For many women, perimenopause and menopause bring unfamiliar changes that can often be overlooked in routine care. To help address this gap, Alameda Health System (AHS) will launch a virtual group medical visit (GMV) program at Hayward Wellness in January 2026.
“There is a great deal happening during this transition, including shifts in mood, relationships, weight and overall wellbeing,” shared program creator Sweena Burroughs, nurse practitioner (NP). “Routine visits often don’t allow time to unpack these changes, and this program helps women feel informed, supported and in control.”
Inspired by questions and concerns she heard from female patients in their 40s and 50s, Burroughs designed the curriculum to blend health education, peer connection and lifestyle strategies that support both physical and emotional wellbeing.
The clinician-led session incorporates four core pillars: improving sleep, balancing nutrition and blood sugar, maintaining regular movement and building effective stress-management skills. The skills learned through these pillars lay a strong foundation for navigating perimenopause, a stage that often begins in the early to mid-40s and can last several years before menopause, which typically starts around age 51.
Symptoms can include hot flashes, sleep disruptions, anxiety, brain fog, joint pain, palpitations and mood changes. “The cognitive symptoms are often the ones people don’t associate with this transition,” Burroughs noted. “Because hormone fluctuations vary so widely, treatment has to be individualized.”
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains one of the most effective options for symptom relief, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), yet myths and outdated warnings have left many women uncertain about its safety.
In November, the FDA removed the boxed warning on HRT products related to stroke, heart attack and dementia, reflecting updated evidence that risks vary by age and timing.
The six-week series will give Burroughs a chance to address these misconceptions directly. “Many women are influenced by what their mothers were told decades ago,” she shared. “We now have a much clearer understanding of the risks and benefits. Clearing up misinformation will help patients feel confident about their options.”
Burroughs and her team, Elibet Jimenez, group visit coordinator and Karla Santos, medical assistant, plan to launch the first cohort in late January 2026 as a pilot for Hayward Wellness patients and will then assess interest in future in-person sessions or wider referrals.
Regardless of format, the goal remains clear. “This is really about positioning women for long-term health,” Burroughs shared. “We want women to approach perimenopause and menopause with practical tools to promote healthy aging and lower their risk of chronic illness.”
The group will meet virtually on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. To join, call the Group Coordinator at 510-266-1733 or ask your provider for a referral.