight change. You could also face skin changes, dry mouth, insomnia, decreased libido, or fatigue. These symptoms may surface during the perimenopause stage, and last until the post menopause stage. If you are not sure if your symptoms are related to menopause, your doctor can order blood tests to determine if menopause is likely. In some cases, menopause can begin early due to chemotherapy, hormone therapy, pelvic injuries, surgery, or radiation therapy.

Stages of Menopause

Perimenopause is defined as the transition into menopause and can occur anywhere from 8 – 10 years before the menopause stage, typically around the age of 40. This is when symptoms may begin to surface, hormones could fluctuate, and menstruation may change or become irregular.

Menopause comes next, typically around 50 years old. Menopause is a result of the reproductive cycle coming to an end, causing fluctuations to hormones and changes in the body.

Post menopause is the next stage, when symptoms usually come to an end. Some women may experience other health conditions at this point. The changes your body goes through during menopause can increase your risk of heart disease, loss of bladder control, or weakened bones.

Treatment

Because menopause is a natural stage of life, there is nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. However, if your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, speak with your doctor about treatments to try. You may be prescribed antidepressants or other medication to manage hot flashes, or estrogen to stabilize hormones. Other ways to alleviate symptoms are to avoid triggers like caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and find ways to relax.

Menopause can be stressful as your body changes once again and you experience symptoms you aren’t used to. This change in your life doesn’t have to be scary, schedule an appointment with a provider at Greenville Women’s Care today to ask questions, get advice, and receive treatment for menopause.

Misconceptions about Metastatic Breast Cancer

Posted on October 19, 2023September 22, 2023 by Greenville Womans Care

Metastatic breast cancer is when breast cancer spreads to another part of the body, such as bones, the lungs, the brain, or the liver. There is a lot of misinformation about metastatic breast cancer, so we will clear up some common misconceptions.

#1. Metastatic breast cancer is curable.

Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to cure metastatic breast cancer. Still, treatments can typically keep it controlled for substantial periods. However, people with metastatic breast cancer will need this treatment for the rest of their lives.

#2. A metastatic breast cancer diagnosis means a shorter time to live.

There is a difference between incurable, stage IV, and terminal cancer. Though metastatic breast cancer can shorten your life, it is not an immediate death sentence – even if cancer has spread to your brain. With proper treatment, you can live a relatively normal life.

#3. Metastatic breast cancer treatment is more aggressive than earlier-stage breast cancer treatment.

Earlier-stage breast cancer is treated more aggressively than metastatic breast cancer because the treatment goals differ. Because metastatic breast cancer is incurable, treatment aims to control it. The goal of earlier-stage breast cancer treatment is to destroy the cancer cells.

#4. You’ve done something wrong if you are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

There is a belief that you can always catch stage IV cancer early and that breast cancer develops in the order of stage I, II, III, and IV. People also tend to believe that a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis means you have skipped your screenings, weren’t eating healthy enough or chose the wrong treatment option when treating early-stage breast cancer. The truth is that 20-30% of people with earlier-stage breast cancer will develop metastatic breast cancer, and nobody can say why.

#5. When you have metastatic breast cancer that travels to your _, it becomes _ cancer.

Once it is breast cancer, it is always breast cancer – even if it travels to different parts of your body. The characteristics of cancer cells can change, but it will still be breast cancer.

Greenville Women’s Care is here for you, whether scheduling your yearly mammogram and OB/GYN appointment or if you have questions or concerns about your overall health, we are just a phone call away. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us at 252-757-3131.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month – Know the Signs and Symptoms

Posted on September 9, 2019August 16, 2022 by Greenville Womans Care

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and Greenville Women’s Care would like to make you aware of the signs and symptoms of this disease.

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that may have multiple causes and it may begin in the ovary or adjacent structures including the Fallopian tube and lining of our abdominal cavity. A woman’s reproductive system contains two ovary and Fallopian tube, one on each side of the uterus in the pelvis. Each ovary is about the size of an almond and produces hormones and eggs (ova) for the purpose of our female composition and reproduction. Your ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The Fallopian tube is the tube or “conveyor belt,” if you will imagine that transports the egg to meet the sperm and travel back to the uterus for implantation. The Fallopian tube serves no other purpose.

Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen because there is not yet a perfect test, like a mammogram for breast cancer screening, to detect it early. Late-stage ovarian cancer is more difficult to treat. When the cancer is confined to the ovary, early-stage ovarian cancer, it is likely to be treated more successfully. The best chance of catching this cancer in its early- stages is to know your body well and to have regular exams with your Gynecologist. There are different types of ovarian cancer and each usually present at different age groups. No matter the type of ovarian cancer, it is generally treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

Types of Ovarian Cancer

Your ovaries are made up of three main types of cells and each can develop into a different type of tumor. The type of cell where the cancer begins is the type of ovarian cancer you have. The three types include:

Epithelial tumors. These start in the thin layer of tissue on the outer surface of the ovary. Most, about 90%, ovarian cancers are epithelial tumors.

Germ cell tumors. These start from the cells that produce the eggs (ova). This rare ovarian cancer tends to occur in younger females.

Stromal tumors. These start from the structural tissue that produces the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These tumors, about 7%, are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage.

Benign tumor s(non-cancerous) don’t spread beyond the ovaries. Benign tumors are treated by either removing the ovary or removing the part of the ovary that contains the tumor. Malignant (cancerous) tumors can metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body and can be fatal. It must be treated.

Signs & Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Early-stage ovarian cancer rarely causes any symptoms. Women are more likely to have symptoms when the disease has spread beyond the ovaries. However, most of these symptoms are likely to be caused by other conditions, and most of them occur often in women who don’t have ovarian cancer.

Some of the signs and symptoms include:

Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
Urinary symptoms, such always feeling like you have to go or having to go often
Fatigue
Upset stomach
Back pain
Pain during sex
Change in bowel habits, such as constipation
Menstrual changes
Abdominal swelling with weight loss

Symptoms caused by ovarian cancer are typically more persistent and are a change from normal – meaning they occur more often and are more severe. It is important to know your body well and if any unexplained symptoms persist for an extended period of time, see your Gynecologist.

Causes of Ovarian Cancer

It’s not clear what causes ovarian cancer, however physicians have identified several factors that can increase the risk of the disease. Generally, cancer begins when a cell develops mutations in its DNA. The mutations tell the cell to grow and multiply quickly which creates a tumor of abnormal cells. Those cells continue living as healthy cells die. The abnormal cells can invade nearby tissues and break off from an initial tumor to metastasize in the body.

Risk factors of Ovarian Cancer

Factors that can increase your risk of ovarian cancer include:

Beginning menstruation at an early age or starting menopause at a later age, or both, may increase your risk of ovarian cancer.
Infertility or never having children or having them at a later age
Pelvic conditions like endometriosis
Older age. Although ovarian cancer can occur at any age, it’s most common in women 50 to 60 years of age.
Inherited gene mutations. A small percentage of ovarian cancers are caused by gene mutations inherited from your parents. We have now learned of several genetic mutations and a blood test is available to determine if you are a carrier.
Personal history of breast cancer
Family history of ovarian cancer. Woman who have two or more close relatives with ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease.

Prevention of Ovarian Cancer

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent the disease, however there may be ways to reduce your risk:

Consider taking birth control pills as a means for menstrual manipulation to protect your ovaries. Ask your gynecologist whether this approach may be right for you. A birth control pill places your ovaries into a dormant state and is thought to be protective of the ovary to stop ovulation. This is how it protects one from pregnancy. When a woman is not on birth control, each month ovulation occurs and the egg bursts out of the ovary. This process creates a small scar. The scar is thought to be one of the many causes that could set of the ovarian cancerous process overtime. Women who therefore ovulate monthly are at increased risk. A birth control pill much like pregnancy prevents the ovary from being able to ovulate and therefore protective. Oral contraceptives do have risks, so you should discuss whether the benefits outweigh the risks with your gynecologist.

The other method to reduce your risk resides with the Fallopian tube. When one no longer desires future fertility, this structure can be removed. It is recommended to be considered at time of permanent sterilization, like a tubal ligation, or at a hysterectomy. Evidence shows that removing the entire Fallopian tube may be protective. It is believed that the more aggressive ovarian cancers may not start in the Fallopian tube and not the ovary. This operation is called an opportunistic salpingectomy. It is not recommended to have this surgery for this reason alone. Surgery comes with many risks and evidence has not yet confirmed this should be the sole reason for a surgery to warrant the risk of having surgery. It is recommended however to be done when one is already having surgery for other reasons, hence the opportunistic consideration.

Whether you’re worried about developing ovarian cancer, making decisions about treatment options, or trying to stay well after treatment for ovarian cancer, the physicians and staff at Greenville Women’s Care do care and are here to help!