Take a pause for Menopause ( finding the right medical practitioner, being a part of the right community and asking help when needed )

According to a survey taken by Ipsos in 2018, only 24% of Indian women visit a doctor once a year. Approximately 50% cited less often or never as their responses.

By the time you reach menopause, you have probably visited your gynecologist a few times over the years for routine check-ups. Making your current gynecologist, someone well aware of your medical history, the ideal choice for you during menopause.

Community take: “In my late 40s, it had been years since I visited a gynecologist. I had my babies in my late 20s and 30s. Now and then I would go in for a pap smear, but regular check-ins rarely happened. And here I was drenching in sweats and overnight insomnia. I thought it was something I had to go through at this age. But when I talked to my gynecologist, I felt reassured. She guided me through the expected changes in this time, and what can help me. She provided me with some supplements and asked to check back in a few months. Having someone to talk to, and know I need help has been a game-changer during perimenopause.”

With strides in telemedicine, doctors are now accessible online. So even if this means you have to find a new physician (especially if you have never consistently been to one before) there are some factors to keep in mind.

Understanding your unique menopause symptoms and how they affect your daily functioning is a first step. This can help guide your initial interviews in finding the right physician, by feeling at ease to relay your symptoms to your physician without concern of being dismissed for what you are experiencing during menopause.

If you have not visited the same gynecologist over the years, talk to your friends or peers about their experiences with their physician. You can also do some research on gynecologists specializing in menopause in your locality, making it easier for routine menopause visits. If you have a gynecologist you visit yearly, you can start discussing what to look out for during perimenopause leading to menopause. Based on your medical history your doctor can advise you on lifestyle steps for nutrition, stress, and exercise required for the transition.

A Female Founders Fund survey, highlighted 32% of their respondents experiencing a lack of confidence in the knowledge and openness of menopause discussions with their healthcare providers.

This indicates that there is still significant stigma surrounding perimenopause, and its symptoms leading up to menopause. In India, most women still believe that physical changes related to their menstrual cycles and hormones should be coped with in silence. However, universally the dialogue on menopause is progressing. Individually, if you are suffering from your symptoms seek a physician who will listen to you. You should not be dismissed for what you are experiencing as a normal part of aging.

Ideally, the right doctor will listen, be accessible, and provide individualized care to suit your unique symptoms and lifestyle for better health during menopause.

During menopause, both physical and psychological changes can impact your daily quality of life. While your doctor can guide you, it becomes vital to form a support system that is easily accessible to help you through this transitional phase.

Community participation and having a sense of community have been linked to improving quality of life and mental health, promoting healthy aging.

Whether it is a local support group, your kitty party, or an online forum, finding your safe space with women going through a similar journey can be as important as having the right physician for menopause. Such groups often provide practical advice on dealing with symptoms during menopause. This can include tips on nutrition, with local ingredients available, or even enlighten on groups meeting up for discussions.

_“ No one ever spoke to me about menopause. I thought it was something women go through in their 50s. Basically, their periods stop. When I had night sweats and started packing on weight, I was so confused. While my doctor explained these (and more changes) would happen during perimenopause, the discussion seemed so technical. When I researched online, I found a local group of women who met once a month and regularly talked about their concerns. It was that day I stopped feeling alone. I realized that talking to everyday women removes the isolation from your perimenopause symptoms. I have also received some practical tips that have worked when it comes to managing those pesky hot flashes that come in the day!”_Italic

A 2023 review of literature showcased that women forming high social support for themselves, through family, friends, and communities experienced a reduction in the severity of their psychological and urogenital menopause symptoms. A key dynamic is the increased education on menopause by both the women and their families which promotes better health outcomes during menopause.

Going through perimenopause to menopause and beyond is a long journey, which can often feel lonely if you don’t have the right support. Talking to different physicians about their experience with menopause, and openly discussing your symptoms can help you assess if your healthcare provider is right for you. Do not hesitate to take some time, while talking to several doctors before finding the right one for you. Once you reach perimenopause, start seeking and building your support system, of friends, family, and women themselves going through menopause who can help you transition into this new phase of your life.