How DPC Can Help Manage Your Menopause

Updated on: November 15, 2023

In women's lives, menopause occurs when they cease to have menstrual periods, usually between 45 and 55, marking the end of their reproductive years. Although menopause is a natural biological process, it can lead to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, weight gain, and bone loss. In addition to heart disease and osteoporosis, menopause can also increase the risk of certain health conditions.

Health care provided by direct primary care (DPC) involves patients paying a monthly fee directly to their primary care provider without the involvement of third parties. As a result, they have unlimited access to primary care services such as routine screenings, chronic disease management, acute care visits, and some basic laboratory tests and medications. Because DPC providers do not bill insurance companies, they are able to spend more time with their patients, offer lower prices, and provide more personalized care.

Women who are going through menopause may benefit from DPC, as it offers the following advantages:

How DPC Can Help Manage Your Menopause

  • DPC patients have access to their primary care provider by phone, email, text, or video chat anytime, anywhere. They can also get same-day or next-day appointments, without long wait times or copays. It will assist them in getting a diagnosis and treatment for menopause, as well as preventative education and advice.

  • Personalized menopause management: DPC providers can tailor treatment to each patient's particular needs and preferences, taking into account their medical history, risk factors, lifestyle, and goals. Using evidence-based guidelines and best practices, they can also monitor their progress and adjust their treatment plan accordingly.

  • With DPC, patients pay a flat monthly fee that covers most of their primary care needs, without any surprises. As DPC providers often negotiate lower prices with their suppliers or offer these services at cost, they can also save money on medications, laboratory tests, and imaging services. Also, DPC patients do not have to pay high premiums, deductibles, or copays for health insurance they may not need or use.

  • An enhanced patient experience and satisfaction: DPC patients can build a more trusting and lasting relationship with their provider, who knows them well and cares for them holistically. There is also more control and choice for them over their health care decisions without government or insurance companies interfering.

The Benefits of DPC for Menopause Patients

Menopause patients can benefit from DPC because it can improve their health outcomes and quality of life, as well as reduce their health care costs.

  • A DPC provider can educate patients about the signs and symptoms of menopause, as well as preventive measures they can take to avoid complications, such as getting regular bone density tests, blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and mammograms, in order to prevent complications from occurring. As well as screening their patients for menopause regularly, they can also treat them promptly if they have the condition, before it progresses.

  • In the event of menopause, DPC providers can treat their patients effectively, using appropriate medications and supportive care, and monitor their response and recovery to reduce hospitalization and complications. They can also prevent or treat any complications that may arise, such as osteoporosis, fractures, heart attacks, strokes, or infections, and refer their patients to specialists or hospitals if necessary. Especially for women experiencing menopause, this can reduce the need for hospitalizations and emergency visits.

  • With the right information, counseling, and reminders, DPC providers can ensure that their patients adhere to their prescribed treatment regimens. They can also follow up with their patients regularly to check their symptoms, assess their improvement, and determine whether further treatment or testing is needed. In addition to preventing treatment failure, resistance, or relapse, this can improve their long-term outcomes.

  • Through involving patients in the decision-making process, respecting their autonomy, and addressing their concerns and questions, DPC providers can empower their patients to take an active role in their own health care. In addition, they can provide education, motivation, and support to patients so they can engage in self-care and lifestyle modification. As a result, their self-efficacy, self-management, and self-care skills can be improved, as well as their well-being and satisfaction can be enhanced.

Personalized Menopause Management in DPC

DPC providers can offer personalized menopause management to their patients, based on their individual needs and preferences. Some of the aspects of personalized menopause management include:

  • Based on their age, family history, genetics, and other factors, DPC providers can assess and stratify their patients' risk of menopause. 

  • Using the most appropriate and available diagnostic tools, such as physical examination, blood tests, and saliva tests, DPC providers can diagnose their patients' menopause accurately and rapidly. 

  • A DPC provider can monitor and evaluate their patients' menopause regularly, using clinical and laboratory parameters, such as menstrual cycles, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and bone density. 

  • A DPC provider can educate and counsel their patients about menopause, its causes, effects, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.

Conclusion

In women's lives, menopause occurs when they cease to have menstrual periods, usually between 45 and 55, marking the end of their reproductive years. Although menopause is a natural biological process, it can lead to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, weight gain, and bone loss. In addition to heart disease and osteoporosis, menopause can also increase the risk of certain health conditions.

Women seeking a convenient, affordable, and comprehensive approach to managing menopause, as well as their overall health and well-being, might benefit from DPC. 'Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art', is a famous quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. By providing women with a more proactive, preventative, and personalized approach to health care, DPC can help them achieve that goal.

Published on: November 15, 2023
Doctors that manage menopause
  • Shawn Bailey, Concierge Internal Medicine in Columbus
    Shawn Bailey, MD
    Concierge Internal Medicine
    Columbus, Ohio
    Monthly Subscription Fee: Info Unavailable
    Max Patient In Panel: Info Unavailable
    Telehealth - Pending
    Home Visit - Pending
    Holistic/Lifestyle Med - Pending
    I've seen dozens of doctors and specialists, in addition to those required by my husband and children. Dr. Bailey is without a doubt the best doctor our family has ever seen! He devotes attention to his patients. We are not just a number to him since he genuinely cares about and knows his patients.
  • Rebecca McClain, Concierge Family Medicine in Columbus
    Rebecca McClain, FNP-C
    Concierge Family Medicine
    Columbus, Ohio
    Monthly Subscription Fee: Info Unavailable
    Max Patient In Panel: Info Unavailable
    Telehealth - Pending
    Home Visit - Pending
    Holistic/Lifestyle Med - Pending
    My husband and I had a fantastic day with Dr. McClain! Dr. McClain's gentle approach and compassionate manner made the whole procedure bearable. She is someone I would recommend to relatives and friends. Thank you so much, Dr. McClain!
  • LaTonya Carroll, DPC Family Medicine in Columbus
    LaTonya Carroll, DNP, APRN
    DPC Family Medicine
    Columbus, Ohio
    Monthly Subscription Fee: Info Unavailable
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    Telehealth
    Home Visit - Pending
    Holistic/Lifestyle Med - Pending
    Excellent experience! I made a same-day appointment and was able to go in right away. The front desk employees and the medical assistant were both quite kind and helpful. I will absolutely return and suggest the practice!
  • Richard J. Seidt, Concierge Family Medicine in Columbus
    Richard J. Seidt, MD
    Concierge Family Medicine
    Columbus, Ohio
    Monthly Subscription Fee: Info Unavailable
    Max Patient In Panel: Info Unavailable
    Telehealth - Pending
    Home Visit - Pending
    Holistic/Lifestyle Med - Pending
  • Heather Bartlett, DPC Family Medicine in Columbus
    Heather Bartlett, MD
    DPC Family Medicine
    Columbus, Ohio
    Monthly Subscription Fee: Info Unavailable
    Max Patient In Panel: Info Unavailable
    Telehealth - Pending
    Home Visit - Pending
    Holistic/Lifestyle Med - Pending
  • Jeremy Jones, Concierge Family Medicine in Columbus
    Jeremy Jones, PA-C
    Concierge Family Medicine
    Columbus, Ohio
    Monthly Subscription Fee: Info Unavailable
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    Telehealth - Pending
    Home Visit - Pending
    Holistic/Lifestyle Med - Pending
  • Lori Knight, Concierge Family Medicine in Columbus
    Lori Knight, FNP
    Concierge Family Medicine
    Columbus, Ohio
    Monthly Subscription Fee: Info Unavailable
    Max Patient In Panel: Info Unavailable
    Telehealth - Pending
    Home Visit - Pending
    Holistic/Lifestyle Med - Pending
    Got the professional care and consult I expected.
  • Desiree Hauenstein, Concierge Family Medicine in Columbus
    Desiree Hauenstein, PA-C
    Concierge Family Medicine
    Columbus, Ohio
    Monthly Subscription Fee: Info Unavailable
    Max Patient In Panel: Info Unavailable
    Telehealth - Pending
    Home Visit - Pending
    Holistic/Lifestyle Med - Pending