
Published on Apr 21, 2025
Last modified on Apr 21, 2025
3 Things Elektra Clinicians Wish They Learned in School
3 min read
At Elektra, our care team is composed of clinicians experienced in primary care, gynecology, and other facets of women’s health, but you may be surprised to learn that most of them didn’t learn about menopause during their initial training! In fact, a recent study found that only 7% of OBGYN and Internal Medicine residents feel “prepared” to manage menopausal patients.
So what gives? Elektra clinicians have received supplementary training specifically in menopause and are certified by The Menopause Society — the foremost menopause research organization globally.
Since we thought you might be curious, we asked five Elektra clinicians what they wish they learned in medical school that they learned later on…
1. Hormone therapy is a safe and effective treatment option
“I didn’t learn about hormone therapy AT ALL. During my training, we were managing menopause under the shadow of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) findings. Hormone therapy was not an option at that time so we learned exclusively about lifestyle support –– an important part of any comprehensive treatment plan, but sometimes not enough.” – Nora Lansen, MD, MSCP
“The only thing I was taught in school about menopause was learning about the WHI study and the results. Basically to explain ‘why we don’t prescribe hormones’ –– there was nothing beyond that, not even lifestyle measures! Granted, I am a Certified Nurse Midwife, so my training was heavily focused on OB care, but I had a good amount of gynecological as well and it was almost like once women are past childbearing, they don’t need us anymore. I wish I had learned that menopause symptoms can really impact quality of life, and that there are remedies available to help women. I wish providers learned in school that they don’t need to be menopause experts — they just need to know that it’s real, important, and who to refer patients to for treatment.” – Kara Govoni, CNM, MSCP
I wish I had learned that menopause symptoms can really impact quality of life, and that there are remedies available to help women.
“I was only in practice about two years before the WHI press release (when everything changed). However, my program did not have a heavy focus on menopause and I don’t recall any clinical interactions addressing menopause concerns. We were taught the common symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, but not much more…” Dawn Black, APRN, WHNP-BC, MSCP
READ MORE:
- Elektra Guide To Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)
- The Benefits of Testosterone for Menopause
- Is Vaginal Estrogen Safe? What The Science Says.
2. Hormone fluctuations associated with menopause impact many other areas of our health
“I didn’t learn about the positive role estrogen has on all systems, especially cardiovascular and brain health. I only learned about the negatives.” – Yvette Sims, FNP-C, MSCP
READ MORE:
- Understanding the Connection Between Gut Health and Menopause
- Menopause & Heart Palpitations: Should I Be Concerned?
- A Guide To Heart Health Screenings During Menopause
- Ultimate Guide To Brain Fog During Menopause
3. There’s more to women’s health than STD prevention and pregnancy care
“I suspect there is more taught in medical school now than when I was in school. In my experience in medical school and residency, there was little interaction with patients who were older. We seemed to concentrate on the younger women for contraceptive care, STD education and prevention and pregnancy care. In the perfect world, students and residents would be involved in clinics/offices that provide menopausal care. That is where they could learn the most.” – Gail DeLasho, MD, MSCP
Where Elektra comes in
At Elektra, we’re committed to rightsizing historical gaps in care and to redefining the standard of care for all women in midlife – because we deserve to be seen by providers who actually understand our bodies. As we wait for medical and nursing schools to catch up, we have the privilege of connecting patients with clinicians trained specifically in menopause, guided by the latest research and science.