901.701.7010
Our Office
Patient Portal
This May, we teamed up with our friends at Novel Bookstore in East Memphis for a special two-part book club in honor of Women’s Health Month. We centered the series on The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, with one goal: to bring education, empowerment, and the kind of candid conversation you don’t usually get in your average seven-minute exam room visit.
We packed the evenings with thoughtful discussion, a healthy dose of myth-busting, and more “Wait, why didn’t anyone ever tell me that?!” moments than we could count. The response was overwhelming—proof that women are hungry for real answers and better care.
So, whether you made it to the event or missed out this time, here are seven of the most powerful takeaways from The New Menopause and the conversations it sparked.
1. Menopause is inevitable. Suffering is not.
Dr. Haver’s rallying cry became a theme for both sessions: “Menopause is inevitable; suffering is not.” It’s a simple sentence, but it is truly revolutionary when you consider that nearly one-third of American women are currently in some stage of menopause—and that we’ll spend up to a third of our lives postmenopause.
Despite those numbers, too many women are told to “tough it out,” handed a pamphlet, or dismissed altogether. Our group agreed: It’s time to stop whispering about menopause like it’s a secret shame. This is a major phase of life, and it deserves major attention.
2. Perimenopause is real—and it’s frequently misdiagnosed.
Dr. Haver calls perimenopause “the phase of chaos,” and that got a lot of nods around the room. Symptoms are unpredictable and vary widely—hot flashes, brain fog, anxiety, insomnia, joint pain, the list goes on. And because there’s no standard screening, and hormone levels fluctuate wildly, most women are left to self-diagnose using a confusing mix of internet advice and trial-and-error treatments.
Even worse? Many spend years trying to get answers. According to one study referenced in the book, 18% of women visited six or more providers before receiving the correct diagnosis for their symptoms.
Six. Providers.
At ZüpMed, we believe time is a treatment tool. That’s why we take the time to listen, evaluate the full picture, and offer guidance based on both your symptoms and the latest research.
3. The healthcare system wasn’t built with this in mind.
Menopause may be common, but the system isn’t designed to handle it. There’s no routine training for most providers. There’s no standard checklist to follow. And there’s certainly no room in a 10-minute visit to have a nuanced conversation about hormone therapy, cardiovascular risk, mental health, and bone density—all at once.
The truth? Most providers mean well. But women’s health is too often siloed, outdated, or minimized altogether. Our book club attendees were quick to share stories of frustration, confusion, and even dismissal from otherwise “good” doctors.
ZüpMed’s Certified Menopause Providers in East Memphis are trained to offer more. We stay current on guidelines, invest in continued education, and prioritize conversations that lead to real relief, not dead ends.
4. One hormone study misled a generation.
If you’re hesitant about hormone therapy, you’re not alone. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study from the early 2000s left many patients and providers terrified of estrogen, thanks to sensational headlines and poor interpretation of data.
But here’s the truth: the study wasn’t designed to answer the questions it’s often used to shut down. It involved women who were, on average, 63 years old—long past the window when hormone therapy is most beneficial. It also used a synthetic formulation of hormones (CEE/MPA) that isn’t the same as what many women are offered today.
More recent research—and official statements from organizations like the American Heart Association—support the idea that starting hormone therapy within 10 years of menopause can offer significant long-term benefits.
In other words: It’s not the 90s anymore, and we’ve learned a lot since then.
5. Estrogen affects everything—not just reproduction.
5. Estrogen affects everything—not just reproduction.One of the most eye-opening lessons from The New Menopause is just how far-reaching estrogen’s role is in the body. Beyond its reproductive function, estrogen helps regulate heart health, brain function, metabolism, muscle mass, and bone strength.
That’s why the loss of estrogen during menopause can feel like a total system reboot—and why many women develop new health risks around the same time: osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and more.
Yes, symptom relief is important. But the broader health impact of hormone therapy shouldn’t be overlooked. Estrogen isn’t a “vanity drug.” It’s a powerful tool for long-term health, and many women are candidates for it.
6. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment.
If a provider offers only one hormone option—or doesn’t offer any at all—it might be time to ask why.
Dr. Haver walks through the differences between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, compounded versus FDA-approved therapies, and all the available delivery methods: pills, patches, sprays, creams, vaginal rings, and more.
It can sound overwhelming, but with the right provider, it’s empowering. You deserve a customized plan based on your history, risk factors, symptoms, and goals, not a blanket recommendation based on outdated fears or pharmaceutical incentives.
At ZüpMed, we tailor every treatment to the patient, not the other way around.
7. Menopause is a health issue—and a workplace issue.
One of the most staggering statistics from The New Menopause? One in five women has quit or considered quitting her job due to menopause-related symptoms.
That’s not a minor inconvenience—that’s a public health issue. And with menopause-related productivity losses costing an estimated $150 billion globally, it’s also an economic one.
It’s time to talk about this phase of life with the same seriousness we apply to other major health transitions. And it’s time for women to demand care that helps them stay present in their lives, their families, and yes, their careers.
Where to Find Menopause Treatment in Memphis
Our Women’s Health Month book club may be over, but the discussion is just getting started.
At ZüpMed, we believe menopause deserves more than silence, confusion, or shrugged shoulders. You deserve clear answers, thorough care, and time to talk through your options with someone who actually knows what they’re doing.
If you’re searching for menopause treatment that’s personalized, evidence-based, and actually helpful, our Certified Menopause Providers in Memphis are here to help—and we’re accepting new patients.
Because you have better things to do than suffer through something that’s entirely treatable. Like reading a book. With snacks. Surrounded by smart, curious women. (We might just do this again next year.)
