This is one of the most common things women say when they come in, and it makes complete sense. You want answers, and a blood test feels like a concrete place to start. The honest truth is that for most women, perimenopause and menopause are clinical diagnoses. What that means is that the diagnosis is based primarily on your symptoms, your age, and your menstrual history. In most cases, there is not a lab result that can make the diagnosis definitively. Hormone levels fluctuate so much during the perimenopause transition that a single blood draw often tells us very little. A normal result on your hormone panel does not mean you are not in perimenopause, and an abnormal one does not automatically mean you are. This is very confusing and many of Dr. Simmons’ patients tell him they have been discouraged by lab testing in the past that came back normal when they felt anything but normal. That said, labwork can still be useful in certain situations, and Dr. Simmons will order it when it actually helps. But if you come in expecting a number to give you the answer, it is worth knowing upfront that the conversation you have in the office is usually far more informative than the lab report.

It is a credential awarded by The Menopause Society, which is the leading professional organization in the field of menopause medicine. This is awarded to healthcare providers who pass a rigorous competency examination covering menopause, perimenopause, hormone therapy, and related midlife health concerns. The exam is not easy, and not every provider bothers to pursue it. Earning the MSCP designation means a provider has gone out of their way to develop specialized, up-to-date knowledge in this area beyond whatever their original medical training included. Dr. Simmons is the only provider in the New Braunfels area who holds this credential according to the Menopause Society directory (https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx)

The list is longer than most people expect, which is part of why so many women go years without realizing what is happening to them. Common symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, brain fog and memory lapses, mood changes, anxiety or irritability, fatigue, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, joint aches, heart palpitations, and changes to hair and skin. Not every woman experiences all of these, and symptoms can come and go unpredictably, sometimes disappearing for months and then returning. If several of these sound familiar and you are in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s, perimenopause may well be what you are dealing with. It is worth discussing with an informed doctor.

No! But it is the most effective option for most women, and it is safe for the vast majority of patients when prescribed appropriately. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of hormone therapy, or if there are medical reasons it is not right for you, Dr. Simmons can walk you through all of the other options available. There is no one-size-fits-all answer for anything in life or medicine, and the goal is always to find an approach that fits your situation, your health history, and what you are actually comfortable with.