Midlife

The midlife, peri-menopause and menopause transition are formative and powerful moments in a persons life. As a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) I am here to empower you through these transitions. These moments are not an end, but rather a new beginning filled with vitality, comfort, and pleasure. Together, we will navigate this phase of life with compassion and evidence-based care, ensuring you embrace every step with confidence.

All About Menopause

Menopause is a natural, multidimensional transition marked by 12 months of amenorrhea, typically occurring between ages 45 and 55, but with significant individual variation in timing, symptoms, and impact. The transition begins with perimenopause, characterized by menstrual irregularity and fluctuating hormone levels, and can last for several years. Symptoms, including vasomotor (hot flashes, night sweats), genitourinary (vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse), mood changes,brain fog, sleep disturbance, and cognitive shifts, vary widely in intensity and duration, and may persist for years into post-menopause.

Menopause affects physical, emotional, cognitive, and sexual health, and its experience is shaped by genetic, ethnic, and social factors. The hormonal changes, declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, can lead to bone loss, increased cardiovascular risk, and changes in metabolic health. Despite affecting roughly half of the population at some point, menopause has historically been overlooked or pathologized in medical research and care, often viewed through a lens of gender bias that minimizes the significance and overlooks diverse experiences. Importantly, menopause is not a disease but a normal life stage, and care should be individualized, inclusive, and affirming, recognizing the diversity of experiences.

Empowerment and evidence-based support are central to optimal menopause care. Many people benefit from compassionate listening, validation, and access to unbiased information. For those with bothersome symptoms, treatment options include lifestyle interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, non-hormonal medications, and, when appropriate, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), which is the most effective for vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms. Shared decision-making and respect for individual goals are essential.

In summary, menopause is a powerful and unique stage of life deserving of compassionate, expert, and personalized care that honors each individual's story and supports their health and well-being.

Physical Symptoms

Breast tenderness
Fatigue
Dry skin
Hair loss/texture changes
Headaches and/or migraines
Heart palpitations
Hot flashes (vasomotor)
Night sweats (vasomotor)
Joint pain
Period changes
Sleep issues
Weight gain

Vaginal / Sexual / Urinary Symptoms

(Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, GSM)

Low libido (low sex drive)
Painful sex
Urinary incontinence
Urinary leaks
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Vaginal/vulva dryness
Urinary frequency and urgency

Cognitive Symptoms

Brain fog
Forgetfulness
Impaired short-term memory
Inability to focus
Inattentiveness
Poor word retrieval

Mood Symptoms

‍Anxiety (increased worry)

Difficulty concentrating
Feeling not yourself
Impatience
Irritability
Low motivation or energy
Mood swings
Sleep issues
Tearfulness

Personalized Care

Expert Menopause Support

At Empower Health & Hormones, we prioritize your well-being. Our approach to menopause care is tailored to your unique needs. Jess follows evidence-based practices recommended by leading organizations like The Menopause Society (formally the North American Menopause Society) and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH). We are dedicated to providing individualized care plans to support you through this important phase of life.

We integrate the biopsychosocial model recognizing that physical, emotional, relational, and societal factors all influence how menopause is experienced and managed. We are here to guide you through each aspect of care with respect and intention.

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How We Support Menopause Wellness

Our menopause care model is designed to support you as a whole person, combining medical expertise with holistic guidance to help you feel your best through every stage of menopause.

Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT): Customized hormone regimens using estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone to reduce symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, and to support long-term health including bone and heart health. Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for many menopause symptoms and is tailored to your unique needs, health history, and preferences. We use FDA-approved options and regularly review your treatment to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Mental Health Support: Menopause can bring changes in mood, sleep, and emotional wellbeing. We provide referrals to trusted therapists for counseling, support with life transitions, and help managing anxiety or depression. Evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can improve mood and resilience during menopause.
Nutritional Counseling: Functional and nutritional guidance to support metabolism, bone strength, heart health, and hormonal balance. We focus on healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, and key nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and protein to help prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Exercise and Movement Therapy: Physical activity is essential for joint health, muscle strength, bone density, and emotional wellbeing. We educate you on safe and effective exercise options, including strength training, walking, and tailored movement therapies to help maintain bone and muscle health and boost your mood
Pelvic Floor Therapy Referrals: We can connect you with experienced pelvic floor physical therapists to address bladder issues, pain with intimacy, and core strength. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can improve symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), such as urinary urgency, incontinence, and vaginal discomfort.
Sexual Health & Intimacy Support: Menopause can affect sexual desire, comfort, and intimacy. We offer tools, therapies, and counseling referrals to help you reclaim intimacy and address concerns like vaginal dryness or pain. FDA-approved treatments, including vaginal estrogen, DHEA, and ospemifene, are available for moderate to severe symptoms.

Our approach is collaborative and empowering. We listen to your experiences, respect your values, and work with you to create a care plan that fits your life. Whether you need medical treatment, lifestyle guidance, or emotional support, we are here to help you thrive during menopause and beyond.

Non-Hormonal Menopause Care

At Empower Health & Hormones, we know that hormone therapy is not the right fit for everyone. Whether you have personal reasons, medical history, or health conditions that make hormone therapy unsafe, you deserve menopause care that matches your needs and values.

That’s why we offer a wide range of non-hormonal, evidence-based options to help you feel your best during menopause:

Lifestyle support: We help you optimize nutrition, sleep, and movement to support your overall health and comfort.
Targeted supplements: For bone, brain, skin, hair, and heart health, we discuss options like calcium and vitamin D, but we only recommend supplements with proven benefits.
Non-hormonal medications: If you have hot flashes or night sweats, we offer FDA-approved treatments such as fezolinetant (Veozah), as well as other options like SSRIs/SNRIs (paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine), gabapentin, and oxybutynin. These can help reduce symptoms for many people.
Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants: For vaginal dryness or discomfort, we recommend hormone-free moisturizers and silicone-based lubricants. Ospemifene (Osphena) is also available for moderate to severe vaginal dryness and pain with intimacy.
Mental health support: We offer help for mood changes, anxiety, and emotional transitions, including counseling and therapy.
Mind-body practices: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnosis are proven to help with hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood shifts. These can be done in groups, individually, or even through self-help resources.
Pelvic floor physical therapy: For bladder symptoms or discomfort, pelvic floor exercises and therapy can help improve strength and control.

We believe in supporting your choices and empowering you to find the menopause care that works for you. Our team is here to guide you through all available options, so you can make informed decisions about your health and well-being.

If you have questions or want to learn more about any of these treatments, please reach out. We are committed to helping you feel comfortable, confident, and cared for during every stage of menopause.

Why it Matters:

Beyond Comfort

Menopause is a natural part of life, but untreated or under-supported symptoms can affect your health in ways that go beyond daily comfort. Getting the right support during menopause can help lower your risk for several long-term health problems, including:

Heart disease: Changes in hormones can increase your risk for heart and blood vessel problems.
Osteoporosis: Lower estrogen levels can lead to weaker bones and a higher chance of fractures.
Muscle and joint changes: You may notice more aches, pains, or changes in strength.
Cognitive changes: Some women experience memory problems or trouble focusing, though hormone therapy is not recommended just for these symptoms.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM): This includes vaginal dryness, discomfort, and bladder changes that can increase risks for UTI and associated complications.
Vasomotor symptoms: Hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt sleep and quality of life.

Hormone therapy for menopause can offer important health benefits for many women. When prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional, hormone therapy can:

Relieve hot flashes and night sweats
Improve vaginal dryness and comfort
Help prevent bone loss and lower the risk of osteoporosis
Support overall quality of life[1-10]

At Empower Health & Hormones, we help you explore all your options safely and confidently. We work with you to create a personalized care plan that fits your needs, values, and health goals. Whether you choose hormone therapy or non-hormonal treatments, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Experience the Difference

Empower Health & Hormones delivers personalized, informed, and innovative menopause care by centering each patient’s experience, values, and health goals. Care is grounded in an empowerment model, where clinicians listen with empathy, validate individual experiences, and provide unbiased, evidence-based information to support informed decision-making and self-management.

Innovative care at Empower Health & Hormones also means challenging stigma, promoting positive narratives about menopause, and supporting patients desires for education and self-management. We foster a supportive environment that respects diversity and encourages open discussion, helping patients navigate menopause as a healthy, transformative life stage rather than a period of decline.

In summary, Empower Health & Hormones provides comprehensive, patient-centered menopause care that is evidence-based, collaborative, and future-focused—empowering individuals to make informed choices and achieve optimal health throughout the menopause transition.