Stress. Managing weight. Symptoms of peri-menopause. These are the main concerns of women who seek care at the Total Health for Midlife Women Program of Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.
There’s one more issue: someone to talk to about all of these things!
The Total Health for Midlife Women Program specializes in helping women ages 40 to 60 deal with the physical and emotional changes that can occur during this transitional stage of life. The program was designed to help women better understand the changes they are experiencing, and to encourage them to take a proactive role in their health by focusing on prevention, health risks, wellness and education.
An all-female advisory board composed of nurses and physicians from a spectrum of medical specialties oversees the program.
“While the program addresses many issues for women in midlife, most women who come to the program are in perimenopause,” says Vanessa Barnabei, MD, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin obstetrician/gynecologist and medical director of the Total Health for Midlife Women Program. This is the stage of a woman’s reproductive life that begins a few years before menopause when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. All women go through this stage, but the way each one experiences it will vary.
“Midlife is really the transition from a woman’s reproductive years to her non-reproductive years,” Dr. Barnabei says. “But this is more than just the biological change that comes with menopause. During midlife, women face many other stresses such as caring for aging parents as well as their children, managing careers and homes, and dealing with their own health issues.”
One-on-One Time
The program begins with a personal, one-on-one session with Marlys Swanson, RN, BSN, who specializes in women’s health. During a 75- to 90-minute session, Swanson obtains a complete health history and conducts a series of health assessments. She goes through the woman’s medical history and discusses diet, exercise, stress and anxiety, personal habits (such as smoking and alcohol use) and other topics. Most of all, she listens.
“The one-on-one session is what really makes our program unique,” Swanson says. “When women meet with me, I ask them about the issues and concerns that are important to them. Through the health risk assessment, I get a total picture of everything going on in the woman’s life.”
Women appreciate the personal time with Swanson to discuss their physical and emotional health concerns, such as controlling their weight, handling stress or managing symptoms of menopause — all in a relaxed atmosphere. “Many women really open up, especially about the stress of going through menopause, and I can see the relief in their face after they talk to me,” she says.
Making Positive Changes
“Midlife is the perfect time to get women to look at their own health,” Dr. Barnabei says. “Women shouldn’t view perimenopause and menopause as the loss of their monthly cycle, but as a time to make positive life changes.”
“I call it being ‘meno-positive,’” Swanson says. “In their busy lives, women sometimes need permission to take care of themselves. They need to have some ‘me time’ to recharge their batteries. It’s never too late to start taking better care of yourself.”
Once a woman’s health issues have been identified, Swanson discusses the positive changes the woman can make, such as having screening tests for breast cancer, bone density, heart disease and colon cancer, or making lifestyle adjustments. “Often, if they just make small changes, it can really help,” Swanson says. They don’t need to reverse their entire lifestyle.” Women may be referred to other specialists as well, depending on their unique health issues and needs.
“We address the issues that are important to each woman, but also make them aware of their risks for other health issues, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and cancer,” says Dr. Barnabei. “The risk for all of these increases with age.”
Enhancement to Primary Care
“Our program is designed as an enhancement to care provided by a woman’s own doctor,” Swanson says. “If a woman doesn’t have a primary care physician — an internist or gynecologist or family medicine physician — this is a good time to establish a relationship,” Dr. Barnabei says. “A primary care physician will maintain regular preventive care, screenings, risk assessment and treatment.”
To make an appointment at the Total Health for Midlife Women Program, call 414-805-3666 or 800-272-3666.
Additional Resources
If you or someone you know would like more information on the health issues for midlife women, there are many resources available:
Support Group
The Total Health for Midlife Women Program conducts a free Menopause Discussion Group led by Marlys Swanson, RN, BSN. This group offers an educated and lively discussion of the physical, emotional and psychological changes women undergo during menopause. The group meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Community Conference Center (Room No. 2), 8700 W. Watertown Plank Road. For more information, call 414-805-4947 or 4948.
Web Sites
North American Menopause Society
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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Books
The following books are available at Small Stones:
Perimenopause and Menopause
The Change Before the Change by Laura Corio, MD
When Your Hormones Go Haywire by Pamela Smith, RD
Menopause and Perimenopause by Mary Jane Minkin, MD, and Carol Wright, PhD
The Hot Flash Cookbook by Cathy Luchetti
“No, It’s Not Hot in Here” A Husband’s Guide to Understanding Menopause by Dick Roth
Osteoporosis
Better Bones, Better Body by Susan E. Brown, PhD
Exercises for Osteoporosis by Diane Daniels, MA
Heart Disease
Strong Women, Strong Hearts by Miriam Nelson, PhD
Women are Not Small Men by Nieca Goldberg, MD
Exercise
Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause by Suza Francina
Running and Walking for Women Over 40 by Kathrine Switzer
Coping
Awakening at Midlife: A Guide to Reviving Your Spirit, Recreating Your Life and Returning to Your True Self by Kathleen Brehony
The Art of Midlife: Courage and Creative Living for Women by Linda Edelstein
Life is Short — Wear Your Party Pants by Loretta LaRouche
CDs
The following CDs are available at Small Stones:
Menopause: Initiation into Power by Joan Borysenko
Mastering Menopause by Belleruth Naparstek