49-year-old Jodi Miller had disturbing changes in her skin, weight, appearance, sleep patterns and menstrual bleeding. However, when she talked to her midwife, she did not get much help.Miller said: “I was told that everything I was experiencing was part of ‘change’ and that nothing could be done about it.He received a similar response from other healthcare professionals (HCPs) in theDistrict. So she searched online for healthcare professionals in the field ofobstetrics.
She came across an online clinic that catered to women going through menopause and perimenopause, the period before menopause.Reads: 3 tips for finding the best menopause treatment >>This was Miller’s first time using telehealth, so she didn’t know what to expect. But he was grateful for the attention he received. Miller said the care he received was more genuine than the attention he received inperson.
Visits are comprehensive, personal and informative. The healthcare professional listens and asks the right questions.“Our Zoom calls are more interactive than I have ever seen in person,”said. “My involvement with this telehealth service changed my life,” she said.Menopause management with telehealthMore than one million pregnant women enter menopause each year in the United States.Perimenopause and menopause symptoms may include:Vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats)Menopausal genitourinary syndrome, which includes dry penis, burning and irritation, lack of lubrication, pain during sex or penetration, urinary urgency, and urinary tract infections.
Changes in weight, sleep and weather conditionsFine hairDry skinTooth decay, dry mouth and constipationPeople going through menopause may also face serious health consequences. These include increased risk of heart disease and stroke and bone loss.Some health conditions and symptoms require physical examination or laboratory tests that must be performed in person. But women are increasingly turning to laptops and phones to access menopause appointments via telehealth. In fact, healthcare professionals can provide guidance on symptom management, prescribing medications, and identifying signs and symptoms that require personal monitoring.
Many healthcare providers now offer remote visits that may be based on regular contacts. Additionally, menopause-specific and comprehensive telehealth services for women are becoming increasingly common.These new methods may help fill the gap among community health care providers who do not know much about menopause. In a 2017 study, two in 10 medical interns surveyed said they had learned nothing about menopause during their residency. Only 7% said they were prepared to manage menopause well.
“Many healthcare providers are not as familiar with treating acne as you might think,” writes Karyn Eilber, MD, a dermatologist and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. A woman’s guide to getting to her own floor: What will happen there? ”
It is very important to find a healthcare professional who specializes in menopause because women may not recognize all the symptoms of menopause and may not know what is happening. An actual visit to a specialist may be the way to get the right information, diagnosis, and treatment.
Eilber said: “If menopause is not around you, it is better to have a telehealth consultation rather than solve the problem of mismanaging your menopausal symptoms.”
Telehealth and access to it
Facilitating telecare could also enable more women to receive care. Women in perimenopause and menopause are usually between the ages of40 and 50. This can be a very busy time for people juggling family and work responsibilities. Women who cannot make time to visit a healthcare provider in a physical office can choose to receive care at home and on their own schedule.
Lucky win for Laura Goetz, 56, a social worker living in Wisconsin.
“The convenience of telehealth near my workplace has been great,” said Goetz.
Goetz also stated that she felt that many health care providers in her district were uneducated about menopause. You can now receive higher quality medical care than ever before with telehealth.
Reads: Menopausal women should be cared for by healthcare providers >>
Telehealth has worked for Goetz so far, but he said online health care may not be suitable for everyone. Cost, technology, and language barriers may prevent some people from accessing telehealth.
“The biggest impact I see as a social worker is that many women during menopause cannot access telehealth because most providers do not accept insurance or do not have the technology necessary to perform a routine visit,” Goetz said.
Racial and other differences in menopause have been well documented over the years. Even women with health insurance may have difficulty paying out-of-pocket costs for telehealth visits.
“It’s a good thing that menopause is finally getting attention. But many women still have access to good care,” Goetz said. “I worry that high-quality menopause care is currently only available to women who have the money to pay for it individually. It seems we are failing women when they need help most,” she said. How to Choose a TeleHealth Provider for
Menopause Care?
When you decide to donate, it is important to do your research first.
Kim Langdon, M.D., an Ohio-based gynecologist who works with online healthcare providers and pharmacies. “I would choose a telehealth service that is licensed in your state, and if you have insurance, I would choose a service that accepts your insurance,” she says.
Eilber said this is a step women should take, whether they choose telehealth for menopause or something else.
“Even with telehealth, the provider must be licensed in the state where you reside legally,” Eilber said. “When it comes to menopause treatment, it is best to find someone who has experience and/or certification in menopause treatment.”
Uses: Menopause Association Search Tool Offers >>
When choosing a telehealth service, make sure they obtain a complete medical history. President of the Menopause Association and member of the Healthy Women’s Health Advisory Board, Dr. Make sure your visit includes an actual video visit, not just a robot-scanned question, says Lisa Larkin.
“See if you can find a single source to keep track of what is needed,” Larkin said.
Larkin also recommends asking these questions when choosing a telehealth service:
Can your supplier refer you to personal training if necessary? Can you fill
prescriptions anywhere, or do you have to pick them up from a telehealth provider?
Can you take notes of your visit and share them with other healthcare professionals you may see?
How much does a visit cost and does your insurance cover it?
No matter who you see, Eilber said she encourages women to take an active role in providing care.
“Women should feel free to ask the most pressing questions,” says