Menopause Consultation Services
Most women will live a third of their lives after menopause and most of them find this time to be productive and healthy. Although the transition through menopause is not a disease, it does cause symptoms for some women. In addition, this obvious physical milestone presents midlife women with the opportunity to assess their lives and overall health. With the changing evidence regarding hormone therapy and the many alternatives available, a visit to Harvard Vanguard Menopause Consultation Services can assist women in making informed choices for optimal management of this life stage.
Transitioning through menopause is a milestone in every woman’s life, bringing physical, psychological and social changes. Many women have questions about or personal preferences for managing these changes. Menopause Consultation Services works with women to address these questions and manage difficulties.
We can help you with changes in:
- mood or libido
- the way you feel about yourself
- your overall health
We can review and address individual needs with:
- standard and alternative therapies to treat menopausal and peri-menopausal symptoms
- nutrition and exercise to minimize health risks
- overall support
What Does Menopause Consultation Services Offer?
Sometimes menopause presents problems and issues outside the scope of the typical primary care practice. A menopause consultation appointment will give a woman the opportunity to review her medical history and overall health in this context. We will address questions and difficulties related to both menopause and perimenopause. With particular attention to women's concerns, we will make a plan for menopause management and communicate it to her referring clinicians. We will be available to consult as the treatment plan needs adjustment.
Menopause Consultation Clinicians
Menopause Consultation Services is staffed by a gynecologist, Marcie Richardson, MD, and two nurse practitioners, Mary Fischer, NP and Wendy Root, NP. All have special interest and training in the areas of menopause and women's health.
The Menopause Consultation unit has access to mental health specialists, physical therapists and nutritionists with experience in caring for midlife women as well as endocrinologists with expertise in osteoporosis.
Who Should Request a Menopause Consultation?
Many women will experience perimenopause and menopause and not need specialized medical care. Examples of situations for which a woman and her clinician may want to consider a referral are:
- Women who are having a difficult menopause and for whom the best therapy to manage symptoms is not clear.
- Women with serious mood problems who are having difficulty sorting out the role of hormones.
- Women with osteoporosis or risks for osteoporosis who need to sort out their therapeutic options.
- Women who feel strongly about using alternative therapies for menopause symptoms.
- Women who might benefit from hormone therapy but need a comprehensive discussion of their individual risks and benefits.
- Women who need hormone therapy adjustment or would like to taper.
- Women experiencing low libido in the setting of menopause.
- Women with premature menopause.