Certified Care for Every Stage of Menopause  

Menopause is a natural stage of life that signals the end of a woman’s reproductive years, yet it often brings symptoms and changes that can feel anything but natural. Every woman experiences menopause differently—some with mild symptoms, others with more disruptive ones that affect daily life. Having a knowledgeable and compassionate provider makes all the difference.

At OSU Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Justin Parks, D.O., offers specialized, evidence-based care for women navigating this transition. As a Menopause Society Certified Provider (MSCP)—one of only nine in Oklahoma and the only one in Tulsa seeing patients in person—Dr. Parks provides individualized treatment plans grounded in the latest research. His certification represents a commitment to understanding the full spectrum of menopause care, from symptom management to long-term health protection.

THREE STAGES OF MENOPAUSE
While the term “menopause” is often used broadly, it actually includes three stages:
Perimenopause: This transition phase typically begins in a woman’s 40s, when estrogen production starts to decline. Perimenopause can last several months to years and is marked by irregular periods and early symptoms such as hot flashes or sleep disruptions.
Menopause: Officially defined as one year after a woman’s last menstrual period, this stage occurs when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and estrogen levels fall significantly.
Postmenopause: After menopause, hormone levels stabilize at lower levels. Symptoms may lessen or resolve, but women may become more susceptible to certain conditions, such as heart disease or osteoporosis, due to reduced estrogen.

COMMON SYMPTOMS
Menopause symptoms vary widely but may include:
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Mood changes
• Sleep disturbances
• Weight gain
• Hair thinning
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort during intercourse
• Increased urinary frequency

Hot flashes affect roughly 80% of women, often lasting several years. Beyond these symptoms, the long-term impact of reduced estrogen underscores the importance of medical guidance to protect bone and cardiovascular health.

PERSONALIZED TREATMENT OPTIONS
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to menopause. Treatment may include:
• Hormone therapy to restore balance and relieve symptoms
• Non-hormonal medications for those who cannot or choose not to take hormones
• Lifestyle strategies such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management
• Alternative therapies like mindfulness and certain supplements

Dr. Parks works closely with each patient to develop a treatment plan tailored to her symptoms, health history, and lifestyle goals. His expertise ensures that women receive both compassionate support and the most advanced care available.

WHAT’S NEW IN MENOPAUSE CARE
1. New Non-Hormonal Medications
There are promising new hormonal drugs on the horizon for vasomotor symptoms that attack hot flashes where they originate — at their source in the thermoregulatory portion of the brain.

2. Reevaluation of Hormone Therapy Safety Warnings
There’s ongoing debate and activity around updating how hormone therapies are labeled, especially regulatory warnings (“black box warnings”) for low-dose vaginal estrogen and more nuanced risk statements. Some experts are pushing to clarify risk vs. benefit, especially when hormone therapy starts relatively early in menopause.

3. Greater Personalization of Treatment
• Timing of when you start hormone therapy matters: being closer to menopause (i.e. within 10 years) tends to correlate with better benefit/risk profiles.
• Formulation and delivery method are becoming more important. For instance, transdermal estradiol (patches, creams, sprays) are being seen as safer in certain respects (e.g. lower clotting risk) compared to some oral formulations.

4. Non-Hormonal / Lifestyle & Integrative Options Gain More Traction
Because not everyone wants or can take hormones, there is increased interest in non-hormonal therapies (SSRIs, SNRIs, gabapentin, behavioral therapy, etc.), lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, sleep hygiene), mind-body therapies, and complementary approaches.

5. Awareness, Education, and Provider Training
A persistent issue is underuse of hormone therapy even when it may be appropriate, in part because of lingering fears, outdated perceptions, or provider discomfort/lack of training.

Many advocacy groups and medical societies are pushing for better education, both for patients and for healthcare providers, so that decisions are better informed.

6. Regulation & Caution About At-Home / Over-the-Counter Hormone Tests and Unregulated Products
There is concern in the medical community about private, at-home hormone testing kits and non-regulated treatments (“bioidentical” hormones, etc.), which may not follow good evidence and can lead to confusion.

DON’T WAIT TO GET HELP
You don’t have to face menopause alone. With guidance from a certified expert, relief and renewed quality of life are possible.
To learn more or schedule an appointment with Dr. Justin Parks, D.O., call OSU Obstetrics and Gynecology at 918-586-4500.