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Is It Menopause or Something Else? This Simple Tool Can Help You Know for Sure

Is It Menopause or Something Else? This Simple Tool Can Help You Know for Sure
Oct 22 2025

For years before menopause – which is when your periods end – it is common to have many symptoms. Some are common and well-known, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and disturbed sleep and some are not as common, such as joint pains, anxiety, or numbness. Bryan S. Jick, MD, OB/GYN, a certified menopause specialist at Fair Oaks Women’s Health, recommends you to consider using a symptom tracker, called a Menopause Diary, to help determine how severe your symptoms are.

The Menopause Diary lists 21 symptoms which are associated with the body’s natural loss of estrogen. You can record your symptoms daily and score them as mild, moderate or severe.

“It helps you see the frequency and severity of your symptoms,” said Dr. Jick. “It provides reassurance if you see that symptoms are improving on their own, what symptoms could be associated with menopause, and is an excellent record to show your doctor.”

Dr. Jick explains that if you experience a certain symptom on the list, like joint pain, it might help point you in the right direction (i.e., seeing your gynecologist instead of your orthopedic doctor).

Making that determination can be challenging: “It’s really a tough decision when to go and seek a professional consultation. I think that’s everybody’s individual choice. How do you know if you need treatment? How do you know if what you’re experiencing is normal? Maybe there’s something else that’s causing it?” he said.

Dr. Jick believes the tracker can make this decision much easier and get you on the path to treatment if needed: “Our recommendation is to go through these steps and track symptoms for a month or two. Then you can make an informed decision with your physician or OB/GYN about the options available to help alleviate your symptoms of menopause.”

For more information about Fair Oaks Women’s Health and to download the Menopause Diary, go to: Pasadena’s Premier OB/GYN Group – Fair Oaks Women’s Health | Huntington Hospital and look under “Resources”.