MOCI Wellness

A few weeks ago, I recorded this on my first morning seeing patients at the Kind Clinic in Turlock and am still feeling the same excitement!

Through my partnership with LHE and the Women’s Health Initiative 360, we are expanding access to midlife and menopause care across more communities in California’s Central Valley, helping more than 200 women receive specialized women’s health care that has too often been unavailable or out of reach.

The reality is that we are facing a major menopause care gap. There are not enough providers trained in perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause care, and many women are navigating this phase of life feeling dismissed, confused, or alone.

That’s why this work matters so much.

Menopause literacy isn’t just about information: it’s about access. It’s about meeting women where they are and making sure they feel seen, heard, and properly cared for. It is about the necessity in receiving care, education, and support that should never have been difficult to find.

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of an initiative working to change how women experience healthcare in midlife, and I’m excited to continue bringing these conversations and this care to more communities!

Part 2 of yesterday’s reflection 💛

Caring for women through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond isn’t just my profession: it’s a privilege.

So many communities still don’t have enough resources or spaces dedicated to midlife women. I meet patients every day who have been searching for answers, wondering if what they’re experiencing is “just aging” or something they’re supposed to push through alone.

Midlife is a long journey. It isn’t always easy, but when women find the right support, treatment, and understanding, the change can be extraordinary. Feeling better isn’t just about today; it’s about protecting your future health, your relationships, your joy, and your sense of self!

If there’s one message I want women to hear: stay persistent. Ask questions. Seek resources. Advocate for yourself until you find someone who truly sees you, validates your experience, and helps you move forward.

And a special thank you to the patient who inspired this reflection! A powerful reminder that speaking up for yourself can change everything. It is never too late to find help, feel better, and reclaim your life✨

Good morning ☀️ Sharing Part 1 of a reflection I had after a long clinic day earlier this month.

After days like that, I often find myself thinking about the women I’ve had the privilege to care for. Their stories tend to stay with me long after I leave the office.

One patient I’ve seen for several years came in for her routine follow up visit. There was a time when she felt completely overwhelmed, exhausted, and at a very low point. Sadly, stories like hers are not uncommon. When she finally reached a moment where she knew she needed support, she found her way to care, stayed persistent in advocating for herself, and I’m incredibly grateful I’ve been able to walk alongside her in that healing journey.

But the truth is, many women are still trying to figure out where to turn or how to even begin.

Every day I meet women who have been struggling quietly. Waiting months for answers. Knowing something isn’t right but not feeling heard. There simply aren’t enough providers trained or comfortable offering comprehensive menopause care, and too many women are left searching for support on their own.

This work isn’t just about hormones. It’s about helping women feel steady again, restoring clarity, hope, and quality of life. For some, the right care can truly be life-changing… even life-saving.

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or at the end of your rope, just know that you aren’t alone and there are options for you!

Part 2 coming soon.

✨ A repost from last year but still so relevant for many of the women who come to my offices. ✨

I meet women in their late 30s and early 40s all the time who’ve been told they’re “too young” for perimenopause.

They’re not.

Perimenopause can begin 5–10 years before menopause.
So if menopause happens in your mid-40s? Symptoms in your 30s make perfect physiologic sense.

Timing matters.
Patterns matter.
And you deserve a provider who understands both.

Perimenopause isn’t rare; it’s universal. And being informed early changes everything!

If something feels off, trust that instinct.
You are not too young to ask questions. 💛

Fresh out of bed, in between some household errands, and just have something that has been on my mind.

Almost every week, I meet women who have asked about hormone therapy and were told it isn’t safe, not only that but that it causes cancer, heart disease, or blood clots.

Here’s the reality:

Menopause medicine has evolved!

We now have updated research, clearer risk stratification, and established clinical guidelines supporting hormone therapy as a safe and effective option for many women when appropriately evaluated.

For the right patient, it should be part of a preventive health strategy: supporting brain health, bone density, metabolic health, pelvic tissues, sleep, mood, and overall quality of life. What frustrates me most is not disagreement in medicine, it’s when outdated information prevents women from even having the conversation.

Women deserve informed discussions.
Women deserve individualized care.
Women deserve providers who stay current.

If you’ve been told hormones are “never safe,” it may be time for a second conversation!

Menopause care shouldn’t be hard to find and yet many women across California are still struggling to access knowledgeable support.

I see this reality every day in my practice, both here in Merced and in the Roseville community. The demand for menopause care continues to grow, and too many women are left navigating symptoms, uncertainty, and long waits on their own.

The good news: care does exist!

If you’re searching for answers, know that menopause care is available both in person and through telehealth across California. My virtual practice allows women throughout the state to begin conversations about symptoms, treatment options, and long-term health without needing to live near a major medical center.

Finding the right provider matters. The right guidance can help you feel better now while also protecting your health for the years ahead.

You deserve support, information, and options.

✨ If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start your menopause care journey, this is it.

WomensHealthCalifornia