Options for treating troubling symptoms of menopause range from home remedies and lifestyle changes to prescription medications and hormone replacement therapy. But only a healthcare provider can help you decide what’s right for you. 12 times when you need to talk to a provider about your menopause symptoms: 🟣Your periods have changed 🟣You start missing periods 🟣After you skip periods, your return period is very heavy 🟣You’re skipping periods before age 45 🟣Your periods have become heavy, painful or otherwise unusual 🟣You’re experiencing vaginal dryness 🟣Sex has become painful 🟣You’re having frequent UTIs or other urinary problems 🟣You can’t find relief from hot flashes or night sweats 🟣You can’t sleep 🟣You’re under 45 and suspect perimenopause 🟣Your symptoms are interfering with your daily life It’s uncommon to begin menopause before age 45, but it can happen. If you’re in your early 40s or younger and you’re having symptoms of perimenopause, like skipping periods, you definitely need to bring that up to your doctor. You may have primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), a condition that happens when your ovaries stop functioning earlier than age 40. When you have POI, your estrogen levels are low and your level of follicle-stimulating hormone (the brain hormone that regulates your ovaries’ hormone production) is high. Low estrogen from POI can raise your risk of health conditions like: Osteoporosis Heart disease Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Infertility