Comprehensive Menopause Care

Why choose UCLA Health for comprehensive menopause care?

More than half of people going through menopause in the United States don’t receive treatment. Yet, significant changes occur during menopause that can affect your short- and long-term health.

At UCLA Health’s Comprehensive Menopause Program, our expert team of certified menopause providers and collaborating specialists provide comprehensive, evidence-based and individualized care for persons going through and in menopause.

Highlights of our program include:

Specialized experts: Our team includes Certified Menopause Practitioners who have earned these credentials through The Menopause Society, the organization that sets the standards for health care providers to assure high-quality, evidence-based menopause care.

Collaborative care: We work with a trusted network of specialists to address the various aspects of your health that can be affected by hormonal changes. Your care may involve the expertise of providers in bone health, women’s cardiology, mental health, genitourinary health, breast health, sleep medicine, integrative medicine and cancer survivorship.

Research-based treatment: Your treatment plan is based on the latest research. We use evidence-based therapies proven to improve your quality of life and reduce symptoms.

Our areas of care

The drop in hormone levels that occurs due to menopause can affect many organs in your body. At UCLA Health, we provide specialized, patient-centered care in: 

• Urogynecology to address genitourinary health concerns
• Cardiology to prevent and treat women’s cardiovascular disease
• Neurology and neuropsychiatry to address cognition concerns
• Endocrinology to assess bone health
• Sleep medicine to address sleep concerns and related disorders
• Psychology and Psychiatry to treat mood, anxiety and general menopausal distress
• Integrative medicine to support whole-person health and wellness
• Breast oncology to address and treat breast concerns
• Gynecologic Oncology to address cancer survivorship concerns

What is menopause?

Menopause occurs when ovarian hormone production decreases so much that you don’t experience a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. This happens in every person who has ovaries.

Some people experience menopause naturally, while others go into menopause when they have their ovaries removed. Some medications that affect your ovarian health, such as chemotherapy, can also cause menopause.

When do people experience menopause?

On average, menopause occurs around age 51, although you can experience menopause as early as your 40s or as late as your 60s. Many factors influence the age of menopause onset, including your:

• Age at your first menstrual period
• Body mass index (BMI)
• Genetics
• History of oral contraceptive use
• History of pregnancy
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking and exercise habits
• Overall health

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the period before menopause when you experience irregular or skipped periods. This period is also called the menopause transition and may last between two and 10 years.

What is early or premature menopause?

Early menopause occurs between ages 40 to 45. Premature menopause occurs before age 40. 

Menopause-related symptoms we treat

Our experts treat the full range of symptoms and conditions associated with menopause, including:

• Hot flashes
• Vaginal concerns including dryness and pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Cognitive concerns
• Mood disturbances
• Sexual health concerns including low libido (sex drive)

Menopause treatments we offer

Menopause treatment plans vary depending on the symptoms you experience and their severity. Our team works with you to find an effective, personalized care plan.

We offer a full array of specialized treatments to improve your quality of life and relieve menopause symptoms, including:

Hormone therapy: Taking hormones, such as estrogen or progesterone can help reduce uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness.

Nonhormone therapy: Your provider may discuss nonhormonal medications, such as low-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), gabapentin, clonidine or fezolinetant to help manage hot flashes and other symptoms.

Lifestyle-change counseling: Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a nutritious diet or deep-breathing exercises, may help manage menopause symptoms.

Menopause group therapy: A counselor or therapist leads a group session to discuss and educate about menopause. They also provide cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage menopause symptoms. Connecting with others going through similar experiences can help improve your mental health and well-being. .

Mind-body relaxation coaching: Specific techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation or guided visualization, can help you relax your body and mind. These strategies may be useful in dealing with uncomfortable symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy: A therapist teaches you strategies to lower stress, adopt healthier coping skills and deal with negative emotions around menopause symptoms.

Pelvic floor physical therapy: A physical therapist helps you strengthen or relax your pelvic floor muscles to treat symptoms, such as incontinence, painful sex or other genitourinary concerns.

Specialty treatments: You may work with a provider that specializes in bone, cognitive, cardiovascular, genitourinary, mood or sleep health, depending on your specific needs.

Meet our team

Our team includes specially trained, certified menopause providers. We work with multiple specialists to ensure you receive comprehensive, effective care. Meet our expert team.

Contact us

Call 310-794-7274(Link opens phone app) to request an appointment with a menopause specialist at UCLA Health.