Your periods stopped months, or years, ago, and the intense symptoms have likely eased. You’re not in crisis mode anymore, but you might be wondering if your current care still fits, or if it’s time for a team that actually understands what your body needs now. We’ve supported women across metro Atlanta through this exact stage since 1984, and we’re here to help you navigate your postmenopause options with confidence.
- Postmenopause (Years Beyond Your Final Period):
Begins once you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period, the point that marks menopause itself, and it lasts for the rest of your life. - Perimenopause (Still Having Periods):
Typically starting in your 40s (though it can begin in your late 30s), hormone levels begin to fluctuate erratically rather than following a predictable schedule. Periods become irregular, and early symptoms like sleep disruption or hot flashes begin. - Menopause (12 Consecutive Months Without a Period):
A single point in time, the day that marks 12 consecutive months without a period. According to The Menopause Society, most women reach this milestone around age 51.
What Should Care Look Like Now?
This is the question we think matters most at this stage: not “what symptoms do I have,” but “is my care team actually paying attention to what matters now.” A postmenopause well-woman visit with us includes:
Cancer Screening
Pap smears or HPV testing, when recommended based on your age and history, along with breast exams.
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol checks, and a real conversation about what your numbers mean for your heart health—not just a quick glance.
Bone Health Discussion
A discussion about osteoporosis prevention, calcium and vitamin D, and whether you’re due for a bone density scan.
Sexual Health
Brought up by us, not left for you to raise. From thinning tissues and dryness to persistent hot flashes or sleep disruption, we address these common, highly treatable issues openly so you don’t have to feel awkward bringing them up.
Prioritizing Your Long-Term Wellness Through Prevention
At this stage, prevention becomes just as important as symptom management. Two areas deserve particular attention–not because something is wrong, but because this is when proactive care can have the greatest long-term impact.
- Protecting Bone Density: Declining estrogen accelerates bone loss, and the first several years after menopause are when that loss happens fastest, raising the risk of osteoporosis and fractures later. The National Institute on Aging recommends weight-bearing exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D, and bone density screening as part of routine postmenopause care.
- Supporting Cardiovascular Health: Before menopause, estrogen offers some natural protection against heart disease. After menopause, that protection declines, making regular monitoring and heart-healthy habits more important than ever.
Treatment Options for Persistent Symptoms
For many women, the most intense menopausal symptoms improve over time. But if you’re still dealing with hot flashes, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, or other symptoms, you don’t have to simply live with them. Effective treatment options are still available!
- Continued or Adjusted Hormone Therapy: Continuing, adjusting, or starting hormone therapy–tailored specifically to your health history and current symptoms—can effectively manage lingering hot flashes and sleep issues.
- Non-Hormonal Medications: Non-hormonal options (such as SSRIs/SNRIs, gabapentin, or NK3 receptor antagonists) offer targeted, effective relief for hot flashes and night sweats without using hormones.
- Localized Vaginal Therapies: Let’s be direct: vaginal dryness and pain during sex are common, treatable, and worth bringing up—even if your doctor hasn’t asked. Low-dose vaginal estrogen (creams, rings, or tablets), DHEA inserts, or non-hormonal moisturizers target tissue changes directly at the site to provide significant relief with minimal systemic absorption.
Choose the Women Who Know: Care From Physicians Who Specialize in Postmenopause
Drs. Mironda Williams, Deanna Guthrie, and Karen Greene are members of The Menopause Society, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to women’s health at midlife and beyond. Our team is all women too, so your ongoing care is informed by physicians who stay current on the latest research and guidelines for long-term health after menopause.
Our nurse practitioners, Mary Corbitt, APRN, and Brittany Bulger, APRN, work alongside our physicians to provide ongoing well-woman care, so you have more than one path to the support you need.
By combining advanced medical expertise with personal empathy, we’re here to help you navigate your personal menopause journey so you can take good care of your health with confidence. Call us at 770-487-9604 to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need annual gynecology visits if nothing feels wrong?
Yes. Postmenopause visits shift focus toward cancer screening, cardiovascular assessment, and bone health prevention rather than symptom management. Feeling fine doesn’t mean there’s nothing to check.
How do I know if my current doctor's postmenopause care is actually thorough?
A thorough visit should include cardiovascular risk discussion, a bone health conversation, and a sexual health check-in initiated by your provider. If your annual visit is in and out without touching these, it’s worth asking why, or getting a second opinion.
How often should I get bone density screening?
Recommended at age 65 for all women, or sooner, as early as 50 to 60, if you have risk factors. Ask your doctor about your personal risk and screening schedule.
Can I stop hormone therapy now that I'm postmenopausal?
If you were using hormone therapy, your doctor will discuss whether to continue, reduce, or stop, based on how you’re feeling, any lingering symptoms, and your long-term goals. There’s no universal timeline.
Is vaginal dryness just something I have to accept now?
No. It’s common, but very treatable. Water-based lubricants help acutely; vaginal moisturizers used a few times weekly help longer-term. Prescription options exist if over-the-counter choices aren’t enough, and it’s a normal thing to bring up at your visit.
