World Menopause Day falls on October 18, 2026. The date is promoted each year by the International Menopause Society, and this year's theme is chronic pain at midlife.
The symptoms women report most often are not always the ones people expect. In a survey of 19 000 U.S. women in perimenopause or menopause compiled by Health & Her, a menopause-focused digital health platform, low energy (79%) and sleep disturbances (74%) were the most frequently reported symptoms, according to a summary published by Patient Care.
In Pensacola, Dr. V Wellness offers hormone therapy for women and men. The practice is led by Dr. Vaidehi Patel, MD, a board-certified physician known to patients as Dr. V, who focuses on hormone optimization, peptide therapy and functional wellness.
For women, the practice says perimenopause, menopause and post-surgical hormonal shifts can bring hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog and diminished libido. Its approach is diagnostic first: Dr. V does not prescribe based on symptoms alone, and treatment is considered when lab data confirms a deficiency or imbalance that matches what the patient describes.
A first appointment sets aside 45 to 60 minutes to review medical history, current symptoms, medications and goals. Lab panels cover 12+ markers, including estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S and thyroid function. Protocols can use bioidentical pellets, creams or injections, and follow-up labs at 6 to 8 weeks show how the body is responding before any adjustment.
Dr. V Wellness sees patients in person at 1560 Airport Blvd in Pensacola and serves patients across Escambia County.
"Fatigue and poor sleep are easy to brush off as part of a busy life, and many women do exactly that for years. We would rather measure than guess. A full lab panel and an unhurried first visit tell us whether hormones are part of the picture, and if they are not, the patient leaves with that answer too," said a spokesperson for Dr. V Wellness.
Hormone Therapy Checklist
- Write down your symptoms, when they started and how they affect sleep and energy before the visit.
- Ask which hormones and markers the lab panel will measure.
- Bring a list of current medications and supplements.
- Ask how often follow-up labs are drawn and how dosing is adjusted.
- Ask who manages your care from the first visit to follow-up.