Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Susan Baumgaertel, an internal medicine physician with 30 years of experience and founder of MenopauseMenu and myMDadvocate. They discuss menopause lessons for medical students, things everybody should know about menopause, and why men need to know about menopause too.
- [00:00] Introduction
- [02:20] Menopause – The Forgotten Branch of Medicine
- [02:51] How Students Can Learn to Work with Women in Menopause
- [06:27] The Benefits of Listening to Your Patients
- [07:10] How to Educate Patients About the Different Stages of Menopause
- [09:16] Ways to Ask For More Time From Your Doctor
- [11:36] Dr. Baumgaertel’s Book – The Menopause Menu
- [16:14] Men Need to Know About Menopause Too
- [19:39] What Dr. Baumgaertel Would Change About US Healthcare
- [22:10] Parting Thoughts
Menopause is More Than Hot Flashes
Dr. Baumgaertel emphasizes that menopause is often seen through a narrow lens, focusing solely on hot flashes. However, she challenges this narrative, urging us to recognize the multifaceted aspects of menopause that impact every woman uniquely. From this conversation, it’s very clear that understanding menopause goes beyond just one medical discipline. It involves everything from primary care, OB/GYN, cardiology, dermatology, rheumatology, neurology, and more.
Dr. Baumgaertel stresses the importance of a multifactorial approach when caring for menopausal patients. Each woman’s experience is unique, and healthcare professionals must be receptive and attentive to their patients’ needs. Yes, commonalities exist, but not every woman experiences menopause in the same way. In fact, some women don’t experience menopausal symptoms at all.
Advocating for Yourself: Sending Agendas
Dr. Baumgaertel encourages women to advocate for themselves by setting the agenda during medical appointments. Sometimes an hour-long doctor’s appointment is not enough, and it’s okay to ask your doctor for more time. By addressing specific concerns and communicating them ahead of time, patients can ensure that their healthcare providers allocate the necessary time to discuss crucial aspects of menopause. Menopause is a stressful time and you need all the support you can get.
The Menopause Menu Book: A Resource for All
Dr. Susan introduces her book, “The Menopause Menu: From Hot Flashes to Delicious Dishes, A Symptom-Driven Nourishing Guide to Mastering Menopause.” Combining practical advice with a visually engaging format, the book is designed to reach a broad audience, including men seeking to support their partners. According to Dr. Baumgaertel, women in their late 30s to early 60s need accurate information on the entire menopausal journey. The Menopause Menu provides helpful, science-based advice, presented with a unique blend of personal narrative and holistic support. The chapters are easy to read and are paired with 16 simple recipes.
Grab a copy of Dr. Baumgaertel’s book The Menopause Menu on Amazon and reach out to her via LinkedIn, YouTube, and her Website for more details about her work.
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