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What Is Menopause: A Primary Care Guide to Symptoms and What to Expect

Monday, May 11, 2026

woman discussing menopause symptoms with her doctor during a primary care visit

With its negative stigma and surrounding misconceptions, the topic of menopause continues to be one many women postpone or avoid altogether. While menopause is a natural part of aging, it can have its risks and challenges. That means awareness remains crucial and your SouthCoast Health primary care provider can serve as your first line of support during this transition.

What is Menopause?

The National Institute of Aging describes menopause as the stage of a woman’s life marking the permanent end of menstruation and the inability to get pregnant. Although it typically begins when women are in their early 50s, it can also occur in a woman’s 40s or 50s.

Menopause has three stages:

  • Perimenopause is the time before natural menopause begins. According to the Menopause Society, the signs of perimenopause can include changes in menstrual flow and frequency due to the ovaries’ sporadic production of hormones and less-frequent ovulation.
  • Menopause is diagnosed after a woman hasn’t experienced a menstrual period, vaginal bleeding, or spotting for 12 months. This means periods have permanently ceased.
  • The postmenopause era begins after the first year of menopause, lasting for the remainder of a woman’s life.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

While symptoms can vary greatly between women, the following are some of the most common symptoms found during the stages of menopause:

  • Vasomotor symptoms, more commonly known as night sweats and hot flashes, are the most frequently occurring symptoms of the menopause transition, taking place in 75% of women. Hot flashes manifest out of the blue as intense heat sensations in the upper body. Those that occur during sleep are called night sweats and can also include chills.
  • According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), mood swings often occur during menopause. This includes irritability, fatigue, tearful and moody feelings, depression, and anxiety are known to occur. Additionally, many women experience brain fog, which can include memory challenges, an inability to focus and concentrate, and being easily distracted.
  • The genitourinary syndrome of menopause includes a collection of signs and symptoms. Among them are genital dryness, burning, and irritation; pain during sexual intercourse; and urinary symptoms. The latter can include increased urination urgency and frequency, painful urination, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
  • According to Mayo Clinic, many women experience weight gain around the abdomen during menopause due to hormonal changes. Extra pounds around the midsection can bring health risks including Type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, and heart and blood vessel disease. Practicing weight-control basics, including exercise and proper nutrition, are helpful.

Why Primary Care Matters During Menopause

Your primary care provider can serve as your homebase during menopause, helping you navigate the transition. They can serve as your advocate, providing comprehensive health management, customized symptom relief, mental and physical wellness plans, and preventive care and screenings.

However, according to a study shared by the Menopause Society, gaps can occur in menopause care in primary care settings. To help avoid this, women are encouraged to be proactive, talk openly about menopause and any possible symptoms, and discuss symptom management options with their primary care physician.

Let SouthCoast Health Primary Care Providers Help You Navigate Menopause

SouthCoast Health primary care providers are here to assist you through the entire menopause transition. To discuss any concerns you may have, schedule an appointment online.

Whether you are looking for a primary care doctor or a pediatrician, or another medical specialist, SouthCoast Health has you covered with its wide range of world-class healthcare services, available throughout the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 16 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hilton Head, Hinesville, and Statesboro. SouthCoast Health offers comprehensive medical services including: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy and Asthma, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Eye Care, Imaging, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Neurology, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Surgery, Clinical Trial Research Studies, Diabetic Self-Management Training Sessions, Dietetic Counseling, Laboratory Services, Massage Therapy, Optical Shop, Pharmacy, and Urgent Care.