Menopause is a natural transition, but you should not have to just push through the symptoms. At Mountcastle Med Spa and Laser Center in Ashburn, Leah Elk, NP, helps women in Loudoun County and across Northern Virginia feel like themselves again with care built around your health history, your symptoms, and your goals.
Meet Leah Elk, NP
Leah is a nurse practitioner with 25 years of experience in OB/GYN and women’s health. She has guided thousands of women through every stage of life, and she listens first. Your visit is a real conversation, not a rushed checklist. [ADD CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS]
Understanding menopause
What is menopause?
Menopause is confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. In the United States the average age is about 51, though it varies. The years of change before that point are called perimenopause (see our Perimenopause Treatment page). The years after are postmenopause. Falling estrogen and progesterone levels affect far more than periods.
Common menopause symptoms we treat
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Mood changes, irritability, anxiety, or low mood
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Vaginal dryness, discomfort with intimacy, and urinary urgency or recurrent urinary symptoms
- Low libido
- Weight gain around the midsection and slower metabolism
- Joint aches, dry skin, and thinning hair
- Bone density concerns
These symptoms are common, they are real, and they are treatable.
Your menopause treatment options
There is no single right answer. Leah will review your symptoms, medical and family history, and preferences, then walk you through the options that fit.
Hormone therapy. For many healthy women, menopausal hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal symptoms, and it also helps protect bone. It comes in several forms, including patches, gels, creams, tablets, and, for some women, individualized regimens. Learn more on our Bioidentical Hormone Therapy and Hormone Pellet Therapy pages.
Non-hormonal options. If hormones are not right for you, or you prefer to avoid them, there are prescription and lifestyle options for hot flashes, sleep, and mood.
Vaginal and urinary wellness. Genitourinary symptoms of menopause often get worse over time without treatment. Options include low-dose vaginal estrogen and non-hormonal moisturizers, and our in-office vaginal CO2 laser treatment is another option for some women. [CONFIRM LINK]
Lifestyle support. Nutrition, strength training, sleep habits, and stress management make a measurable difference, and we will help you build a plan that is realistic.
What to expect at your first visit
- A thorough consultation. We review your symptoms, cycle history, medications, and personal and family health history.
- Testing when it helps. Lab work may be useful in some situations. Menopause is often diagnosed from your symptoms and history alone, so we only test when the results will change your care.
- A personalized plan. You leave knowing your options, the benefits and risks of each, and what comes next.
- Follow-up. We check in, adjust, and make sure the plan is working for you.
Is hormone therapy safe?
It depends on you. For many healthy women who start within 10 years of menopause or before age 60, the benefits of hormone therapy generally outweigh the risks. It is not appropriate for everyone, including women with certain histories of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, or liver disease. Leah will give you an honest, individualized risk-benefit discussion.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am in menopause or perimenopause? If you are still having periods, even irregular ones, you are most likely in perimenopause. Menopause is confirmed after 12 months without a period. The symptoms overlap, and Leah can help you sort it out.
How long do menopause symptoms last? Hot flashes last an average of seven years, and for some women much longer. Vaginal and urinary symptoms tend to persist and can worsen without treatment.
Do I need blood tests? Not always. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and history. Testing is used when it will guide treatment.
Do you see patients outside Ashburn? Yes. We welcome women from Leesburg, Sterling, Broadlands, Brambleton, Stone Ridge, South Riding, Reston, and throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. [ADD OTHER AREAS, e.g., Winchester and Charles Town if relevant]
Schedule your menopause consultation
You deserve to sleep through the night, think clearly, and enjoy your life. Call 571-266-1776 or book online to schedule a visit with Leah Elk, NP, at Mountcastle Med Spa and Laser Center, 44095 Pipeline Plz, Ste 270, Ashburn, VA 20147.
Individual results vary. Treatment decisions are made together with your provider after a full evaluation.
Related pages: Perimenopause Treatment · Hot Flash & Night Sweat Treatment · Vaginal Dryness & Menopause Treatment · Menopause Weight Management · Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Learn more: The Menopause Society offers patient guides on menopause symptoms and hormone therapy, and a tool to find a healthcare practitioner.