Although perimenopause and menopause represent natural stages in a woman’s life, some women may find the common symptoms of this stage burdensome to the point of affecting their quality of life. On average, women experience menopause at age 51. Approximately 1% of women experience “premature” menopause, which occurs before age 40. (Menopause is considered “early”—but not premature—when it happens after age 40 but before 45.) Some medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, and some treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and ovarian surgeries, may increase the risk of early or premature menopause. Both premature and early menopause can be particularly burdensome—not only are the physical symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness) more severe, but the psychological distress that accompanies an early onset of menopause can be particularly stressful, especially for women who may not have met their fertility goals. Our team of clinicians is equipped to help optimize the quality of life and health of the reproductively aging population of women by addressing their symptom burden, as well as identifying and minimizing their long-term health risks (such as osteoporosis or fractures). Our team is equally responsive to the reproductive needs and goals of our patients. Our Fertility Preservation Program addresses the needs of those who require treatments that may result in ovarian compromise or early ovarian failure. Our Third-Party Reproduction Program is committed to helping women with premature and early menopause meet their fertility goals through the use of donor eggs or gestational surrogacy . Our clinicians strive to serve our perimenopausal and menopausal patients’ immediate medical needs while also anticipating and reducing the risk of health problems that may arise in the future.

At Yale Medicine, our team of renowned physicians are leaders in the field of endocrinology. We specialize in understanding and treating the delicate balance of the endocrine system and the hormones that regulate essential body functions. Our physicians are also experts in the management of metabolic disease, which affects how your body processes food to create energy. We're here to provide you with advanced diagnostic and comprehensive treatment options that address these crucial hormonal and metabolic functions. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Adrenal diseases, including adrenal masses, Cushing syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, and pheochromocytoma. Bone Center consists of a team of specialists with expertise in bone health who treat patients with bone diseases and disturbances in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, a mineral that helps build bones. Center for Weight Management, which offers assistance with weight and weight-related health conditions. Diabetes Center is comprised of diabetes specialists who help patients manage their diabetes and prevent long-term complications. Endocrine cancers of the thyroid and adrenal glands. Pituitary conditions and complex disorders. Thyroid diseases, including hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.

The Endocrine Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital is one of the largest multidisciplinary endocrine programs in the country. We evaluate, diagnose, and care for patients with both cancerous and benign tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and pancreas. As part of the only endocrine surgery program in Connecticut, our highly trained surgeons collaborate with specialists both at Yale and other institutions in order to provide the most comprehensive, leading-edge surgical treatment available to all of our patients. Our emphasis is on the safest and most minimally invasive surgery with the least amount of discomfort, scarring, and the fastest recovery time for every patient. The Endocrine Program is experienced in treating rare cancers, such as parathyroid carcinoma, advanced thyroid cancer, adrenal cancer, and pheochromocytoma/paragangliomas, which benefit from this multidisciplinary approach and specialized expertise. Specialized surgical expertise is essential for the management of all endocrine tumors. Some of the latest and most innovative procedures offered by our program include: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a unique, non-surgical way to treat benign thyroid lesions. Traditionally, thyroid nodules are removed surgically, which may require lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation. RFA is a safe and effective alternative to surgery that can preserve normal thyroid tissue and function and alleviate compressive symptoms. During the minimally invasive, outpatient procedure, a patient’s nodule is selectively heated and denatured using an electrode that passes through the skin. Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy : The removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands, which are small, pea-shaped glands located in the neck on either side of the trachea and next to the thyroid. This is performed with a focused approach, often using a gentle local anesthesia technique. This enables the patient to vocalize during surgery, ensuring the vocal cords are protected. Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy : This approach allows for direct access to the adrenal gland without the need for invasive procedures in patients deemed to have smaller tumors. This results in less scarring and pain with a quicker recovery for patients. Laparoscopic or Open Transabdominal Adrenalectomy : Based on the individual patient, and especially in the management of large adrenal tumors, either a laparoscopic or open surgical approach may be preferable. We offer several specialized approaches to enhance care in conjunction with surgery. These include: A parathyroid four-dimensional (4-D) CT Scan , an advanced imaging technique used to localize parathyroid tumors before surgery is performed Rapid PTH (parathyroid hormone) assays , which allow for real-time testing while patients are still in the operating room. Rapid PTH-assays are essential in determining if a tumor has been completely removed, or if further exploration is needed before