A woman who begins having signs of perimenopause may wonder whether she should see a gynecologist for a consultation or whether to continue seeing her Family Practice Doctor in Wichita Kansas. If she is satisfied with her family physician, there’s no need to make a change. The general practitioner is fully qualified to provide information about perimenopause and menopause, and to offer recommendations on how to reduce unpleasant symptoms. The doctor also recognizes if any of the symptoms are unusual or whether the woman is experiencing effects in a relatively normal range, even if they seem strange to her.
For instance, a Family Practice Doctor in Wichita Kansas knows that an erratic menstrual cycle is normal for women in perimenopause and that this can begin at a fairly early age. Someone in her 30s might begin experiencing changes in this regard. The physician might provide a pocket calendar for this patient so she can track her periods and make note of any unusual incidents, such as an exceptionally heavy or light flow. This helps the doctor learn exactly what is happening and whether it makes sense to refer this patient to a specialist. If the woman begins experiencing hot flashes, insomnia or unusual mood swings, the doctor can assure her that these symptoms are normal. The patient might benefit from trying natural methods to reduce these problems. If the episodes are particularly bothersome and detracting from their quality of life, prescription medication might be advisable.
During this time, women still need to use birth control if they are sexually active and don’t want to become pregnant. They might have a partner who uses condoms or they might decide to use their own contraception. At a facility such as Wichita Family Medicine Specialists, a woman can obtain a prescription for birth control pills and be fitted for a diaphragm. She also can have an intrauterine device placed. Family practice physicians understand which options are best for a particular patient depending on her medical history and her level of romantic activity. Some women may want to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and the general practitioner provides this service as well. See the website Wichitafms.com for information about a specific family medicine clinic.
