Friday, September 12, 2025

Osteoporosis: The Midlife Dilemma

Estrogen is crucial for bone density maintenance. Its decline accelerates bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, particularly in the hips, spine, and wrists.

Recommended Checkups: 
• Bone Density Scan (DEXA Scan): Measures bone mineral density and assesses fracture risk.
• Vitamin D and Calcium Levels: Ensures adequate levels for bone strength.
• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Thyroid Function Tests: These help assess calcium metabolism and overall bone health.

Proactive health screening is designed to detect potential health problems earlier, so you have more options and potentially better outcomes. That said, here are a few additions commonly recommend for women as they enter menopause. All of these can be done through your regular ObGyn or PCP, but it’s important to understand that they are looking for disease, not imbalances that can lead to disease.

• Bone Density Test: Request a bone density scan if you have not had one by menopause or age 50.
• Blood Work: Get comprehensive blood work that goes beyond the basic CBC and chemistry panel, including vitamin D, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, ferritin; hsCRP, homocysteine, fractionated lipid panel, uric acid; TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3; HbA1c.
• Pelvic Exam: Even though routine pelvic exams are no longer recommended for asymptomatic women, changes related to menopause such as atrophy and lichen sclerosus, both of which can contribute to painful sex, as well as skin cancer can be detected early.

Bone health has quickly become a unifying theme among the Fall 2025 MIDLIFE CONSORTIUM - assembled by Roberta Morris (menopause coach/national educator) with clinical specialists- Dr. Robert Bard, Dr. Angela Mazza, Dr. Jess Sabrowsky and Dr. Barbara Bartlik. Osteoporosis, often silent until fracture, disproportionately affects women in menopause.  Morris (undergoing osteoporosis management herself), underscores the importance of pairing medical solutions with lifestyle interventions. She advocates for nutrition strategies, weight-bearing exercise, and awareness campaigns to ensure that women begin prevention early, long before fractures occur.

“One of the most overlooked consequences of menopause is the rapid acceleration of bone loss. Declining estrogen levels directly affect bone density, leaving women at greater risk for osteoporosis and fractures as they age", states Dr. Mazza. "Too often, these changes progress silently until a break occurs. That’s why I emphasize early screening, preventative lifestyle strategies, and a personalized approach to hormone and metabolic health. By addressing bone strength proactively—through nutrition, exercise, imaging, and integrative care—we can help women maintain resilience, mobility, and independence well into later life.” 

Dr. Bard highlighted that ultrasound technologies—once limited to breast and thyroid use—are now validated to measure bone density at the heel, offering a safe, radiation-free alternative to DEXA scans. Sabrowsky complements this with integrative options such as PEMF therapy, which shows promise in supporting bone regeneration, alongside pharmaceutical interventions like Prolia when clinically necessary.


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 The Women’s Health Professional Network Launches a New Consortium

By Carmen Regallo-Dewitt / Graciella Davi (Women's Health Digest)


A VISION FOR MIDLIFE HEALTH

9/11/2025- The Women’s Health Professional Network, an initiative under the AngioInstitute, has taken its next phase in reshaping how midlife and menopause care is delivered. At the heart of this momentum is Roberta Morris, a seasoned menopause coach whose commitment to empowering women has translated into a growing ecosystem of functional medicine, advanced diagnostics, and patient-centered education.

Guided by Morris’ vision for a clinical “Dream Team,” the Network has aligned with Dr. Robert L. Bard, a renowned diagnostic imaging specialist, Dr. Angela Mazza, an integrative endocrinologist recognized for her work in thyroid health and hormonal balance, Dr. Barbara Bartlik, an integrative psychiatrist specializing in emotional wellness and sexual health, and Dr. Leslie Valle Montoya, a longevity and regenerative medicine expert focused on detoxification and functional healing. Together, this leadership team is building a foundation that unites science, technology, and compassionate care to support women through the complex challenges of midlife.

In their most recent update meeting, the team proudly welcomed Dr. Jessica Sabrowsky, a family nurse practitioner affiliated with the Northport Wellness Center. With a patient panel that largely consists of women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, Dr. Sabrowsky’s focus on prevention, personalized treatment, and integrative modalities makes her a natural fit for the alliance.

Advocacy and Public Education

Roberta Morris’ appointment extends beyond the coordination of clinical collaboration. With networking guidance from executive director Dr. Lennard Goetze, she is actively engaged with national organizations such as the Menopause Foundation and the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, working to bring midlife education into schools, PTAs, and broader community networks.

By leveraging her policy connections in WashingtonD.C., Morris aims to expand the Network by advancing clinical science as well as supporting legislative and cultural recognition of menopause as a pivotal health stage. “We need to honor the woman as she transitions through midlife, not just manage her symptoms,” Morris insists.

Thyroid Health and Endocrine Solutions

Dr. Angela Mazza, endocrinologist and associate clinical leader of the program, contributes a vital dimension to the Network. Her expertise in thyroid and hormonal science directly intersects with midlife concerns such as weight gain, fatigue, and mood changes. Through ThyroidScan™, a joint educational and diagnostic initiative with Dr. Bard, Mazza is expanding access to advanced thyroid imaging and advocating for earlier interventions.

Mazza emphasizes that “hormonal changes in midlife don’t occur in isolation. Thyroid dysfunction, adrenal fatigue, and estrogen decline are often layered together. The earlier we can intervene with precision tools and integrative protocols, the better outcomes we see for both prevention and resilience.” Her leadership brings an evidence-based framework that bridges conventional endocrine medicine with functional and lifestyle-based care.

The Role of Advanced Imaging in Midlife Health

For Dr. Bard, the role of advanced imaging in women’s health is not merely diagnostic but revolutionary. He has long been a pioneer in using ultrasound elastography, thermography, and Doppler vascular studies to provide non-invasive, real-time insight into breast, thyroid, and cardiovascular health.

“Women often don’t want mammograms, especially those with dense breasts,” Bard explained. “With advanced ultrasound and thermal imaging, we can not only detect problems without pain or radiation, but we can also show patients when nothing is wrong—which is just as powerful for peace of mind”

His recent collaborations extend beyond the U.S., including being invited to speak at McGill University’s cancer conference in Montreal about elastography for breast and thyroid conditions. For midlife patients, Bard stresses that imaging can reveal hidden thyroid fibrosis, vascular compromise, or early bone density loss before symptoms arise.

Integrative Psychiatry for Midlife Women

Dr. Barbara Bartlik, psychiatrist and integrative medicine specialist, brings nearly four decades of experience to supporting women through midlife. Her approach blends psychotherapy, lifestyle medicine, and complementary therapies, addressing not just hormonal changes but also the emotional and relational challenges that accompany menopause. She is particularly recognized for her work in sexual health, creating safe space for women—especially cancer survivors and those on endocrine therapies—to discuss intimacy and psychological well-being often overlooked in conventional care.

Dr. Bartlik’s whole-person perspective allows her to collaborate seamlessly with endocrinologists, oncologists, and imaging specialists. By weaving psychiatric care into broader treatment plans, she helps women restore balance, resilience, and vitality. Her compassionate, integrative model reflects the Consortium’s mission: to provide midlife women with care that honors the connection between mind, body, and spirit.


The Arrival of Dr. Jessica Sabrowsky

Dr. Jessica Sabrowsky represents the clinical front line of the consortium. Based in NorthportNew York, her practice reflects a whole-person, integrative approach:

·        Preventive screenings for thyroid, menopause, and bone density issues.

·        Functional laboratory analysis to uncover root causes of fatigue, brain fog, and metabolic imbalance.

·        Therapeutic modalities including PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) for cellular repair, hyperbaric oxygen therapy for inflammation reduction, and PRP and IV drip therapy for nutrient restoration.

·        Biomagnetism and trauma reset therapies (QNRT) to address neuro-emotional triggers that often underlie chronic symptoms.

“Every woman goes through menopause. Nobody escapes it,” Sabrowsky reflected. “The key is to begin screening and educating early. If we can catch thyroid dysfunction or osteopenia before it becomes osteoporosis, we give women the best chance at longevity and vitality”

Her case studies demonstrate the promise of this model. One midlife patient, struggling with thyroid dysfunction, gut issues, and perimenopausal symptoms, experienced dramatic improvements in energy, sleep, and hot flashes within six weeks of integrative therapy. The only remaining challenge was bone density—a reminder that osteoporosis remains one of midlife’s greatest threats.


The Midlife Resource Consortium

This evolving initiative has now been formally branded as the Midlife Resource Consortium, a multi-disciplinary alliance designed to expand beyond conventional medical silos. The Consortium brings together:

·        Roberta Morris – Menopause coach and advocacy leader.

·        Dr. Robert Bard – Imaging specialist, innovator in ultrasound and thermography.

·        Dr. Angela Mazza – Endocrinologist, thyroid and hormonal health authority.

·        Dr. Jessica Sabrowsky – Integrative nurse practitioner, front-line clinician for midlife patients.

·        Dr. Barbara Bartlik - Integrative Psychiatrist

·        Dr. Leslie Valle Montoya – Physician focusing on perimenopause and integrative detox strategies.

·        Diane Taibi – Hair loss analyst, complementing hormonal and nutritional support for women facing midlife-related alopecia.

·        Gina Adams – Community outreach specialist with ScalpScan, addressing hair health and midlife self-esteem.

Together, these professionals form a holistic consortium that spans imaging, endocrinology, nutrition, functional medicine, advocacy, and aesthetics.


A Model for the Future

Executive Director Dr. Lennard Goetze has been instrumental in coordinating this expansion. He frames the Consortium as a “one-stop collaborative for midlife health,” where patients can access integrated care while professionals share knowledge and strategies.

“The strength of this model lies in connectivity,” Goetze emphasized. “From imaging and diagnostics to advocacy and lifestyle, we are weaving together a net strong enough to catch women before they fall through the cracks of fragmented care.”


Conclusion: A Crusade for Midlife

The launch of the Midlife Resource Consortium signals a new era for women’s health. What began as a partnership between a menopause coach, an imaging pioneer, and an endocrinologist has now grown into a nationally connected, multi-disciplinary alliance.

By welcoming new voices like Dr. Jessica Sabrowsky and expanding into bone health, thyroid care, hair wellness, and community outreach, the Consortium is building a comprehensive roadmap for midlife women—one that emphasizes prevention, personalization, and empowerment. In the words of Roberta Morris, “This is not just a program. It’s a movement to give women the resources, respect, and resilience they deserve as they enter one of the most defining chapters of life.”



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