Valley Medical Group on Thursday announced it opened a Menopause Center, a place where menopausal women can seek care for their symptoms from certified menopause practitioners.
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and represents the permanent end of menses, or periods, resulting from loss of ovarian follicular function, typically due to aging. It normally occurs between the ages of 40 and 58 years of age.
“While every woman will experience menopause, it does not exactly come with a user’s manual,” Dr. Tia Welsh, chair of Women Services for Valley Medical Group, said. “It is typically only talked about when discussing the symptoms. These symptoms are due to estrogen deficiency and can include hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, increased weight, sexual dysfunction, changes to hair and skin and many more.”
“Many women cope with their symptoms, but there is treatment and support during this time. You are not alone,” Welsh said.
Valley’s Menopause Center has four physicians on staff who are Menopause Society Certified Practitioners (MSCP). These practitioners include Drs. Tia Welsh; David Garfinkel; Kathlyn Kim; and Michelle Beloff, who see patients at 1200 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood. These clinicians completed the Menopause Society’s competency examination for health care professionals who seek to become credentialed in menopause and midlife women’s health.
“Any MSCP is aware of the challenges of menopause and helps to provide patients with the tools and information needed to get the highest quality of care through the menopause transition and beyond,” Dr. David Garfinkel, a Valley obstetrician and gynecologist and MSCP, said. “This ultimately leads to improving women’s midlife health and their healthcare experience.”
Valley’s MSCPs also work closely with a patient’s cardiologist, medical oncologist, nutritionist, metabolic weight loss and endocrinology specialist, or sleep center physician to ensure that the patient is heard and cared for.
“When you first notice symptoms, and if those symptoms are impacting your life or are unusual, you should make an appointment to see an OB/GYN,” Garfinkel said. “There is no reason to suffer. Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive, preventive care and is a resource to leading-edge therapies to help with your quality of life and long-term health.”
