Menopause: Care, Screening, and Support

Menopause brings physical and emotional changes, and it isn't always obvious who to turn to about them — a gynecologist, an endocrinologist, a dedicated clinic, or maybe mental-health counseling too. Alongside the medical question comes another one: what's covered in the basic basket, what requires a referral, and what's worth checking in your Shaban or private insurance. Here's a guide to approaching it in an organized way.

Dedicated menopause clinics

Some HMOs and hospitals have dedicated menopause clinics or units, where gynecologists who specialize in the field guide women through the process — from assessing symptoms to discussing treatment options. Access to such clinics isn't uniform across regions, and wait times vary. If you're interested in this kind of care, it's worth contacting your HMO directly or asking your treating gynecologist whether there's a referral to a dedicated clinic, rather than assuming it's automatically available everywhere.

Screenings worth knowing about: hormones, bone density, and heart

Menopause is tied to several physical changes that call for monitoring, so it's worth knowing a few key screenings. Thyroid screening is relevant because menopause symptoms sometimes resemble those of a thyroid problem. A bone-density scan matters because of the drop in estrogen levels that affects bone, and it's usually included in the basic basket for certain populations at a defined frequency. And cardiac screening also gains importance around menopause, since cardiovascular risk changes during this period. It's worth checking the exact frequency and eligibility for each test with your HMO or treating doctor.

Hormonal and medication treatment: what to check

Hormone replacement therapy is one of the options discussed with a gynecologist or endocrinologist, based on your health status, symptoms, and personal preference. Some medications may be included in the HMO's medication basket, but not all of them, and a specialist referral or meeting certain criteria is sometimes required. Since this is a medical decision involving personal risk-benefit considerations, it's always a topic for a conversation with a doctor, not something to decide based on what you read online.

Emotional and mental-health support alongside the physical process

Mood changes, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and a general sense of emotional overload are a very common part of this period, and sometimes they're the hardest part to cope with. Some women also report a drop in self-confidence or a shift in sense of identity, especially when physical symptoms affect daily routine or functioning at work. Mental-health support — whether counseling, psychological treatment, or a support group — can be relevant alongside the physical treatment, and it's worth checking it under mental-health coverage separately from gynecological coverage, since they aren't always treated the same way by your policy or Shaban. Sleep difficulties that accompany this period are also worth checking through a sleep clinic if they persist over time, rather than assuming they'll pass on their own.

General preventive screenings for this period

Menopause is also a good opportunity to refresh your general preventive-screening routine — not just the tests directly tied to this period. It's worth looking at the broader picture through general preventive checkups for women and making sure no test has been overlooked along the way.

Perimenopause: when it's worth starting to check

Menopause symptoms usually don't start on one defined day, but develop gradually during a period called perimenopause, which can last several years before your periods stop for good. Many women don't recognize this period as such, and attribute symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, or irregular periods to other causes. If symptoms like these start appearing, there's no need to wait for an "official diagnosis" of menopause before seeing a gynecologist and asking about appropriate monitoring — reaching out early can help you understand what's happening and plan the right screenings ahead of time.

How Ravit can help

You can send Ravit your HMO, Shaban, or policy documents on WhatsApp and ask which menopause-related tests, consultations, or treatments are included for you, and what's required to access them — with a reference to the exact clause, and when there's no certainty, Ravit says so honestly.

The information in this article is general only and does not constitute medical, insurance, legal, or pension advice, and is not a substitute for reading your policy terms or consulting a licensed professional. Coverage, amounts, and conditions vary between policies and change over time — always verify against your own specific policy and an authorized professional.