By Meredith Williams, MD., Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Oscar Insurance
Menopause can bring changes that are hard to describe and easy to dismiss. Poor sleep, anxiety or irritability, forgetfulness, and hot flashes can affect your day. It can be hard to tell whether these changes are part of menopause or a sign of something else.
A conversation with your doctor can help. Do not wait until symptoms feel severe to bring them up. Describe what has changed and how it affects your life so you and your doctor can decide what care or support will help.
Start by tracking what you notice
In the days or weeks before your visit, write down your symptoms. Note when they began, how often they happen, how long they last, and whether they interrupt sleep, work, relationships, or daily activities.
Look for changes in your menstrual cycle, hot flashes or night sweats, sleep, mood, energy, focus, sexual health, and urinary symptoms. Include anything that makes symptoms better or worse. A short list on your phone is enough. The goal is not perfect records. The goal is to give your doctor a clearer picture of what you're experiencing day to day.
Bring a list of your medications, vitamins, and supplements, along with relevant personal and family health history.
Ask the questions that matter to you
Your visit should make room for more than a quick mention of hot flashes. Sleep, mood, and brain fog can have a real effect on how you feel and function. State clearly what is bothering you most.
Use the visit to look at your whole health
Menopause is a good time to take stock of preventive care. Ask which screenings and lab work are right for you. Discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, bone health, and heart health. Ask whether a bone density scan is appropriate based on your age, health history, and risk factors.
These conversations are connected. Poor sleep can affect mood and energy. Changes in hormones, weight, or activity can shape heart and bone health. Looking at the full picture helps you and your doctor make a plan that reflects your needs now and over time.
When your doctor understands the full picture, it is easier to create a care plan that addresses both your symptoms and your preventive health needs. That same whole-person approach is starting to shape how some health plans support women managing perimenopause and menopause, recognizing that one-size-fits-all care and coverage does not meet everyone's needs. These menopause-first plans can bring together primary care, gynecology, behavioral health, preventive screenings, lab work, and prescription coverage personalized for this important stage in life, and often with lower out-of-pocket costs for certain services.
Menopause is personal, and there is no single right approach. You deserve a doctor who listens, takes your concerns seriously, and works with you on a plan that fits your needs. If you do not feel heard or supported, contact your health plan for help finding another doctor in your network. Your voice matters, and you deserve to feel comfortable asking questions and taking an active role in your care.
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Meredith Williams, MD, MBA, is Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Oscar Insurance, part of the Oscar Health family of brands. She is a board-certified physician trained in emergency medicine. She leads Oscar’s market clinical leadership, and clinical policy, focusing on evidence-based care, member experience, and high-performing provider partnerships. Dr. Williams previously held senior market, network, and clinical leadership roles at Optum and Humana. Her expertise spans value-based care, Medicare Advantage, ACA health plans, network development, and clinical operations. She earned her undergraduate degree from Yale University, an MD from Baylor College of Medicine, an MBA from Rice University, and she completed her emergency medicine residency at the University of Chicago.
