Page 17 - Southern Exposure- April '24

Southern Exposure, Page 17

ClEvElANd CliNiC

floridA NEwS

Is It Time For A Menopause Visit?

Changing The Conversation Around The Change

Once a taboo topic, menopause is now enjoying a is called perimenopause, tries to build a trusting relationship, so that patients can feel
unique spotlight. For the second year in a row, menopausal while the years following are comfortable having conversations about sexual health and other
symptoms were featured in a coveted Super Bowl ad. postmenopause. sensitive topics.
Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), known more commonly to “Menopause is not a If Mason had it her way, every woman would have a
women in midlife as hot flashes and night sweats, are just one disease; it’s a normal part “menopausal visit” during the perimenopause stage of their
area of concern board certified gynecologist Claudia Mason, of life,” says Mason. “But it reproductive lifecycle.
M.D., addresses with her patients. As a certified menopause can produce symptoms that “Menopause is different for everyone and requires
practitioner with Cleveland Clinic in Florida, Dr. Mason range from bothersome to personalized care,” she says. “There are many well-researched
specializes in helping patients navigate the challenges of “the life-altering.” treatments that include hormonal, nonhormonal and behavioral
change,” which naturally starts between the ages of 45 and 55. The Symptoms options, as well as natural remedies.”
“More and more women are choosing not to suffer in Hot flashes, night sweats Future Health Risks
silence, which is great news,” says Mason. She does worry, and vaginal dryness are among Another concern for women facing this stage of life,
however, about the amount of misinformation shared online the most common symptoms according to Mason, are the long-term complications related to
and the unproven therapies that are fueling a growing of menopause. Others include Claudia Mason, M.D. menopause and decreased estrogen production. These include
menopause marketplace. sleep disturbances, mood bone loss in the immediate years following menopause and an
Not A Disease disorders, and skin and hair changes, as well as sexual increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Menopause signifies the permanent ending of dysfunction and urinary symptoms like stress incontinence. “I address both current symptoms and ways to lessen future
menstruation when the body is no longer releasing eggs “Too many women just live with the symptoms and never health risks,” adds Mason.
or producing much estrogen. “Once a woman has stopped seek help,” says Mason, noting one AARP survey found that She encourages any woman who has questions about
having her period for 12 consecutive months, she has only half of women surveyed ever discussed menopause with menopause or how to alleviate symptoms to talk with their
officially reached menopause,” explains Mason. a health provider. healthcare provider.
More than a million women reach menopause each year A Menopause Visit Call (877) 463-9010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/
in the United States, according to the National Institute As a menopause specialist, Mason makes it a point to Appointment to schedule an appointment with Mason or
on Aging. The transitional stage leading up to this point ask patients about VMS during well-women visits. She also another Cleveland Clinic menopause specialist.

iN your CoMMuNity from page 16 The Promise Fund of Florida); medical and dental referrals; MyClinic Board of
and healthy eating for life. All clients are assessed for social Directors include: Doug
Since its inception in 2012, the once traditional “free clinic” determinants of health needs such as food/nutrition support, Brown, chair; Barry
has continued its expansion of offerings to become a hub for legal assistance, housing, rent and utilities, health-related Byrd, secretary; Brian
anyone with health or quality of life needs restricted by financial transportation and other family assistance and are provided with Cich; Dr. Catherine
concerns. MyClinic’s dedicated team, in conjunction with direct referrals/connections to resources to address these needs. Drourr, medical director;
collaborative partners, provides numerous programs including: Dedicated space within MyClinic enables visiting organizations Debra Erickson,
care coordination and navigation; hospital discharge assistance; offering complementary services to meet directly with clients, treasurer; Don Hearing,
behavioral health; women’s health (in collaboration with improving access to crucial resources. vice chair; Dr. Jaime Don Hearing and Steve Seeley
Lambrecht; Steven
Seeley (senior vice president and COO Jupiter Medical
Center); Dr. Ron Surowitz, founding chair; and Suzanne
Whitbeck (executive director, El Sol).
Attendees at this milestone celebration included: Valley
Bank representatives Beth-Ann Morrison, vice president;
Felicia Slappy, vice president; and Lester Wright, senior
banker; Town of Jupiter Mayor Jim Kuretski; Julia Click,
Jupiter Medical Center vice president and chief human
resources officer; DiMino Family Foundation representatives
Wendy Balch, treasurer/secretary and Tressa Harris-Jones; Ilan
Kaufer, Florida Power and Light, external affairs manager; and
MyClinic staff and volunteers.
Event sponsors included: Rendina Healthcare Real Estate,
The Drourr Family, Jupiter Medical Center, Valley Bank,
Cotleur & Hearing and Northstar Management.
For additional information contact Amy Pepper,
MyClinic executive director at (561) 203-7511 or Apepper@
myclinicjupiter.org.
Photos by Elizabeth Dashiell ©

Suzanne Hearing, Gali Levkovitz and Bonnie Stein

MyClinic Vice Chairman Don Hearing with Dr. Ron Surowitz
during the ceremonial burning of the mortgage