Quality & Consistent Health Care

Why. 
Perimenopausal and menopausal women have unique health care needs. One of those is being able to spend adequate time with your health care provider.  Whether it is a gynecologist, family practice doctor, internal medicine doctor, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, naturopathic physician, chiropractor or acupuncturist, don’t be afraid to inquire about their experience and expertise in hormone balance and menopause issues.    

The optimal midlife provider will take a thorough history and physical, know what testing is appropriate, be able to recommend appropriate screenings for disease risk such osteoporosis, heart disease, and breast cancer.  Additionally, your provider should be familiar with the spectrum of treatment options for perimenopause and menopause management such as:

1. Diet, exercise and stress;
2. Nutritional supplementation;
3. Botanical therapies;
4. Compounded bio-identical hormones;
5. Non compounded bio-identical hormones;
6. Synthetic and other non bio-identical hormones;
7. Additional pharmaceuticals; and
8. Other health care team members that will help you meet your health goals such as physical therapists, massage therapists, fitness experts, and nutritionists.        

What to Do.
At Women in Balance, we have provided a list of Ten Questions You should Ask Your Doctor to help you get the care you need.  In the future we will be providing a list of referrals to health professionals in your community.  But until then, things you can do right now include:

1. Interview your provider; 
   
   
2. Attend community education sessions that deal with perimenopause/menopause issues and personally speak with presenters to understand the providers that are knowledgeable within the community; and
   
   
3. Talk with other women in the community that are receiving comprehensive midlife care.
   
   
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