Menopause/Perimenopause Interest and Certification
A few years ago, several years into my professional practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner, I started noticing that several of my female patients (primarily in the age group of 40-55) had similar complaints: hair loss, overwhelming fatigue, vaginal dryness, abnormal body odor, random joint pain, unexplained weight gain, difficulty losing weight, difficulty staying asleep, lack of libido, brain fog, itchy skin, new onset of headaches, palpitations and/or a sensation of their heart racing.
While listening to them, I realized that I personally had similar concerns. For my personal health, I had reached out to members of my healthcare team who all had different ideas of what could be going on: viral syndrome, vitamin deficiency, depression, anxiety, stress, not exercising enough, exercising too much, eating too much, not eating enough, and on and on. I started to feel like I must just be crazy.
Finally, I came across a book that a dear friend of mine recommended called "The New Menopause" by Mary Claire Haver. Reading that book allowed me to see that I am NOT crazy! The symptoms I was having were due to a shift in my hormones and there is indeed something that could be done.
I was able to go into an appointment with my gynecologist and advocate for my own care. Thankfully, my gynecologist is up to date on recent studies and was completely willing to supplement my hormones to help me manage the symptoms of perimenopause.
"I can't say that I feel like I did when I was in my twenties, but I do feel SO MUCH BETTER with HRT than I did without it! I sleep better, I'm no longer having headaches, I have more energy, I have less brain fog, I have been able to lose some weight, and my heart doesn't race like it had been."
Pursuing NAMS Certification
After seeing the impact that HRT had on my own wellbeing, I knew I needed to be able to help my patients. I found that the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has a certification exam that providers can study for and take. I decided it was something I wanted to pursue.
As a member of NAMS I receive regular updates on the research that is currently being done on women in the perimenopause and post menopause cohorts. I have been studying and regularly prescribing HRT for patients and have seen how impactful this support has been in their lives.
I plan to take the NAMS exam this summer and I have a goal to support as many women as I can in their individual perimenopause journeys.
Darlene Cornwell, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner at Lubbock Menopause Clinic with 25+ years in healthcare. Passionate about helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause.
Experiencing Perimenopause Symptoms?
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