The Body She Doesn’t Recognize
October 8, 2026
When Beth Judd was in her early 50s, she knew it was time to find a women’s health doctor with a special interest in menopause and perimenopause. Her body was changing, and not in a good way. She wanted to navigate this natural change with confidence, so Beth advocated for herself by finding a specialist.
“I wanted a gynecologist who could help me more with this stage in my life. I looked at Dr. Susanne Archer’s reviews, and it was the reviews of women my age who said she had helped them with perimenopause and menopause — plus the convenient location — that made me choose her,” said Beth.
“The Change”
Beth has noticed that women speak less about their gynecological health as they age. When she, her sisters and friends were younger, they talked about their periods, cycles, and cramps, and labor and delivery. But now, when it comes to talking about menopause, it’s “crickets.”
“Menopause is like going through a second puberty,” Beth laughed. “You wake up, and suddenly your body is doing things it never did before. You never know what’s going to happen. You have hair growing out of places you never did before. You can’t eat anything without something else changing in your body. Suddenly you’re in a body you don’t recognize, and you’ve done nothing differently.”
Beth’s symptoms led her to seek help. She described the disruption of her sleep cycle as “brutal.” She referred to hot flashes as “being on fire.” She also experienced weight gain and loss of libido. Beth tried to do everything she could on her own, but nothing changed.
Meeting Dr. Archer
Susanne Archer, MD, Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, Obstetrics & Gynecology, prescribed menopause hormone therapy (MHT) for Beth, which she has taken for about five years.
“Beth was experiencing several classic symptoms related to the decline in estrogen that occurs with menopause, including significant hot flashes, disrupted sleep and mood changes,” said Dr. Archer. “Because these symptoms were affecting her quality of life, hormone therapy was an appropriate option to consider. We reviewed her individual health history and risk factors, including those discussed through genetic counseling, and explored the potential benefits and risks together. For Beth, we determined that menopausal hormone therapy was the appropriate path to improving her symptoms and overall quality of life.”
“I wasn’t concerned about hormone therapy because my family doesn’t have a strong history of breast cancer, and I have no heart issues,” said Beth.
The Results
Beth has seen symptom improvement. Within the first few weeks, her hot flashes were gone. She was sleeping better too. MHT does not generally help with weight loss, but Beth has achieved that goal through other means.
“Going to Dr. Archer made a world of difference,” said Beth. “What I like about Dr. Archer is that as a woman she can relate, and she collaborates with me about my care. She is open to discussion. She doesn’t dismiss me. When we meet, we have a conversation.”
Individualized Care is Key
“Every woman and their body is unique. We know that exercise, nutrition, and other healthy lifestyle choices are important during menopause, but women shouldn’t have to struggle when those measures aren’t enough,” said Dr. Archer. “Menopause can feel like a rollercoaster, and my role is to listen, acknowledge what a woman is experiencing, and help her understand her options. When menopausal hormone therapy is being considered, individualized, informed care is key.”
Beth offers this advice: “There is no reason to struggle with perimenopause and menopause. You don’t have to struggle, so why would you?”
You don’t have to navigate menopause alone.
Whether you're experiencing early signs of perimenopause or navigating menopause symptoms, expert care can help you feel your best.