Maureen Luthardt, CRNP, WHNP-BC, MSCP

My first realization about how menopause and quality of life are intertwined came from working with women with cancer. Many women would be cured of cancer, but as a result of the disease and its treatment, they were put into an early menopause state. At follow-up appointments, I heard about their problems with night sweats, vaginal dryness, body aches, mood changes, and low energy - including low sex drive. I felt empathy for these problems, but was not in a position to help.

After many years as a nurse, I decided it was time to advance my career. I looked at several different types of advanced practice and decided becoming a Women’s Health nurse practitioner was the right choice for me. I could focus on women’s sexual and reproductive needs and advance the general well-being of women of all ages. I take care of women across the age span and found that there was a general lack of knowledge and desire to treat women in midlife and older. I began to hear women complain they felt abandoned, that the healthcare system dismissed their concerns about perimenopause and menopause symptoms, telling them, “It’s just a hot flash,” so nothing needed to be done about it.

At this point, I realized I could learn more about the treatment of menopause symptoms and make a difference in their lives. So now I’ve come full circle, connecting the phases of my career and dedicating myself to focus on perimenopause and menopause care.