In recent years, medical research around women’s health has gone through a significant shift. There has been a growing recognition of the importance of understanding and supporting women's health beyond pregnancy and childbirth, particularly during the transitions of perimenopause and menopause.
In our practice, patients often share how difficult it can be to find care for their perimenopausal concerns. Because symptoms during this transition can overlap with mental health concerns, we saw a gap in care that many women were facing.
In order to provide more comprehensive care, this fall, we’re excited to announce that we’ve expanded our team and expertise to support women’s health: Jessica Campbell, MSN, PMHNP-BC, WHNP-BC, is a dual-certified Women’s Health and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who has dedicated her career to providing comprehensive women’s health care across a range of conditions and settings.
She brings extensive experience providing prenatal and postpartum mental health care, contraceptive management, perimenopause and menopause care, and compassionate support for women navigating pregnancy loss, infertility and miscarriage. Her experience complements the expertise of the Affinity team in providing an integrated perspective on the emotional experience of women’s health.
Understanding the whole person, and not just her symptoms
Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can influence mood, sleep, energy, libido, and cognitive function, among other things. Navigating these wide-ranging symptoms can lead many women on a frustrating journey of consulting multiple practitioners before they connect the dots back to hormonal shifts.
Menstrual cycles - Some women experience significant changes in mood, anxiety, energy, and appetite around their menstrual cycle. For those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), sensitivity to hormone changes can lead to severe emotional and physical symptoms that can interfere with daily life.
Perinatal and postpartum - The rapid rise in hormones during pregnancy and the dramatic fall in the postpartum period can contribute to depression, anxiety and other symptoms in women who are especially sensitive to hormonal fluctuations.
Perimenopause - In the years before menopause, progesterone declines and estrogen fluctuates unpredictably before falling. Women may experience a variety of symptoms, such as irregular periods, hot flashes and night sweats, sleep problems, anxiety, irritability, low mood, brain fog, fatigue, lower libido, and, over time, loss of muscle and bone.
Menopause - After menopause, estrogen falls to low levels. This accelerates bone loss and raises fracture risk, worsens cholesterol and blood vessel health and increases cardiovascular risk, and causes vaginal and urinary changes that can affect sexual health and comfort.
The good news is that these symptoms are generally treatable. Most notably, the scientific and medical community’s shift in recognizing the benefits of HRT – particularly when started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause – is providing women with an alternative to suffering through symptoms. If hormonal treatment is not an option for some women based on their medical history, non-hormonal treatments are also available.
Providing comprehensive and individualized mental health care
As dual certified mental health nurse practitioners, our practice is built around taking time to listen and understand what you’re experiencing and how your physical and emotional symptoms may be connected.
Looking at the whole person
A comprehensive evaluation helps us understand the big picture, taking into account your medical history, the physical and emotional symptoms you’re experiencing, and your stressors and life circumstances. Lab testing is ordered, as appropriate, to identify underlying medical conditions that could also be contributing to your symptoms.
Exploring medication options
Medications can be an important part of managing mental health. We look at a range of options from mental health medications to hormone therapy to evidence-based supplements. In some cases, genetic testing can be helpful in understanding how the body may react to certain medications. We work closely with patients to monitor and adjust treatments so that they find relief.
Working with a broader care team
Women’s health doesn’t typically fit neatly into one specialty. We believe in a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that brings together the right providers to support each patient’s unique needs.
We strive to work alongside your existing care teams while also connecting patients with trusted providers across specialties, including OBGYNs, therapists, psychiatrists, cardiologists, primary care providers, and other specialists.
By fostering meaningful collaboration and stronger connections across the healthcare community, we help create a more coordinated, comprehensive approach to women’s health.
A more connected approach to women’s health
With the addition of women’s health services to the Affinity team, we’re looking forward to providing greater support for women through their reproductive and hormonal transitions, while also continuing to provide high-quality comprehensive mental health care.
Whether you’re navigating menstrual-related mood changes, adjusting to life during or after pregnancy, or trying to understand symptoms of perimenopause, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Set up a consultation!