The Women’s Medicine Collaborative’s Menopause Consultation Program offers consultative services specifically for women experiencing menopausal concerns. We will maintain close contact with your health care providers to ensure collaboration and continuity of care. We take a holistic approach to help you achieve optimal health during this time of life.
Every woman is unique and has a different menopause experience. Some women have very few symptoms, while others have issues that affect the quality of their daily lives. We offer individualized care based on your personal symptoms. We work with each patient to develop a treatment plan to address symptoms and foster a healthy lifestyle for the future, and are happy to collaborate with your health care providers in the management of your menopausal symptoms.
As part of the Women’s Medicine Collaborative, our program also gives patients convenient access to the
full array of programs and services that comprise the collaborative.
How the Menopause Consultation Program Can Help
The Menopause Consultation Program staff includes a gynecologist and nurse practitioner who are Nationally Certified Menopause Providers, specially credentialed by the North American Menopause Society, and two psychiatrists who have researched hormones and mood for more than 20 years. They
can answer questions about treatment options for a wide range of menopausal concerns, such as hot flashes, anxiety and mood changes, vaginal dryness and pain with sex, and sleep problems. Some symptoms may require referral to other specialists. In these cases we will work closely with your primary health care provider to
arrange appropriate referrals.
Many women enter the menopausal transition without knowing
what to expect. It is sometimes difficult to discern whether new symptoms are related to menopause or a medical problem. It is recommended that you discuss any changes or concerns with your health care provider. If symptoms are related to menopause, you can decide whether
they are significant enough to warrant treatment. If you have unanswered questions or wish to discuss treatment options, consider asking your health care provider to refer you to our program.
Common symptoms you may experience could include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mood swings
- Skin flushing
- Vaginal symptoms (dryness, pain with sex, vulvar discomfort)
- Concerns over changes in sexual function
We can also provide guidance for further evaluation and treatment of other symptoms that can occur during the menopausal transition.
These may include:
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Sleep disorders
When you visit us, our goal is to evaluate your menopausal symptoms, establish a personalized treatment plan, and monitor its effectiveness. We will be available to you and your health care providers to address questions and concerns that may arise, as well as provide follow-up care. For symptoms that
require referral to specialist, we are available to make recommendations.
Managing Symptoms
Treatment for menopause is highly individualized, depending on your personal experience of symptoms, your general health, and your reaction to the changes in your body and life. Generally, during the menopausal transition it helps to eat a well-balanced diet, to be sure you have sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin
D, to exercise regularly, and to stop smoking (if you are a smoker). Hormone therapy may be an option to help reduce symptoms. There are also non-hormonal and herbal remedies that can be helpful in relieving symptoms.
Given the highly varied experiences of women in this phase of life, our program helps you determine which treatment options and lifestyle changes are best for you: