JoAnn Pinkerton, MD
JoAnn Pinkerton, MD, the Mamie A. Jessup Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and division director of Midlife Health at the University of Virginia, recently spoke with The Washington Post about how the medical field is failing menopausal women.
Women need to know about the transition phase before their last menstrual period, known as perimenopause, which can last four to eight years. According to Dr. Pinkerton, “I’m seeing more and more women in perimenopause who feel that their symptoms are being dismissed.” Clinicians might not recognize the symptoms, and even if they do, women are often told it’s just life and that there is nothing to be done. As a result, women are often unaware of the many medications, both hormonal and non-hormonal, that can alleviate symptoms. Health-care providers also fail to mention “even lifestyle changes that could help, like healthier eating, avoiding alcohol, regular exercise and stress reduction,” Pinkerton said.
In a another recent story, Dr. Pinkerton was interviewed by NBC Nightly News about nonhormonal treatments for menopause.
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