Firstly, the article shows an immediate need for how providers approach women with
menopause preparedness. This begins with up-to-date education for patients and providers that
address the limited understanding of menopause. A lack of knowledge of menopause will often
lead to delays in recognizing women who are entering the menopause transition and can delay
their ability to receive management for the unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
Secondly, the article references the recent studies surrounding hormone therapy and
alternative treatment options. These updates to the recommendations surrounding HRT have
made it possible for patients and providers to access the most current and effective treatments
available to manage the transition into menopause. As a new provider who had a clinic rotation
with a provider who had transitioned into bioidentical hormone therapy, these changes are
particularly important to discuss with patients as I have seen firsthand how beneficial
bioidentical hormone therapy can be for pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal women. It’s
important to consider our ability to lobby for policy changes and safe practices when prescribing
HRT as bioidentical hormones continue to make their way to mainstream medicine.
The article also discussed the need for a more personalized approach to menopause care.
Not all menopausal women experience the same symptoms, nor do they enter menopause at the
same time. There are diverse needs of individuals experiencing menopause, and it needs to
involve developing tailored treatment plans that not only control their symptoms but also allow
them to feel symptom relief safely with close monitoring.
Overall, the article provided many important ideas for improving menopause care for the
specific patient population of women who need thorough and individualized care. It showed me
that this can be done through many different areas, including increasing education, lobbying and
implementing policy changes, and individualizing and personalizing treatment approaches for
