The midlife transition is often a difficult time for women, and unfortunately, menopause management is under-addressed in today’s healthcare setting.

Common issues resulting from the loss of ovarian hormones, especially estrogen, include:

• Hot flashes

• Sleep disturbances

• Mood changes

• Significant physical changes including, weight gain, change in body fat distribution and skin changes

Many women are also fearful of hormone therapy due largely to concerns of increased breast cancer risk. Most primary care providers are also fearful of hormone therapy and reluctant to prescribe hormone therapy due to a lack of understanding of the current data suggesting safety and benefit for most menopausal women. As a result, the vast majority of women suffer with symptoms in silence and go untreated, or alternatively, seek care in non-traditional practices and receive therapies that are not FDA approved.

Ms.Medicine clinicians are specialty trained in women’s health and apply their knowledge to help women with sexual health concerns.

Sexual health consultations include a comprehensive, personalized, one-hour visit/exam to address a variety of concerns, including: sexual pain, menopause-related sexual dysfunction, low desire, sexual dysfunction related to cancer treatment and other issues. Additional 30-minute follow-up appointments are available if needed. Any lab work ordered will be submitted to insurance for possible coverage.

Sexual health issues are extremely common in all women and yet the vast majority of women remain untreated. Patients and clinicians alike are uncomfortable addressing the sexual health concerns of women. In addition, the majority of primary care providers and OB/GYNs lack sexual health training and do not have enough time during visits to adequately address sexual health concerns. We must do more!

Ms.Medicine is passionate about raising the standard of care and advancing evidence-based sexual health care across the lifespan of all women.

Most women remember to check the annual mammogram off their to do list and forget about it for another year. An annual screening for breast cancer versus understanding personal risk of developing breast cancer are two vastly different things and many aren’t aware there is another assessment available to them.

Our practice now offers individualized breast cancer risk assessment screening to determine your risk for breast cancer – an important metric in your overall health.

Cancer survivorship consults include an evaluation for survivors, with a focus on identifying opportunities for improved wellness, appropriate screenings and late consequences of cancer treatment therapies. Consults may include (where offered), a visit with an in-house dietician (nutritionist). Additional 30-minute follow-up appointments are available if needed. Any lab work ordered will be submitted to insurance for possible coverage.