How to Find a Menopause-Literate Doctor

At age 69, a day before Christmas, I received the results of a bone density scan that would change everything. They were clear—I had borderline osteoporosis in my right hip. I had unwittingly become part of a failing system that overlooks the needs of midlife women, and I wasn’t alone.

Bone density screening is often postponed until women are well into menopause. Meanwhile, we aren’t told that estrogen deprivation can wreak havoc on our bones, heart, and body overall. This is why finding a menopause-literate doctor is non-negotiable for every woman navigating perimenopause and beyond.

Why Is It So Hard to Find a Menopause-Literate Doctor?

Most of us have experienced frustration when trying to find a doctor well-versed in menopause care. The problem stems from a deep systemic issue. Medical training often skips over menopause, leaving providers ill-prepared to meet the unique needs of midlife women. For example, one study found that only 20% of OB-GYN residency programs in the U.S. include menopause training. Combined with myths about hormone therapy and societal neglect of women’s health, this results in limited access to specialists.

What does this mean for us? It means too many of us enter menopause unaware of how severely it impacts our bones, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being. Evidence-supported sources confirm that women can lose up to 20% of their bone density within the first 5–7 years after menopause, placing them at a heightened risk of osteoporosis (source). Meanwhile, estrogen, which plays a critical role in heart health, is no longer present in protective levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease after menopause (source). Yet, few doctors talk about this.

Why Having a Menopause-Literate Doctor Matters

Having a doctor experienced in menopause care can change your life. It means access to evidence-based treatments to manage symptoms like insomnia, hot flashes, and mood changes. It means someone guiding you through screening for osteoporosis, heart disease, and other less visible risks of menopause. It means taking proactive steps to protect your health instead of reacting to preventable conditions like mine.

Without my current doctor, who is not only well-trained but also uses hormone replacement therapy herself, I might still be in the dark about my health risks. She educated me on how hormonal changes during menopause can thin bones, weaken muscles, and even compromise cognition. Not every woman needs hormone therapy, but every woman deserves options.

How to Find a Menopause-Literate Doctor

The question is, how do you find the right provider?

Here are actionable steps you can take, inspired by resources such as The Menopause Society:

Start with a Directory

Use a tool like The Menopause Society’s searchable database, which lists practitioners certified in menopause care. These are experts who have passed rigorous exams and stay up-to-date with ongoing education.

Evaluate Credentials

Understand the credentials. For example, MSCP indicates “The Menopause Society Certified Practitioner.” Beyond this, providers like MD (physicians), NP (nurse practitioners), or DO (osteopathic doctors) can all specialize in menopause, provided they’ve sought additional training.

Call and Ask Questions

Don’t choose a doctor blindly. Call their office and ask pointed questions to assess their menopause expertise. Questions might include:

“How often do you treat women in perimenopause or menopause?”

“What is your stance on hormone replacement therapy?”

“Do you have experience managing symptoms like vaginal atrophy or osteoporosis?”

“How do you decide what treatment approach is best for your patients?”

“Are you familiar with lifestyle and non-hormonal treatment options for menopause?”

Consider Telemedicine

If local options are limited, telemedicine can connect you to menopause specialists in other locations. Many certified providers now offer virtual consultations.

Trust Your Gut

Finally, trust your instincts. Your doctor should listen, respect your concerns, and treat you as an active participant in your care.

Making Menopause Care Easier and Better for Everyone

The landscape is improving. Programs like The Menopause Society certification and an increasing number of awareness campaigns are making reliable menopause care more accessible. However, we still have a long way to go. For women like me, who live in smaller towns or areas with limited specialists, the search for quality care is daunting.

Your Story Matters

I’ve shared my story because I don’t want anyone to feel as lost as I did when navigating menopause. If anything in this post resonated with you, please know you’re not alone. This is a shared struggle, but change begins when we come together.

Have you faced challenges finding a menopause-literate doctor? What’s worked for you? Share your story in the comments or on Disrupt Menopause. By sharing our experiences, we can help other women feel less alone and push for better care for all of us.