I recently heard a news story on National Public Radio about how a handful of states are finally beginning to pass legislation that encourages or even requires medical education to provide training about menopause. This may not sound particularly revolutionary; however, considering the millions of women who experience
“Thirteen states, including California, have introduced a total of 21 bills [related to menopause] this legislative session, which is pretty stunning actually for an issue that really wasn’t on any legislator’s radar, certainly three years ago,” said Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, who runs the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center at New York University and tracks menopause bills.”
Several of those bills also encourage, if not require, continuing education for physicians about standards and guidelines for caring for patients who are perimenopausal and menopausal.
I have been a social worker and psychotherapist in the field of reproductive health across the lifespan for over thirty five years, including countless women who have received negligent care (or worse, zero care) for their peri/menopausal symptoms, such as:
- hot flashes
- mood swings
- insomnia
- night sweats
- brain fog
- anxiety
- diminishing libido
- depression
- irritability
- hormonal migraines
For a long time, it was “industry standard” to simply prescribe Prozac or another SSRI medication, rather than inquiring further and exploring more thorough resources and treatment. Integrative practitioners like acupuncturists, functional medicine providers and naturopaths have been providing menopause care for those who can afford to pay out of pocket. Thankfully there are clinics, group practices and start ups such as Midi Health that now specifically offer perimenopause and menopause care. Sleep specialists and gynecologists are finally collaborating to research the connection between insomnia, sleep apnea and perimenopause.
Self help wellness culture has also joined the peri/menopause cause, which on one hand has been enormously helpful in breaking the silence for women and non-binary people who have been suffering in isolation. On the other hand, the commodification of peri/menopause has already gotten a bit out of hand. Omisade Burney-Scott, founder of the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause, has spoken openly about her decision to divest from “the menopausal landscape:”
“Although mainstream discussions about menopause are expanding and fostering important conversations, they often remain narrow. This limited perspective not only contradicts our values but also contributes to the further erasure of marginalized voices and experiences.”
There is no one right or wrong way to experience perimenopause or menopause. Each body is unique, and high quality health care and support resources should be available to everyone. We also need community based systems of care and support given the current political climate and the defunding/dismantling of health care systems.
I’m honored to offer supportive psychotherapy, care management and spiritual support for women and non-binary people across the lifespan, including perinatal, postpartum, perimenopausal and menopause.