Before puberty, we give our collective daughters the low-down on their period and outfit them with fresh underwear, pads, ibuprofen. We tell them how to use these tools. When women get pregnant, we celebrate this. We invest in helping them know what to expect when they are expecting.
But what about midlife, when whispers of menopause start to creep in?
What celebration or preparation happens for this stage?
Not much.
When it comes to menopause, we allow women to be blindsided.
As new symptoms appear, we may question whether they’re even “real”.
Months (even years) may pass before we even realize that a transition is underway.
”Ahhh…” we sigh. “Now I get why I’m not feeling like myself.”
This knowing brings some relief but it’s not enough: many women move through this multi-symptom journey unprepared and unsupported by our healthcare system.
This stops now.
We are here to give you an anticipatory care package for the menopause transition and beyond.
This article is all about how to curate a Healthy Aging Check-up with your doctor - so that you can keep your heart healthy, your bones strong and your mind sharp. Like pregnancy and menstruation, menopause introduces profound changes to our body, mind and spirit. And we believe that every woman should have a dedicated appointment to prepare and respond to this transition.
Tips for a healthy aging check-up
Book a Dedicated Midlife Health Doctor’s Appointment (Age 40+)
1. Focus
Menopausal symptoms are important and complex, make it the one and only priority for your appointment.
2. Plan
Tell the receptionist what you are coming in for.
3. Pause
Give some thought to which symptoms are bothering you most. Is it hot flashes? Sleep difficulty? Brain fog? Pain with sex? Focus on your top three, knowing that you can always book a follow up appointment.
“There are 30+ menopause symptoms - it’s ok if you need multiple visits,” says Lume’s Dr. Sarah Naomi Shaw.
4. Goal
Tell your doctor what you are hoping for. Is it more information? Hormone treatment? Non medication options? Resources to better understand?
5. Maintain & Reassess
Your medical plan should be reassessed for side effects and effectiveness. Expect tweaks to your medical plan during follow up appointments: most medications and lifestyle changes take 1-3 months for a good therapeutic trial. Medical plans should be shared decision-making between patient and health care provider and subject to change as your health and needs change. Reassess medications annually.
