Menopause happens to all women at some point in their lives. Even though it is a normal and natural process, there is still a gap in knowledge surrounding menopause — nearly half of women surveyed globally in 20231 did not feel informed about menopause. Additionally, healthcare professionals, including OB/GYNs, do not have any mandatory training in menopause.2
The good news is that there are doctors and other healthcare professionals who seek out specialized training and certifications in menopause.
Why find a doctor that specializes in menopause?
According to AARP, three out of four women who talk to their doctor about menopausal symptoms do not get the help they need3-finding a practitioner that does specialize in menopause could make a difference.4 Certain types of healthcare professionals may have menopause training or certifications, including OB/GYNs, primary care MDs, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and others.
Some advantages to working with a practitioner with specialized training are that they can:
- Help you understand what symptoms can be attributed to hormonal changes caused by menopause
- Offer relief of symptoms with a personalized treatment plan
- Normalize and validate what you’re experiencing
If you are currently looking for a clinician to help you with menopause, we have compiled a list of resources below.5
Resource #1 – Search for Certified Menopause Practitioner from the North American Menopause Society
- Cost: Free to use
- Doctor cost: Pricing will vary
- Location: International
The leading nonprofit organization committed to women’s health throughout menopause is the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Members are clinical and scientific experts from different areas of healthcare. They developed a certification exam for any licensed healthcare provider to become a Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMPs).
While their main focus is North America, healthcare professionals from around the world have become NCMPs and can be found on their website.
Resource #2 – Ask for a professional referral
- Cost: Free
- Doctor cost: Pricing will vary
- Location: Where you are
Ask who you know!
Whether it’s your primary care physician, your psychotherapist, or another licensed healthcare professional that you know, ask them if they can refer you to a provider who has specialized training or certifications in menopause care.
Also ask friends and family if they know any professionals who can help you or may be able to point you in the right direction.
Additionally, you can also try reaching out to a local university’s OB/GYN department. Contact the department and see if they can recommend a provider near you.
Resource #3 – Try a telemedicine visit with Gennev
- Cost: Free to use
- Doctor cost: Starts at $75
- Location: USA
There are now companies that provide virtual menopause-specific care. In the USA, our partner, Gennev, has a doctor in every state. It is very easy to get started with Gennev. When you arrive at their site, click any button that says “Book virtual visit”.
You’ll need to create a free account. Once you complete that process and login, you can book an appointment with a doctor that specializes in menopause in your state.
One helpful resource within the Gennev site is a “Menopause Assessment” that you can take and retake at any time. It walks you through a series of questions and then provides you with a full report on where you most likely are in your menopause journey, what symptoms you are experiencing, and how much those symptoms are affecting your quality of life.
Resource #4 – Apps with physicians available
If you’re in the USA, you can use apps that may include symptom tracking, assessments, ways to book doctor appointments, direct doctor messaging, and more.
- Cost: $29/3mo or $75/yr
- Doctor cost: Pricing will vary
- Location: USA
This highly regarded app is associated with the Mayo Clinic. Once you have a subscription, you can request an appointment with a menopause specialist from the Mayo Clinic. The app also uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create personalized education and resources tailored to you.
- Cost: $49/mo or $348/yr
- Location: USA
- Messaging: Unlimited messages with a board certified menopause specialist
With investors like Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz, Evernow has crafted an easy-to-use experience. The app offers more personalized care if you use it as a daily symptom tracker. The only communication between you and your doctor is through secure messaging.
There are more and more menopause apps popping up everyday. If you’re considering using any, be sure to scrutinize as many aspects as you can to be sure your health information is safe and that you’ll be getting what you’re looking for as far as education, community, professional guidance, etc.
We hope this post helps you find a healthcare provider that specializes in menopause. While this part of life is normal and natural, unfortunately most doctors receive little to no training about it. Thankfully, if you’re just entering menopause there are more options available to you than ever before.
Sources:
- National Library of Medicine: An online survey of postmenopausal women to determine their attitudes and knowledge of the menopause, 2023.
- Science Direct: Menopause and healthcare professional education: A scoping review, 2022.
- AARP: What Doctors Don’t Know About Menopause, 2018.
- Duke Health: Why You Should Seek Care from a Menopause Specialist, 2020.
- Well+Good: Only 1 in 5 Gynecologists Are Trained in Menopause—Here’s When To Consider a New Doctor, 2021.
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