Menopause: Coven, Comedians & Cocktails!

Gynecologist Heather Bartos is hosting a unique event for her new book, "Are You There, God? It's Me, Menopause." Described as a "comedic coven rally," the gathering in Boston aims to be a lively and candid space for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.

The event, featuring comedian Bethany Van Delft, will offer myth-busting and commiseration, with mocktails replacing cocktails due to hot flashes. Bartos seeks to create a supportive "tribe" for women, acknowledging that midlife transitions are often uncelebrated.

Dr. Bartos also strongly advocates for systemic changes in women's healthcare. She emphasizes the critical need for centralized electronic medical records, citing military healthcare as an example where patient information was unified across locations.

She highlights the fragmented nature of current women's healthcare, where symptoms like joint pain or palpitations are often addressed by separate specialists, potentially leading to women feeling dismissed. Bartos argues for a single point of contact to coordinate care for midlife women.

Regarding treatments like HRT, Bartos advises a balanced approach, stating hormones are beneficial but not a universal cure. She stresses that addressing women's complex health requires looking beyond hormones to consider mental health and nutrition.

Bartos also debunks social media myths, such as using vaginal estrogen cream on the face, noting a lack of scientific evidence. She concludes by assuring women that while perimenopause can be turbulent, menopause itself represents a stable, calm phase of life.