Know Your Numbers in Midlife and Beyond
You want to live a long, strong, healthy, and independent life and have just found a menopause care expert to add to your healthcare team. Have a plan and stay focused before your initial consultation. Make sure that you are clear with the front desk that this is a time for you to ask questions about navigating menopause, prevention of chronic disease states, and building a roadmap towards your wellness vision.
5 Questions To Ask Your Doctor During Your Initial Consultation
1. What are the most important health markers we should be monitoring for me at this stage of life?
This invites you and your doctor to discuss the specific labs and screenings that matter most for you, such as assessing your cardiovascular risk, metabolic health, bone density, and inflammation. A menopause care expert should order a full sex hormone, thyroid, metabolic, lipid, nutrient, and liver and kidney panel. Discussions assessing bone health through a DEXA scan, if you are current with your colonoscopy and breast exams, should all be brought up. It also opens the door for a conversation about how often those markers should be checked. Family history and genetics matter here. Referrals may be established after results are in.
2. Based on my health history and my past labs, what are the biggest health risks I should be paying attention to over the next 10–20 years?
Lab trends matter, and new doctors don’t always ask for past labs. Be proactive, and share your past labs in their portal before your appointment. The new doctor can review them before you get there, or with you. This helps shift the discussion toward prevention. Women are at increased risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, and metabolic disease, and those risks can often be addressed early with the right strategies.
3. How does post-menopause affect my long-term health, and are there steps I should be taking now to protect my heart, bones, brain, and metabolic health?
Many doctors focus primarily on symptoms. Post-menopause is a time to hone in on strategies to prevent and reduce risk. This question brings the conversation to long-term health consequences and prevention. It’s not just about today- it’s about building a plan for the future, too.
4. Are there lifestyle changes that would improve my health markers right now?
The doctor may not be well-versed in nutrition, stress management, exercise, or sleep, but if they are a menopause care expert, they’ve been exposed through advanced training on how lifestyle supports wellness. You already know they have a referral system in place because you asked that question before making the appointment. See my 5 Questions to ask any physician's office here. You may be interested in speaking with a sex therapist, health coach, dietician, or fitness professional, and now is the time to ask.
5. If something in my labs or symptoms changes, what should we be watching for, and how would we address it early?
This question establishes a plan and partnership, helping you understand what to monitor and when to follow up. Many doctors do not like to jump ahead and answer the “what if’s”. This is your time, and you want to know the options. You deserve a plethora of options, even if they are not needed in that moment. This comes down to personal choice. Be proactive and ask the questions.
I have coached hundreds of women to become better advocates for themselves. They get questions answered, are clear on their options, and leave with a plan, next steps, and clarity, making them feel more confident in their health journey. You can, too. If you need help, schedule your complimentary 30-minute consultation today.