What Kind of Doctor Treats Menopause Symptoms?

While all women will experience menopause in some capacity, more than 70% report never treating symptoms triggered by their shifting hormones, like hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings, and more.^1,2 

Fortunately, management options do exist— and getting acquainted with a doctor or healthcare provider that offers treatment options for menopause symptoms can make all the difference between either suffering through this transitional period or managing common menopause symptoms effectively. 

A question among women approaching menopause is often, “what type of doctor treats menopause and its symptoms?” Getting started in finding a provider may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this post, we’ll help narrow down the types of physicians who can help treat menopause and its symptoms, as well as outline why getting your symptoms under control is beneficial for supporting your overall health.

It’s More Than Just Hot Flashes – It’s Quality of Life

Shifting hormones associated with menopause may cause uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and more, which is why identifying a healthcare provider is critical. They can assess your overall health, while helping to get your symptoms under control to get you feeling more like yourself again.

Reaching out to a physician for help during menopause offers benefits in more ways than just symptom specific relief. 

The declining estrogen levels experienced during menopause can also increase a woman’s risk for more serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and other chronic conditions.³ And while the root of menopause symptoms is hormonal, chronic health problems associated with low levels of estrogen may require a multidisciplinary approach to managing their severity – and often involves medical specialists.^4,5 For example, a reduction in bone density (osteoporosis) may entail the help from an endocrinologist, while developing heart disease may necessitate an appointment with a cardiologist.

What Type of Doctor Treats Menopause?

While different types of doctors treat menopause and its symptoms, physician credentials may vary in specialty, knowledge, and approach. Physicians who help to manage menopause and its symptoms may include: 

●     Primary Care Physician - Primary care providers often act as a patient’s “gateway” to the healthcare system.⁶ Not only can PCPs offer guidance on lifestyle changes and prescription medications, but they can also connect you with specialists who are more well-versed in the needs of women navigating menopause. Women who are currently established with a PCP can make an appointment to discuss their symptoms; referrals can then be made to more specialized physicians for symptom management, if needed.⁷

●     Gynecologist - Gynecologists specialize in conditions associated with the female reproductive system. Gynecologists can not only offer menopause symptom management options and support, but they can also offer guidance on necessary wellness exams and screenings (breast, pelvic, Pap smears, etc.).⁸ Gynecologists are also well-versed on cancers that affect women, including those that tend to pop up more often with age and shifting hormone levels.⁹

●     Endocrinologist - Endocrinologists specialize in hormone-related conditions.¹⁰ While endocrinologists treat many other hormonal issues unrelated to menopause, they can also help women pinpoint and gain control over certain disruptive menopause symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, irritability, and more.¹¹ 

The above list also encompasses the types of doctors and physicians that can assist postmenopausal women with symptom management, as occasionally this group may still experience menopause symptoms, albeit milder ones.¹²

How Certified Menopause Practitioners Can Offer Treatment for Menopause

While the physicians listed above are able to help women find solutions to manage their menopause symptoms, finding a healthcare provider who specializes in menopause, specifically, may be even more effective.

Certified Menopause Practitioners are medical professionals who have undergone additional education and training on menopause and receive a specialized accreditation.¹³ They can be physicians in a number of different specialties who have earned the credential as a Certified Menopause Practitioner by passing an exam administered by The Menopause Society— an independent, non-profit, evidence-based resource and organization for healthcare professionals —and fulfilling recertification requirements every three years.^14,15

Women looking for a Certified Menopause Practitioner can browse The Menopause Society’s CMP directory, which is a database of providers with varying credentials and specialties. 

You Don’t Have to Navigate Menopause Alone

While transitioning through menopause can feel isolating, you should never feel that you need to struggle in silence. Knowing what doctor or healthcare provider can help manage your menopause symptoms is the first step. 

Resources:

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/debgordon/2021/07/13/73-of-women-dont-treat-their-menopause-symptoms-new-survey-shows/
2. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bonafide-releases-state-of-menopause-study-to-understand-symptoms-treatments--dispositions-of-menopausal-women-in-2021-301326568.html
3. https://womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-and-your-health
4. https://physicians.dukehealth.org/articles/certified-menopause-practitioners-offer-advanced-treatment-options
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10060660/
6. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-primary-care-physician
7. https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/why-you-should-seek-care-menopause-specialist#
8. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24489-gynecologist
9. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/FOH-menopause-cancer.h20-1589835.html#:~:text=Starting%20menopause%20after%20age%2055,the%20uterus%20and%20breast%20tissue.
10. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22691-endocrinologist
11. https://www.rush.edu/news/five-reasons-see-endocrinologist
12. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21837-postmenopause
13. https://menopause.org/patient-education/choosing-a-healthcare-practitioner
14. https://physicians.dukehealth.org/articles/certified-menopause-practitioners-offer-advanced-treatment-options
15. https://menopause.org