I recently saw a reference to a “certified menopause practitioner.” I’ve never heard of that credential but am intrigued by the thought. Is it worth a visit to one to help me in my menopause transition?
Your primary care physician—who may be a gynecologist, internist, or family physician—can discuss and manage menopausal issues. But if you want or need further support and treatment, that’s where a certified menopause practitioner can come in. They have more instruction in the field and have passed a certification exam. And some women may feel more comfortable discussing their issues with such a specialist.
According to several reports, many physicians are not as robustly trained in the area of menopause as they could be. For instance, a report from the UK in 2022 found that only 59 percent of medical schools there included mandatory menopause education in their curriculum. And a survey of 510 medical residents in obstetrics and gynecology, led by Johns Hopkins researchers, indicated that only 20 percent reported that they were formally trained in various aspects of menopause medicine.
In another survey, of 177 trainees in medical residency programs in the U.S. (including OB/GYN, family medicine, and internal medicine), 20 percent said they weren’t given any lectures on menopause, and only 7 percent felt they were trained enough to treat women experiencing symptoms.
A few years ago, the Society for Women’s Health Research brought together 13 experts to discuss updates in research and clinical practice of menopause. Among the panel’s conclusions, they noted that because both patients and clinicians lack sufficient understanding of menopause, there may be delays in recognizing the menopause transition and treating its symptoms.
The nonprofit Menopause Society (formerly called the North American Menopause Society or NAMS) came up with a solution of some sorts: They developed a competency exam that licensed healthcare providers can take to receive credentialing as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP). This was originally referred to as a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP).
The certification, which is good for three years, can be maintained by earning continuing medical education (CME) credits or by taking the exam again. Among the licensed healthcare professionals who are eligible to sit for the exam are physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, pharmacists, and psychologists.
According to the Menopause Society, certified practitioners should have broad knowledge of all things menopause, including the hormonal changes that occur and their health implications and an understanding of the current research on pharmacologic and alternative therapies for menopause-related symptoms.
Depending on their primary area of healthcare, they may perform physical exams, select and interpret relevant lab and diagnostic tests, address psychosocial issues, and develop counseling strategies to enhance a woman’s quality of life.
A certified menopause practitioner can, for example, discuss how the drop in estrogen that accompanies menopause can increase the risk of a variety of diseases, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. She can also go over all menopause-related symptoms and how these could be treated appropriately—whether with hormone or nonhormonal therapy or over-the-counter options. Menopause-related symptoms can include not just the obvious hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse but also migraines, dry eyes, hair loss, sleep problems, and mental health changes.
Certified menopause practitioners may practice their menopause care wherever they would ordinarily work, such as a clinic, private practice, or medical center.
If you’re interested in consulting with a certified menopause practitioner, your PCP may be able to refer you, or you can use this directory compiled by the Menopause Society. (Check with your health insurance to see whether a particular provider is covered.) There are also local hospitals that have centers dedicated to treating women who are in the age group for menopause (including perimenopause). For example, NYU Langone Health in New York City has the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause. Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston has its Menopause and Midlife Clinic. There may be similar programs in your area.
