Perimenopause/Menopause practitioners in NoVA

[Anonymous]

Although my primary care physician and OBGYN are competent, they haven't been able to guide me on managing my symptoms effectively. At 52, I believe I'm experiencing perimenopause symptoms, ranging from weight gain to sleep issues and mood changes. I've been looking for a local doctor who specializes in managing these symptoms, but finding the right one has been challenging. I have insurance, but I'm open to seeing a doctor outside my insurance network if they provide the care I need. I would appreciate any recommendations.

[Anonymous]

I'm following. I'm pretty sure I'm entering menopause and I'm a mess. And on top of that, super pissed that not one of my docs a) have discussed menopause with me in any meaningful way, b) told me what to expect, c) or has helped me in any way with managing things. In talking with similarly aged friends, they are experiencing the same and many of us are now in therapy over the emotional swings that we THOUGHT was us just going crazy.

Weight gain. significant sleep disruptions. Mood swings/anxiety/depression. Among other things. Makes puberty look like a joke.

[Anonymous]

Tavicare in Chevy Chase is great - does not take insurance.

[Anonymous]

Eileen West; she specializes in women’s care and has an interest in treating peri/menopause — but she is concierge. I suffered for years with hot flashes and sleep disturbances when doctors (pcp and gym) couldn’t (or wouldn’t) help me. With treatment (the HRT no one else even thought to tell me about) I am so much better. I’m finally sleeping through the night and the hot flashes are all but gone.

[Anonymous]

*gyn* lol, not *gym* — freaking autocorrect.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat and have been looking for a while but it's so hard to find a doctor who is knowledgeable in this space. I've had to resort to following people on social media to gain some knowledge and read. When I go ask the doctor about what I'm reading or hearing from the national experts (who are not located near us), they just stare at me as if I have three heads. It's like they are incapable of treating this thing that happens to women post a certain age and I don't understand why some GYNs can't focus on this. Their businesses would boom if they could effectively take this on. If there are other recommendations, we should list it here. We can start another thread for "Dr References for Peri/menopause" if we have a good list going.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Conrad and Dr. Lemmerman at Well Being - Being Well in McLean -- they do not take insurance.

[Anonymous]

What is with all these doctors who don’t take insurance?

[Anonymous]

Second Eileen West. She is wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second Eileen West. She is wonderful.

What are her fees? 200k/month to start?

I’m going to blow your minds here, ladies, but this stage of life won’t last forever and most of what these people will offer you can be read about in a book from Amazon. The debt you will incur will far outlast perimenopause. Is that even a thing?

[Anonymous]

You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

[Anonymous]

Camilla Hersh in Reston takes insurance. She is fantastic and very knowledgeable about perimenopause and HRT.

Some people have issues because she asks whether religion plays a role in your life. She is also fairly blunt, but that doesn’t bother me. She is the best doctor I have ever had. I wish I would have found her years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

Can you explain this? Serious question because I would love to pay $100 to get info that can help me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

Can you explain this? Serious question because I would love to pay $100 to get info that can help me.

Labcorp On Demand offers a menopause test that checks your hormone levels. You have two vials of blood drawn preferably on day 3 of your cycle (if you still have one). HTH

A gynecologist told me I was peri three years ago. She refused to give me the test when I requested it. So I did this instead.

I had my hormone levels tested when I was 34 and they were identical to that test. I’m 42.

I switched gynecologists and found one that wasn’t pushy or a salesman first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

Can you explain this? Serious question because I would love to pay $100 to get info that can help me.

Labcorp On Demand offers a menopause test that checks your hormone levels. You have two vials of blood drawn preferably on day 3 of your cycle (if you still have one). HTH

A gynecologist told me I was peri three years ago. She refused to give me the test when I requested it. So I did this instead.

I had my hormone levels tested when I was 34 and they were identical to that test. I’m 42.

I switched gynecologists and found one that wasn’t pushy or a salesman first.

These menopause tests aren't as accurate as you may think. Perimenopause is marked by fluctuating hormone levels - some days/months you may be "normal", while others you may be low on estrogen. This is why perimenopause is generally diagnosed by symptoms and not blood tests.