The Future of Menopause Medicine Is Personalized and Unrushed
Why Menopause Care Needs More Than 10 Minutes
Menopause care should be thoughtful, not rushed. Dr. Maria Buencamino-Francisco explains how concierge medicine offers longer visits, ongoing support, and personalized plans for women navigating midlife and beyond.
Last updated October 2025
The Power of Time in Women’s Health
For many women, menopause arrives at a time of life already filled with responsibility, career, family, and the ongoing demands of staying healthy. When those first signs of change appear, the typical 10-minute office visit can feel impossibly brief. There’s rarely enough time to discuss symptoms, ask questions, or explore what’s really happening inside the body.
At Concierge Medicine of South Shore, we believe that good medicine begins with time. Longer, more intentional visits give space for conversation, education, and connection. This slower pace allows us to move from simply treating symptoms to truly supporting your health through the menopause transition and beyond.
What Longer Visits Make Possible
In traditional care models, physicians are often limited to seeing many patients each day. In a concierge setting, that number is intentionally smaller. The result is deeper, more individualized care that doesn’t end when the appointment does.
Here’s what that looks like in my practice:
Listening comes first. Your story matters. We begin with an open conversation about your health, lifestyle, goals, and any concerns related to menopause or midlife changes.
We look at the whole picture. Symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, or sleep difficulties may have multiple contributing factors, including hormonal shifts, thyroid function, stress, or poor nutrition. With more time, we can connect those dots.
We create a plan together. Your care plan includes lifestyle strategies, preventive screenings, and targeted treatments tailored to your needs. Hormone therapy may be part of that plan when appropriate, but it’s never the only focus.
More extended visits also mean you leave feeling informed and supported, not rushed or overwhelmed.
A Patient-Centered First Month
Menopause care works best as a process, not a single appointment. Here’s how we typically approach the first month together:
Week 1: Comprehensive Welcome Visit
We take a detailed look at your personal and family medical history, review current symptoms, and discuss your goals. Labs are ordered to establish a clear baseline for your hormonal and metabolic health.
Week 2: Results and Personalized Planning
When your results are ready, we review them together, either in person or through our secure portal. I use this time to explain what we’ve found and adjust your plan with evidence-based recommendations and targeted treatments.
Week 3: Follow-Through and Communication
Questions are encouraged. You can reach out directly between visits for clarification, reassurance, or updates on how you’re feeling.
Week 4: Refinement and Forward Planning
We meet again to evaluate progress, make adjustments, and continue building your preventive roadmap for long-term health.
This ongoing connection ensures that your care evolves as your body and needs change.
Menopause Through a Preventive Lens
Menopause is not just about hot flashes or hormone levels; it’s a pivotal stage for long-term wellness. Estrogen plays a crucial role in heart, bone, and brain health, making this an ideal time to assess overall risk factors and reinforce preventive strategies.
As a Menopause Society-certified provider, I help patients weigh the benefits and risks of hormone therapy within the broader context of their health.
For women with moderate to severe symptoms and low cardiovascular risk, transdermal estradiol with progesterone can safely restore balance and improve quality of life.
For women who prefer non-hormonal approaches, options such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or localized therapies can provide relief without systemic hormones.
The goal is to make choices that support both immediate comfort and lifelong health.
Concierge Care Means Continuous Care
Many patients are surprised by how different the concierge experience feels. Instead of waiting months between visits, you have direct access to your physician for timely questions and follow-ups. This steady communication keeps care proactive rather than reactive.
Whether we’re reviewing lab updates, fine-tuning a medication, or simply checking in on progress, this accessibility helps ensure that your health plan stays on track.
A Better Model for Midlife Care
Menopause deserves the same thoughtful attention as any other health milestone. When we take time to listen, educate, and plan together, women leave empowered, not uncertain.
At Concierge Medicine of South Shore, I view menopause as an opportunity to strengthen your overall foundation of wellness. Through longer visits, preventive strategies, and personalized guidance, we can help you feel confident and supported at every stage of your life.
If you’re ready to experience comprehensive, unrushed menopause care, book a Meet & Greet by calling 781-795-9980 or visit www.conciergemedicineofsouthshore.com.
