Menopause Practitioners: Who They Are and How to Find Them

As you start to experience perimenopause or menopause symptoms, it may be helpful to talk to a healthcare professional about what you’re going through. Whether you’re not feeling like yourself lately, or your symptoms are making it more difficult to get through your everyday tasks, talking to a professional may help you figure out how to best manage your symptoms.

There are doctors who have special training in menopause 

If you have a problem with your feet, you go to a podiatrist. If you have a problem with your teeth, you go to a dentist. But what about your menopause symptoms? Your first stop should be your gynecologist, as they are the ones trained the most to care for people experiencing menopause.

Not every gynecologist may be able to meet your needs when it comes to your menopause symptoms. But there are providers who have chosen to do extra training and decided to care specifically for patients experiencing perimenopause and menopause.

Find a menopause practitioner

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is a non-profit organization that provides education for the public and provides training and certification for providers interested in specific care for menopause and beyond. They’re the leading nonprofit organization with the mission of promoting the health and quality of life women during midlife and beyond thorough an understanding of menopause and healthy aging. 

Through NAMS, practitioners can receive the credential of NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) as a form of additional training. If you’d like to see what providers might be near you, check out The North American Menopause Society’s ‘Find a Menopause Practitioner’ search. This credential can be a good way to help you find a provider who has a special interest in menopause. Some providers may still be qualified even if they haven’t pursued this optional certification. You’ll need to ask more questions to better understand their expertise.

Other healthcare providers who can help

In addition, there are other specialists you can see for different menopausal symptoms. Additionally, there are some healthcare professionals who have taken extra training to provide better care to those going through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. You may need to do a little research to find a good fit for you.

Start a conversation with your trusted provider

If you have a good relationship with your primary care provider, endocrinologist, or gynecologist, you can start the conversation with them. You may find that they’re able to provide resources and recommendations.

But we’ve also heard from many people that they don’t get all the support they’re looking for from these providers. They’re told “It’s a normal part of your aging. You’ll get through it.” or “There’s nothing I can do to help you.” Not all healthcare providers receive specific training on menopause and menopausal symptoms. If this happens to you, there are likely other providers who can help.

Consider telemedicine

If you can’t find a provider near you or live in an area where this feels unrealistic (you have limited, unsafe, or no access to a variety of healthcare providers), another great option is menopause telemedicine. It can be a convenient and cost-effective option that can help improve your ability to consult with providers you might not otherwise be able to see. You can access care from providers specializing in menopause without having to travel for hours for a short appointment.