The Big Picture
Better menopause care starts with listening to women about what they need. For Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson, an assistant professor in the University of Utah College of Nursing and co-founder of MENOGAP, those conversations pointed to a clear need: access to conventional care, natural medicine, and reliable information.
That community input helped shape MENOGAP, a group medical visit model designed to help women understand and manage menopause symptoms—and feel more empowered in their own care.
What’s Happening
Taylor-Swanson and her team have pilot-tested MENOGAP, with encouraging results. Participants experienced improvements in hot flashes and other menopause symptoms, measured using validated scales. They also reported increased self-efficacy—the confidence to take an active role in managing their health.
The program connects education with practical tools. Taylor-Swanson points to self-acupressure as one example of an evidence-based approach women can use to help manage anxiety. Learning a technique they can use themselves, and potentially share with their children for self-regulation, can give participants a greater sense of control.
MENOGAP is currently on hold, but Taylor-Swanson hopes to offer it again. The team has developed roughly 400 slides of educational content, and she anticipates that more information may become available on the University of Utah’s website.
Why It Matters
Menopause symptoms can leave women feeling anxious and disempowered. Access to clear information, practical strategies, and knowledgeable providers can help them better understand their options and participate in decisions about their care.
For Taylor-Swanson, the pilot results show the promise of a model built around what women themselves said they wanted. The goal is not just symptom improvement, but helping women feel equipped to respond when symptoms arise.
That work is part of a broader effort at University of Utah Health. Taylor-Swanson says its Midlife Women’s Health and Menopause program includes approximately 10 providers—including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians—who are menopause certified.
The Bottom Line
Women looking for menopause information and care can start with University of Utah Health’s menopause resources and explore the Midlife Women’s Health and Menopause program.
Taylor-Swanson also encourages women to look for the MSCP credential, which stands for Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, when choosing a provider. Appointments may involve a long wait, but connecting with a clinician trained in menopause care is an important next step.
While MENOGAP is not currently being offered, its pilot work highlights a promising approach: listen to women, give them useful information, and help them build confidence in managing their health.