Women going through perimenopause and menopause often have a lot of questions and concerns about the changes happening to their bodies, both inside and out. Unfortunately, they’re often told that these changes are just a normal part of aging and something they have to live with. One local medical practice is setting out to prove that this is not the case.
“I was part of a busy OBGYN practice for 12 years and felt like we weren’t managing and caring for women after their childbearing years well,” says Dr. Peter Palacio, the founder of VIVA! GYN in Bend. “I especially knew that we weren’t handling women in menopause very well. I thought that we could do better, and I think I struck a nerve because women were feeling unheard,” he says. One of his main focuses is to educate women about midlife and menopausal changes that happen to them physically, mentally, and emotionally. “A lot of women will think it’s just them—that they’re broken when it’s normal age-related physiology.”
While VIVA! GYN provides all the pertinent medical exams found in a gynecological practice, it also offers so much more. One of its therapies is Mona Lisa Touch®, which Dr. Palacio explains is a non-hormone laser treatment that effectively treats vaginal and bladder symptoms that occur with menopause. It takes less than 10 minutes and is painless.
Another focus is to assist women with not only feeling their best on the inside, but also looking their best on the outside. “We believe in helping patients live their best lives,” says Physician Assistant Alyssa Abbey, who has more than 15 years of experience in dermatology and aesthetics. “When people start feeling better inside, for example, by having more energy, more vitality, better sleep, improved relationships, and a better mood, it only makes sense that they would want their appearance to reflect just how good they feel,” she says.
Alyssa says that offering aesthetics along with treating women as they age makes absolute sense. They currently carry the Galderma line of aesthetics which includes a complete line of facial fillers, as well as Dysport® neurotoxin. There are more services to come as VIVA! GYN plans to provide facials, peels, microdermabrasion, and more in the new year.
“I find aesthetic medicine very rewarding,” says Alyssa. “Sometimes doing something very subtle like a bit of filler or Dysport® can go miles in helping someone feel better when they look in the mirror. We’re not changing their appearance, only softening some of the evidence of aging in a natural and beautiful way. Helping women navigate the ups and downs of menopause and perimenopause is a breath of fresh air. I believe VIVA! GYN is changing the paradigm of ‘suffering through it,’ that women were taught to believe was their only option,” she says.
Adds Dr. Palacio, “I think it’s a privilege to know I’m contributing to (a patient’s) health and well-being and along the way they actually get to feel better. When they say, ‘I feel like myself again,’ that’s pretty special.” VivaGyn.com
VIVA! GYN
2450 NE Mary Rose Place, Bend
541.323-3747