communityspotlight
Growing through Transitions Women’s Wellness at GWCIM by Kami Nicole Veltri
Be the fearless rose: embrace transition with grace and continue to grow. Your positivity may pervade your experience. ~Rumi
T
he Persian poet and Sufi mystic Rumi wrote, “The flowers flee from autumn, but not you; you are the fearless rose that grows amid the freezing wind.” Like the fleeing flowers, we frequently fear change; as Western women, we often dread our own autumn, a time marked by the progressive cessation of our menstruation—that is, our menopausal transition. Menopause, while often causing dis-ease, is not a disease; it is a natural part of aging, characterized by hormonal changes spanning many years. Though it is considered complete when a woman does not menstruate for 12 consecutive months, perimenopausal hormonal changes precede this cessation and continue beyond this milestone. The experience of the menopausal transition for each woman, like the woman herself, is unique and, like health, is affected by an array of biological, cultural, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Research shows that attitudes toward menopause have a significant role in the experience, largely serving as self-fulfilling prophecies. Women who have negative attitudes toward menopause and aging are more likely to report both a greater number and a greater frequency of menopausal symptoms. This autumn, the GW Center for Integrative Medicine is embracing its own transformation and growth. Dr. Susan Hurson and Rosina Cabo have joined Dr. Deirdre Orceyre and Mary Kendell to expand their Women’s Health Initiative to serve women through all transitions of life. Hurson is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, and a 44
Washington, D.C.
Rosina Cabo Cabo’s areas of interest include: addressing hormonal imbalances for men and women, infertility, irregular menstrual bleeding, menopausal problems, osteopenia, osteoporosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premenstrual syndrome and thyroid disorders.
Dr. Susan Hurson member of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine. Aside from general gynecology, her areas of interest include: abnormal Pap smears; hormonal problems including premenstrual symptoms, irregular cycles, menopausal changes, mood disorders and hormonal interactions; vulvar skin problems; vulvar pain, i.e., vulvodynia and pain with sex, bladder pain and interstitial cystitis. One of the joys of her specialty, Hurson enjoys seeing women of any age who need gynecologic care. Cabo is a board-certified physician assistant with additional board certification in anti-aging, regenerative, and functional medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, as well as a Master of Science in metabolic and nutritional medicine. Her treatment plans incorporate bioidentical hormone replacement, nutrition, herbals, lifestyle adjustments, and complimentary therapies to help the body heal and regain balance.
NaturalAwakeningsDC.com
Dr. Deirdre Orceyre Orceyre has specialty training in naturopathic women’s health and has studied with naturopathic gynecology leaders, Drs. Tori Hudson and Kimberly Windstar. She works to identify unique functional imbalances that may be leading to conditions such as: premenstrual syndrome; irregular menses; menstrual cramps; polycystic ovarian syndrome; endometriosis; uterine fibroids; ovarian cysts; hormonally related symptoms, such as acne and migraines and perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, fatigue and irritability. Dr. Orceyre uses specialty