Menopause Specialist

Helen Hsieh, MD -  - Gynecologist

Advanced Women Health

Helen Hsieh, MD

Gynecologist & Aesthetic Specialist located in Flushing, NY

A woman’s reproductive system isn’t designed to give birth indefinitely, and menopause marks the end of that time in your life. Helen Hsieh, MD, of Advanced Women Health in Flushing, New York, is an expert gynecologist specializing in women’s health care at all stages of life, including menopause. If you need help managing the symptoms of menopause and the changes in your body and hormones, call or schedule an appointment with Dr. Hsieh today.

Menopause Q & A

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural biological process that every woman goes through at some point. It’s the inevitable end of your menstrual cycle, and signifies the end of your child-bearing years. Women typically experience menopause during their 40s and 50s in the United States.

Once you have gone a full 12 months without a period, it means you have fully entered into menopause. The symptoms of menopause are not always pleasant, and some are rather disruptive.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

As your body goes through the time period leading up to menopause — known as perimenopause — you may experience common symptoms, such as:

  • Irregular periods
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Chills
  • Mood swings and irritability
  • Hormonal changes and lower sex drive
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight gain and a slower metabolism
  • Thinning hair
  • Dry skin
  • Changes to your breasts

It’s not unusual to have irregular periods during perimenopause, or periods that stop for several months and then return unexpectedly.

One of the best things you can do during this time in your life is to have regular gynecological exams so Dr. Hsieh can monitor any significant physical changes. She also offers treatment options including medication and ThermiVa® treatments for many of the uncomfortable symptoms like vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence – both common after menopause.

ThemiVa uses controlled radio frequency (RF) energy to gently and painlessly heat vaginal tissue. The ThermiVa treatment may help relieve symptoms of vaginal dryness and urinary problems.

What can I do to minimize symptoms of menopause?

Eating right, or changing your diet and exercising more often can minimize some of your menopause symptoms such as weight gain or even mood swings. You can alleviate vaginal dryness with water-based vaginal moisturizers and lubricants or estrogen supplements that Dr. Hsieh prescribes.

It’s important to talk about your symptoms with Dr. Hsieh so she can help you manage them, and also so she can address any other underlying causes that may or may not be related to menopause.

For some women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective way to manage some of the symptoms and changes that are related to menopause.

If you need help managing all the physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that occur as you enter into this stage of your life, Dr. Hsieh invites you to call or schedule an appointment online if you live in Flushing or a nearby neighborhood.