Not All OB-GYNs are Menopause Experts
Phone first. Before you book your appointment with a new OB-GYN because you are seeking menopause care, you need a plan to ask important questions that are essential to forming a long-term partnership. Many women feel completely lost when it comes to finding a menopause care expert, let alone what questions to ask. Before you waste any more of your time trying to find a menopause care expert who will listen, be patient, provide you with education, and a plethora of options (because there is no one-size-fits-all approach), make sure to contact the office first and ask these five essential questions. This is how you become a better self-advocate for your health.
Here are 5 questions to ask before booking your appointment.
1. Does the physician you are considering have specific training or certification in menopause care?
Ask whether the clinician has advanced menopause training, such as certification through organizations like the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
Why it matters:
Many OB-GYNs receive limited menopause training during residency. Certification or focused training often signals deeper expertise and understanding of the nuances and options involved in menopause care.
2. What percentage of the physician’s practice focuses on menopause or midlife women?
You want to know whether menopause care is a central part of their work or just occasional. Is the medical practice more focused on fertility and pregnancy? Do they have one or two menopause care experts on their team, showing that they support the entire life cycle of a woman?
Why it matters:
Providers who regularly treat midlife women are more familiar with complex symptoms, prevention of chronic disease, and evolving treatment options.
3. What is the physician’s approach to menopause treatment options?
Ask whether they discuss hormone therapy, non-hormonal therapies, prevention, and lifestyle strategies. Do they offer menopause hormone therapy, such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and lab testing to monitor absorption rates? Many practices don’t look at extensive labs, which may include full sex hormone, thyroid, and metabolic markers. Testosterone is often left out of the mix, which you want included. Do they ask about sexual health, function, and pleasure? I can’t tell you how many women I work with who tell me that their doctor has never asked them about their sex life.
Why it matters:
You want a physician who is open to individualized care and willing to discuss the full range of topics and options rather than dismissing symptoms or offering a one-size-fits-all solution.
4. How much time is typically scheduled for a menopause consultation?
Ask how long the first visit lasts and whether menopause visits allow more time for discussion. Do you need to book an initial consultation AND a separate menopause care appointment? Can you schedule this all at once? Are there telehealth options available as follow-ups? This is important, especially if you are short on time and need a follow-up to labs. You don’t always need to go to the clinic, sit in the waiting room, and wait. You value efficiency and follow-through.
Why it matters:
Menopause appointments often require longer conversations about symptoms, risks, lifestyle, and treatment choices.
5. Does the practice work collaboratively with other specialists when needed?
Does this potential physician have a wide referral network of pelvic floor specialists, preventive cardiologists, bone health specialists, health coaches for lifestyle support, therapists, sex therapists, and fitness professionals? Do they have a connection to their community of helpers? This shows how motivated they are to help women in a more holistic approach, as well as a medical approach.
Why it matters:
During this second act, women need to build a healthcare team that supports all of their goals. Medically, physically, emotionally, and biologically. No one physician can be expected to know it all, and those who do are not the right partner to have.
If the search for the right menopause care expert has left you feeling frustrated or unheard, know that you have more power than you may realize. By learning about menopause, asking thoughtful questions, and advocating for yourself, you can shift from being a passive participant in your healthcare to becoming the empowered driver of your own health journey. Schedule your complimentary consultation today and learn how working with me can help you move forward in your quest to thrive in midlife and beyond. It’s never too late to start.