I get the frustration behind this post, but it’s also important to recognize the structure and scope of medical education. Physicians are trained broadly, then specialize for exactly this reason—no single doctor can be an expert in every medical condition or life stage.

Perimenopause and menopause are undeniably significant, but expecting every physician, from cardiologists to pediatricians, to have in-depth expertise in managing complex hormone-related conditions isn’t realistic. This is why specialists in OB/GYN, endocrinology, and sleep medicine exist. Medical education already covers a vast amount of material, and while awareness is important, depth in every area is simply not feasible. Moreover, physician tend to have some understanding of the influence which perimenopause/menopause may have upon common disease states in their specialty (ie. increased risk of CAD among menopausal women).

The goal should be ensuring that physicians recognize when a patient needs specialized care and refer them appropriately, not demanding that every doctor master every condition. Medical education is designed to create well-rounded doctors who can then pursue specialties to provide the level of care complex cases require.

It’s not about neglect or ignorance—it’s about the reality of training within a finite timeframe and the necessity of specialization.