Written by Clare Widzgowski
A menopause specialist is a healthcare provider that is certified in giving perimenopause and menopause specific care. While seeing a menopause specialist is not the only way to receive care, here are 3 reasons why seeing a menopause specialist is super helpful.
- Expertise in Menopause
While you can go to your OB-GYN, internal medicine or general practitioner doctor with your menopause questions and concerns, they may not be adequately prepared to help you. A 2019 Mayo Clinic study found that only 6.8% of medical residents felt comfortable providing menopause care.
Menopause specialists have received specific and extensive training in hormonal changes, symptoms and health changes associated with menopause. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is the body that gives the official credentials of NCMP, NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner, to medical professionals who wish to provide those services.. They are required to remain up to date on the latest treatment and research to provide thorough, evidence-based care.
- Menopause Symptom Management
Even though your symptoms may be common for women in perimenopause and menopause, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t seek medical attention. A Yale University review found that only 60% of women with menopausal symptoms seek medical care and less than 25% of them receive treatment. It can be uncomfortable to discuss certain symptoms with your medical provider such as low libido or vaginal dryness, but your menopause specialist is well-versed in these topics and can provide assistance.
- Long-term Health Monitoring
Menopause causes changes in the body that are associated with other health conditions like osteoporosis, hypertension, cholesterol disorders and diabetes. Estrogen also acts as a key neuroprotective factor, meaning that it keeps your brain health in check. Declining estrogen levels leaves the brain more vulnerable to brain aging and dementia. Engaging with a menopause specialist trained in estrogen’s involvement with these long-term health conditions will help with early screening and preventative medicine.
Overall, seeing a menopause specialist can provide specialized expertise, personalized care and comprehensive management of menopause symptoms and other conditions related to menopause. Use the NAMS provider search here to find a certified menopause specialist near you.
Disclaimer: At It’sFetch.co we strive to provide valuable and reliable health information through our blog. We believe in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. However, it is important to understand that the content on our blog is not intended to replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified medical professional.
Sources:
Find A Menopause Practitioner. North American Menopause Society (NAMS). (n.d.). https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx
Kling, J. M., MacLaughlin, K. L., Schnatz, P. F., Crandall, C. J., Skinner, L. J., Stuenkel, C. A., … & Faubion, S. S. (2019, February). Menopause management knowledge in postgraduate family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology residents: a cross-sectional survey. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 94, No. 2, pp. 242-253). Elsevier.
Roth, B. (2020, October 21). Why you should seek care from a menopause specialist. Duke Health. https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/why-you-should-seek-care-menopause-specialistWolff, J. (2018). Doctors don’t know how to treat menopause symptoms. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2018/menopause-symptoms-doctors-relief-treatment.html
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