Menopause is a primary-care issue
Menopause can affect how you feel day to day, but it also sits inside the larger picture of your health.
It belongs in the regular conversation.
Perimenopause and menopause can bring hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, vaginal and urinary symptoms, changes in bleeding, and other concerns. I want patients to be able to bring those questions to primary care rather than treating menopause as something separate from the rest of their health.
Treatment is individualized.
Hormone therapy can be very effective for some menopausal symptoms, but the right choice depends on your symptoms, medical history, family history, preferences, and the balance of benefits and risks. Nonhormonal options are also available.
The conversation should be specific to you. It should also leave room for everything else we are paying attention to: bone health, cardiovascular risk, sleep, sexual health, exercise, mood, and preventive care.
I am wary of turning menopause into a marketplace.
There is a lot of information—and a lot of marketing—around menopause. I would rather start with what you are experiencing, what the evidence supports, and what you actually want help with.
Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: The Menopause Years
This article is general educational information, not individual medical advice. What is appropriate for you depends on your history and circumstances.