We are just starting to understand more about menopause than we did ten or twenty years ago when women suffered through it in silence. My job is to help you understand what is happening, decide which treatments make sense for you, and stay as healthy as possible for the years ahead. Aster is a women's health program for perimenopause and menopausal women.
Aster is for women, roughly 40 to 65, who are noticing changes during perimenopause or menopause and aren't always sure what to do about them.
Maybe you're dealing with:
You may already eat pretty well and exercise, but you're finding that your body isn't responding the way it used to. Or maybe you know there are things you could be doing differently, but you're not sure what would actually make the biggest difference.
That's something we can work on together. We'll look at what you're actually eating, how you're exercising, how you're sleeping, your stress, your symptoms, and what's going on with your health. Then we'll figure out what makes sense to change and keep adjusting as we see how your body responds.
Hormone therapy may be part of that, but it doesn't have to be. We can also use nonhormonal medications when appropriate and work on the everyday things that can make a real difference in how you feel and your long-term health.
If you have a history of cancer or went into menopause because of cancer treatment, that's something I'm very comfortable working with as well. I've spent almost 10 years in oncology, so I understand that your treatment options and concerns may be different.
You don't need to come to Aster already knowing what you need. That's part of what we'll figure out together.
Aster finds the highest-impact problems affecting your health right now and builds a prioritized plan around them.
Hot flashes, sleep, mood, brain fog, libido, and vaginal and genitourinary health. Hormone therapy when it is appropriate, and evidence-based nonhormonal options when it is not.
Weight and waist changes, insulin resistance, prediabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure, reviewed with labs and a nutrition strategy built for glucose stability and sustainable habits.
A resistance-training and movement plan to protect muscle and bone, preserve function, and lower long-term risk. Strength is one of the most powerful ways to protect your health in this stage of life.
A prioritized action plan with regular check-ins, barrier reviews, and stepwise adjustments so progress is something you can actually sustain lifelong.
Oncology-informed menopause care for breast cancer survivors, women on endocrine therapy, and women told they cannot use hormone replacement therapy.
Your labs, symptoms, history, and lifestyle are analyzed and we develop a personal plan for you. We continue to monitor what is going well, your top priorities, and what you're struggling with the most.
The Foundations Program gives us time to work on your individual symptoms while building healthy habits to improve longevity and quality of life.
You'll check in weekly so I can follow your symptoms, progress, and response to treatment. We can then decide whether a change is necessary.
We'll meet at least monthly, and more often when needed, to make treatment changes and continue working through your symptoms and health priorities.
We'll work on your diet, exercise, sleep, and stress patterns. We'll figure out what's already working, what could be improved, and what changes realistically fit into your life.
When medication is appropriate, I'll manage and monitor your treatment, including hormone replacement therapy and nonhormonal medications for menopause symptoms.
The goal is to keep working through your concerns throughout the year while continuing to monitor the progress we've already made. When the year is over, you'll transfer into the maintenance program where I will continue to manage your medication and monitor your health through menopause. At any time, if a new symptom arises or a life change happens and more intense care is needed, you can easily repeat the Foundation program with 3 or 6 month intervals.
Most women will need the first year to build a new foundation of health before moving into the maintenance program. It includes frequent monitoring, problem solving and adjustments which are tailored to your individual needs.
For patients whose symptoms are well controlled and who need less frequent adjustment.
I am a woman in early menopause who has seen the lack of care in this area for myself. I have 3 children and work fulltime so I understand how difficult it is to adjust to these changes. I don't want women to navigate this stage of life without the support, education, and medical care they deserve. My goal is to help you understand what is happening in your body, improve your symptoms, and make decisions that support your health not only today, but for decades to come.
Every woman has different goals and different risks. My role is to explain the evidence, answer your questions, and help you choose the approach that makes the most sense for you.
"My hope is that you feel comfortable in your own body again. Healthy, confident, and strong."
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, AOCNP. Practicing since 2016.
Start with a Discovery Visit. We will tell you honestly whether we are the right clinic for you. Serving Lakewood Ranch, FL.
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