Your midlife body seems like a stranger, and you’re worried about the new, unfamiliar symptoms. A little research via “Dr. Google” landed you on this article (that’s good!) but also led to sifting through a lot of confusing information. You suspect you’re in perimenopause and on your way toward menopause.  

Now you’re wondering where to get medical help, and you have a lot of questions:

• Who will listen to my concerns and make me feel comfortable and respected?

• What kind of practitioner is a well-trained expert in the hormonal changes my body is going through?

• Who is skilled at diagnosing and treating hormonal issues like thyroid conditions, perimenopause, and postmenopause?

• Who has experience with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)—customized or compounded medications that are designed to meet my body’s unique needs)?

These questions are precisely what you should be asking. And we have some answers to help you make the best practitioner choice based on your unique needs.

Types of medical practitioners and the training they receive

The more a provider knows about hormones and the phases of menopause, the better prepared they are to help you make informed decisions about your options for hormone replacement therapy.  

There are distinctions that are important to understand when considering a medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), naturopathic doctor (ND), or nurse practitioner (NP). All four prescriber types must be licensed and must meet strict educational and training requirements before they can care for you. The main differences among them are their approaches to practicing medicine and the training they receive.  

We compiled descriptions of the types of practitioners to help you decide which may be best suited to your needs.

Medical doctor (MD)

An MD, also called a physician, completes 4 years of medical school where they engage in classroom, clinical, and community work. Next, they choose a specialty and work for 3-7 years in residency training. Some residents choose to do an additional fellowship after completing their residencies, adding 1-3 years of study in a subspecialty area. After completing residency, many doctors also become board certified in their chosen specialty. 

A medical doctor, also called a physician, must obtain a state license to practice medicine.

MDs give advice on preventive care, examine patients, prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and keep medical histories. They generally focus on treating specific conditions with medications.  

Physicians often play key roles at wellness centers that treat all aspects of women’s physical, mental, and emotional health; a resource to be considered as you move through your various menopause stages. Telehealth options can expand your options for finding doctors who specialize in all phases of menopause and hormone treatments.

Doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO)

A DO, also called an osteopath or osteopathic physician, completes 4 years of osteopathic medical school. Courses are a combination of academics, research, and over 1000 hours of hands-on, patient-facing clinical training via internships, residencies, and fellowships. These physicians are trained in all the same basic sciences as medical doctors.  

A DO’s training lasts 3-8 years and prepares them to become licensed and board certified.  

While an osteopath is a medical doctor and can prescribe medication, this medical professional takes a more natural and holistic approach to treatment where the focus is on integrative medicine. An osteopath also doesn’t turn to surgery as a first choice in caring for patients. In fact, osteopathic medicine can be a great option for someone who doesn’t want to consider surgery but isn’t responding to other treatment options.

Naturopathic doctor (ND)

An ND attends a 4-year, federally accredited, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all the same basic sciences as a medical doctor. But they also study holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness.  

Upon graduation, they must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX). This exam covers basic sciences, diagnostic and therapeutic subjects, and clinical sciences. 

NDs also complete rigorous education in pharmaceutical drugs, and they may prescribe medications as allowed by state regulations. However, naturopathic doctors typically don’t prescribe drugs at the first sign of symptoms.

Nurse practitioner (NP)

An NP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who is trained to assess patient needs and order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests. NPs must attend 4 years of school to become a registered nurse (RN), hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), complete an NP-focused master’s or doctoral nursing program.  

Upon graduation, they must pass a national NP board certification exam.  

The NP develops a treatment plan to provide the best plan of care for each patient, which includes prescribing medication without physician supervision.

Choosing a provider with expertise in hormones and menopause

Any of these types of practitioners are well-qualified to provide medical care. But not all primary care physicians and specialists are knowledgeable about bioidentical hormones or have experience treating menopausal women. That’s why it’s a good idea to ask questions before settling on a provider for your perimenopause journey.  

Surprisingly enough, there is no specialized training required to administer hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT). And if your practitioner does have training, it’s important to ask for details, because it can vary widely in approach and quality. Some doctors take only a single, short course in hormone replacement, whereas others participate in fellowships, multiple years of ongoing education, and board certification. 

Before booking the appointment, ask about your provider’s training. You can feel confident if your practitioner received training from the experts at Hormonal Health Institute, WordLink Medical Academy, The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), or Age Management Medicine Group (AMMG). These organizations are highly respected for their educational quality and have strict certification standards.  

Gather your info and make the call

This is a lot of information to digest and apply toward finding the right practitioner, but you can do it! Just take it one step at a time. Being the empowered woman that you are, embrace that you can and will make the right decisions for yourself and your body. It’s totally OK to ask questions about your doctor’s background when it comes to menopause and hormone therapies.

A good place to start your sleuthing might be with your current provider or OB-GYN. Ask if they’ve taken any continuing education on female hormones and menopause. If not, you may want to look elsewhere for your midlife care.

If you're looking for a new hormone expert, the Hormonal Health Institute offers this helpful Certified Clinician's Directory to help you find a provider near you.

Additionally, Worldlink Medical Academy offers their own Provider Directory where you can search by location and see each provider’s certification credentials.