Many OB-GYNs find their views on perimenopause and menopause change once they experience these transitions themselves. Even with medical training, the symptoms can be surprising and harder to recognize than expected.

As women’s health clinicians, we understand the common challenges of this stage of life. Hot flashes, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, mood changes, weight gain, and trouble concentrating can affect daily routines in ways that many women do not expect. When these symptoms happen to us, we gain a new appreciation for how disruptive they can feel.

Empathy through shared experience

This shared experience helps us better support our patients. When someone forgets the date of her last period or feels unsure about hormone therapy because of her family history, we understand those concerns on both a medical and personal level.

Menopause is natural, but it is not always easy. Many women are managing careers, caring for children or aging parents, and trying to stay healthy while their bodies shift in ways they cannot control. The emotional side of menopause can be just as challenging as the physical symptoms.

Building a dedicated support system

These are some of the reasons Hoag created its new menopause program. Many of us wish support like this had existed earlier in our own journeys. The program offers dedicated menopause visits with Menopause Society Certified Practitioners who provide personalized guidance on hormone therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, sexual health, and more. Our goal is to make this transition less confusing and to ensure women feel supported, not dismissed.

The program also makes it easier to access experts when needed. Patients can be connected to cardiologists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, pelvic floor physical therapists, sex therapists, and behavioral health specialists. This coordinated approach helps women manage both symptom relief and long-term health.

Treating the whole person

In my OB-GYN practice, I work closely with women to evaluate hormone therapy options, monitor bone and heart health, and ensure appropriate cancer screening. I also help patients find emotional and psychological support when needed. My own experiences with perimenopause have reinforced how important it is to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.

Menopause changes many things, but one positive is that it allows clinicians to care with deeper understanding.

Pantea Mozayeni, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery network in Orange County, California, that treats more than 30,000 inpatients and 480,000 outpatients annually. Hoag consists of two acute-care hospitals – Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, which opened in 1952, and Hoag Hospital Irvine, which opened in 2010 – in addition to nine health centers and 13 urgent care centers.