Are you starting Menopause? Here’s what you need to know.
October 14, 2025
Are you starting Menopause? Here’s what you need to know.
Most women start menopause in their early 50s, though some begin experiencing symptoms as early as their mid-to-late 40s. Millions of women go through menopause each year, and going through “the change” can be an emotional roller coaster accompanied by numerous unpleasant symptoms. The good news is that you don’t have to go through the process alone, and our all-woman team at Central Clinic for Women
is here to help you every step of the way!
We’re conveniently located on the Baptist Health campus in Little Rock, and we’re proud to offer compassionate, holistic healthcare for women at every stage of life. Every woman’s experience is unique, and we’ll work with you to develop a personalized wellness plan tailored to your body’s unique needs. Our services include annual women’s health and cervical cancer screenings, guidance on when to begin regular mammograms, and ongoing support for any new or worsening symptoms.
What happens during menopause?
Menopause marks the stage of life when you can no longer get pregnant, triggered by a natural decline in estrogen and progesterone production. Your periods will start to become irregular and shorter before stopping completely, and you’ll know you’ve reached menopause after 12 consecutive months without a period or spotting.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
The process of menopause involves numerous significant biological changes, often accompanied by numerous uncomfortable symptoms. Menopause presents differently in all women, and typically includes some of the following symptoms:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Mood swings and irritability
- Difficulty maintaining a healthy weight
- Occasional incontinence
What can I do to alleviate the symptoms of menopause?
Your best defense against menopause is to take a whole-health approach that encompasses stress management, proper nutrition, and regular exercise. You should consider reducing your intake of red meat and adopting a Mediterranean-style diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. It’s also a good idea to moderate your consumption of caffeine and alcohol, and if you smoke, there’s no better time to quit than right now!
Our team at CCFW is here to listen and help you feel your best throughout your menopause journey and beyond! Contact us online
or at (501) 227-5885
today to schedule a menopause care appointment or to find a trusted gynecologist Little Rock.
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As you approach menopause, you’ve probably already heard a lifetime of horror stories from friends and older relatives about what to expect. The experience certainly has no shortage of ups and downs, but they all survived, and so will you! The good news is that you won’t have to go through “the change” on your own, and our dedicated all-woman team of healthcare professionals at Central Clinic for Women is here to ease your menopause journey! We’re conveniently located on the Baptist Health campus in Little Rock, and our services include annual women’s health and cervical cancer screenings, 3D mammograms, bone health assessments, and other tests and procedures as needed. We recognize that each woman's experience is unique, and we provide individualized care to address your specific needs and concerns so you can navigate menopause with confidence. Here are a few frequently asked questions about menopause, and we’re a phone call away if you’d like to learn more or schedule your annual well-woman exam. When does menopause begin? Menopause begins for most women when they reach their early 50s, but some women might start experiencing symptoms as early as their mid-to-late 40s. What are the most common symptoms of menopause? Many women start experiencing a host of unpleasant symptoms once they reach middle age, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and irregular periods; You might also experience mood swings or struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Menopause affects all women differently, and it’s important to discuss any new symptoms or changes to existing symptoms with your doctor right away. What can I do on my own to manage my symptoms? One of the most important things you can do to manage menopause symptoms is to eat right and get 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise at least three times a week. And if you smoke, quit now! It should also come as no surprise that stress can adversely affect your health, so do your best to identify the natural stressors in your life and plan accordingly. There’s also no shame in talking to a behavioral therapist or other mental health professional if you need further assistance to cope with extreme stress, anxiety, or depression! Contact us online or at (501) 227-5885 to schedule a menopause care appointment or to find a trusted gynecologist Little Rock.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! You’re in store for a life-changing experience, and you’re very likely to go through every imaginable emotion in the upcoming months. The big day will be here before you know it, and the good news is that our all-woman team at Central Clinic for Women is here to ensure that you’re fully prepared! Our clinic is conveniently located on the Baptist Health campus, and we’re committed to providing the highest quality prenatal care for women in Arkansas. Contact us as soon as you believe you might be pregnant, and we’ll help you develop a plan to make the experience as stress-free as possible. Here are a few tips to help you get started, and we’re always a phone call away if you have any additional questions! Things to do now— This is a great time to start reading up on pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care, but you should always remember that books, blog posts, and podcasts are no substitute for qualified medical advice. Designing a fun and functional nursery is always a lot of fun, and it’s never too early to start baby-proofing your home. Be sure to also stockpile baby supplies in other rooms you use regularly for quick, easy access. During your final trimester— Put together a hospital bag at least a month before your due date, and keep it near your front door. Be sure to include clothing for both you and your baby, toiletries, snacks, an extra phone charger, and anything else you won’t want to be without during your hospital stay. And you’ll probably be too tired to do much cooking once you get home, so start preparing and freezing plenty of easy-to-reheat comfort foods so you won’t be forced to eat carry-out for every meal. After your baby arrives— The importance of postpartum care cannot be overstated, and it’s perfectly normal to feel stressed out (and maybe a little sad) during the months right after childbirth. You’ll want to eat right, get plenty of sleep, and engage in some light exercise to improve both your body and mind. Parenting is a shared responsibility, so don’t be afraid to let your partner or other family members know how they can help! Contact us online or dial (501) 227-5885 to schedule prenatal care or to find an experienced OBGYN Little Rock.
All parents will tell you that their children have been their greatest blessing, and the experience is truly life-changing. But if you don’t think you’re ready, it’s crucial to choose an effective form of contraception and use it consistently. Our all-woman team at Central Clinic for Women proudly offers annual well-woman exams, 3D mammography, obstetric care, and other specialized services, including menopause care. We can help you have a smooth pregnancy and a quality childbirth experience whenever you’re ready, and we can also help you choose the form of contraception that works best for you if you’re not! Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) have a 99% success rate and are effective for up to 12 years. They can be inserted during an outpatient office visit, and some IUDs are effective almost immediately. You won’t have to remember to take a daily pill or insert a device prior to sexual activity, and your IUD can be removed whenever you’re ready to become pregnant. We offer IUDs from leading pharmaceutical companies, including Nexplanon , Paragard , Mirena , and Skyla , and we’ll help you choose the IUD that's best for you. There are two types of IUDs available, and they work in slightly different ways. Copper IUDs cause your uterine lining (endometrium) to become inflamed, making it difficult for a fertilized egg (embryo) to implant and develop. Hormonal IUDs release small amounts of hormones over time that partially suppress your ability to release an egg, and they also thicken your cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach your fallopian tubes. IUD insertion is quick and relatively painless, but we do recommend taking the whole day off work so that you can go home and recuperate for the rest of the day after the procedure. You might experience some initial cramping or discomfort shortly after insertion, as well as some changes to your menstrual period. Other common side effects include headaches, bloating, or mood swings. If you experience any other side effects or symptoms that don’t go away after a few days, be sure to contact your OB-GYN or your Primary Care Physician (PCP) for immediate follow-up. Contact us online or at (501) 227-5885 today to schedule your annual exam or to find a trusted gynecologist Little Rock.
According to the American Cancer Society , breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer affecting women in the United States. As with all cancers, early diagnosis is the key to optimal clinical outcomes. Women aged 35 and up should begin scheduling mammograms as part of their annual well-woman exam, or earlier if they have a family history of cancer or present with other risk factors. Central Clinic for Women is currently accepting new patients, and we’re proud to offer 3D screening mammography in Little Rock! We’re conveniently located on the Baptist Health Campus, and our all-woman team of dedicated healthcare professionals is committed to providing the highest quality care for women of all ages. Our services include maternity care, annual women’s health check-ups, gynecology wellness checks, annual pap smears, family planning, menopause treatment, and cervical cancer screening. We have some of the best doctors and staff available to provide you with unparalleled gynecologic and obstetric care, and we’re always a phone call away if you have any questions about women’s health! 3D mammography involves taking multiple X-ray images of the breast to create a three-dimensional image, enabling our diagnosticians to see beyond areas of density and detect cancers that might otherwise be missed. Clinical studies have shown that combining a 3D mammogram with a standard mammogram yields more accurate diagnoses than a standard mammogram alone, and combining both exams typically obviates the need for follow-up imaging. The procedure for 3D mammography is similar to traditional mammography, but it takes slightly longer to process the additional images. Be sure to let your doctor know about any new symptoms you encounter between your regularly scheduled visits, including mood swings, chronic pain, cramps, spotting, or incontinence. Be sure to also perform a monthly Breast Self-Exam (BSE) at home and contact us for immediate follow-up if you feel any thickening or lumps in your breast tissues or notice any unusual discharge. The best time to perform a BSE is 7-10 days after the end of your period, or any day you can remember each month if you’ve reached menopause and are no longer menstruating. Contact us online or dial (501) 227-5885 to schedule your mammogram or to learn more about our women's clinic Little Rock.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! If this is your first child, it’s a good bet that you’ve heard plenty of horror stories! And anyone with multiple children will tell you that each pregnancy was different. Pregnancy can be a very emotional experience, and you’re certainly not alone if you’re experiencing stress or anxiety! But it’s important to remember that it’s all worth it, and our all-woman team of healthcare professionals at Central Clinic for Women is here to help every step of the way! We’re committed to providing the highest quality prenatal care for women in Arkansas, and our clinic is conveniently located on the Baptist Health campus. Be sure to schedule your first prenatal appointment as soon as you know you're pregnant, and we’ll develop a complete “to-do” list for the months leading up to your big day. There are also several easy things you can do right now to get ready at home! Practice installing and removing your car seat —Your child will need a car seat until he or she is big enough to wear an adult seat belt, and Consumer Reports offers a convenient buyer’s guide to help you choose the seat that’s right for you. Choose a seat that fits your vehicle, and be sure to review the instruction manual and your vehicle's owner’s manual for the correct installation procedures. And be sure to practice, because you definitely don’t want to be installing the seat for the first time with a newborn in your arms! Prepare the baby’s sleep surface —The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers several crib safety tips , and you should purchase a CPSC-approved crib with slats no more than two and 3/8 inches apart. You should always put babies on their backs on a firm, flat sleeping surface, and nothing should go into the crib except for one tight, fitted sheet. Create Workstations Throughout Your Home —Be sure to pick a changing table that’s a comfortable height with plenty of built-in storage, and develop an organizational system for all the supplies you’ll need that you can easily remember while you’re tired. And be sure to set up a stockpile of snacks and supplies near your favorite chair for easy access during lengthy late-night feedings! Contact us online or dial (501) 227-5885 to schedule prenatal care or to find an experienced OBGYN Little Rock.
