Perimenopause is a clinical term that describes the period of time leading up to menopause. During this time, a woman's body will begin to have irregular menstrual cycles and uneven spikes and dips in estrogen levels--hot flashes-- as well as loss of bone and changes to cholesterol levels.
Although most gynecologists and family physicians can help you manage perimenopause, occasionally you might want to talk to a specialist about menopausal issues. Finding a doctor who specializes in perimenopause is a moderately easy process; like most physician searches, you'll need to take advantage of easily searchable online resources, as well as local contacts.
Instructions
Find a Doctor
1. Talk to your regular doctor. Family physicians, internists, and gynecologists all receive training in women's health issues, including perimenopause. If you do not have a regular doctor, or if you have a general internist, but would prefer to talk to a gynecologist, who trains solely in women's health, you can locate one easily by searching the online database maintained by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. If your doctor determines that you need to talk to a specialist about your perimenopause, ask him for a list of local doctors who can help.
2. Search online resources maintained by professional groups. Because perimenopause encompasses so many different problems related to the rise and fall of hormonal levels (chiefly estrogen), the specialist you'll need is called an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists focus on problems related to the body's hormones, and most endocrinologists focus on specific areas, such as women's health, reproductive problems, menopause, and osteoporosis. The Endocrine Society and its Hormone Foundation, as well as the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, host online tools to locate a nearby endocrinologist. Both organizations sort doctors by their specialty (such as menopause or women's health) as well as geographic location, so searching is simple.
3. Use resources developed by your health insurance provider. Call the number on the back of your health insurance card, or visit your health insurance provider's web site. Searchable lists of in-network doctors--including gynecologists and endocrinologists -- are available from your insurance provider. Many providers also offer helpful patient information related to women's health issues; check the web site or call the provider and ask for more information.
Tags: women health, health insurance, insurance provider, your health, your health insurance, Find Doctor
