Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, typically occurring in her late 40s or early 50s. This transition, marked by the end of menstrual cycles, brings significant hormonal changes affecting both physical and emotional health. Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and cognitive changes, which can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. Understanding and managing these changes is crucial, and access to specialized healthcare services plays a vital role in this process.
In Barbados, the healthcare system has improved to address the unique needs of women experiencing menopause. With an increasing focus on women’s health, the country has seen a change in its approach to providing comprehensive menopause care. For many years, Physicians only had at their fingertips a mixture of various traditional treatments to help women navigate this life stage, however since 2022 BioConnect Medical Centre changed the landscape of healthcare with its modern, holistic approach integrating the latest medical advancements, equipment and treatment options.
Let’s find out how BioConnect Medical is revolutionizing menopause care with advanced treatments and a holistic approach tailored to women’s unique needs!
A Journey Rooted in Passion and Expertise
Dr. Roberta Corona, the Medical Director of BioConnect Medical, has been instrumental in shaping the clinic’s approach to women’s health. With a background in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dr. Roberta brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Her journey from Italy to Barbados, driven by a deep commitment to women’s health, has enabled her to build a clinic that not only addresses menopause symptoms but also promotes overall well-being.
Dr. Roberta’s journey into women’s health began with a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. Her determination saw her through medical school in Italy, where she initially aspired to be a surgeon.
However, during her clinical rotations, she discovered her passion for obstetrics and gynecology. “It was a C-section on my first day at the clinic, there was this suddenly out of the blue, new life in the room. It was just one of the most amazing memories of my life,” she recalls. This profound experience set her on a path to specializing in gynecology and obstetrics, combining her love for surgery with the miracle of new life.
Dr. Roberta’s expertise extends across continents. After completing her fellowship in endometriosis surgery in Belgium, she moved to the Caribbean, drawn by the opportunity to work in a fertility clinic in a sunny, island environment. Her international background, including practicing in Belgium, Italy and the UK, has enriched her approach to women’s health, making her a prominent figure in the field.
Establishing BioConnect Medical
While traveling to South America, Dr. Roberta encountered an advertisement for a fertility clinic in the Caribbean. This opportunity led her to Barbados, where she spent eight years at a fertility center before venturing into menopause care. “I started to be very interested in menopause,” she explains. This interest stemmed from recognizing a significant gap in knowledge and care for women in perimenopause and menopause.
Together with her business partner Rachel de Gale, Dr. Roberta established a clinic dedicated to women over 40, addressing the often-neglected phase of menopause. “We have seen more than 5,000 patients in two years,” she proudly states, underscoring the clinic’s exponential growth and the profound need for specialized care in this field.
Comprehensive Care
At BioConnect Medical, the approach to women’s health is holistic, integrating various aspects of care to optimize well-being. “The approach is listening, then understanding,” she says. This patient-centric model is crucial, especially in addressing the multifaceted nature of menopausal symptoms.
One of the clinic’s core strengths lies in its integrative medicine practices, combining nutrition, supplements, lifestyle changes, and advanced medical treatments. “Integrative medicine is a big part of our clinic,” Dr. Roberta explains. This comprehensive approach ensures that each patient receives personalized care, tailored to their specific needs and health goals.
Unique Challenges and Opportunities in Menopause Care
BioConnect Medical is described as the Caribbean’s first clinic dedicated to menopause transition. This presents unique challenges and opportunities in the region. Menopause is poorly acknowledged worldwide and even more in small communities like Barbados. “There is a common belief that there are more ‘serious’ disorders than menopause, which is a ‘natural stage of life’ and therefore is dismissed,” Dr. Roberta explains.
The main challenge is to educate people about menopause, understanding that it has significant repercussions on women’s health, longevity and quality of life. “This is also a great opportunity to change the mentality from treating to preventing; we are starting a revolution in women’s health,” she adds.
Addressing Common Menopausal Concerns
Menopause brings a range of symptoms, from fatigue and cognitive changes to joint pain and vaginal dryness. The clinic addresses these concerns with a variety of treatments. “One of the most common complaints is that patients say,” they don’t feel themselves anymore,” Dr. Roberta notes, highlighting the profound impact of hormonal changes on mental and physical health.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a cornerstone of the clinic’s treatment offerings. “HRT helps significantly, especially body-identical bioidentical HRT,” she states. This form of therapy mimics the hormones naturally produced by the body, providing effective relief from many menopausal symptoms.
Joint pain, often overlooked, is another common issue. “There is a strong link between joint pain and menopause,” she explains. Estrogen deficiency can lead to inflammation in the joints, but treatments like HRT, anti-inflammatory diets and supplements can provide relief. Vaginal dryness, leading to painful intercourse, is also addressed with treatments like topical estrogen and innovative technologies such as the MonaLisa Touch laser therapy.
Innovation and Technology
Staying at the forefront of medical advancements is a priority. Dr. Corona continuously updates her knowledge through research, conferences and collaborations with international experts. “I never stop studying. This is my passion,” she asserts, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the latest treatments and technologies.
The clinic boasts advanced technologies, including the MonaLisa Touch for vaginal health and the EMSELLA chair for pelvic floor therapy. These innovations enhance the quality of care and provide patients with effective, minimally invasive treatment options. “We want to be really kind of advanced,” Dr. Corona says, highlighting the clinic’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology.
Innovations in Bone Health Screening
BioConnect Medical has introduced new technologies like the Echolight Bone Density Ultrasound machine. Dr. Roberta emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention for osteoporosis, especially since research indicates that up to 20% of bone loss happens in the first five years of menopause.
“This technology makes screening for bone health easy, safe (is radiation-free), accessible, and affordable for everyone,” she explains. The clinic has partnered with the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) to offer free bone density tests to all members who have a consultation at the clinic, highlighting their commitment to community health.
Advanced Technologies for Enhanced Care
The clinic uses the latest technological advancements to enhance patient care. Dr. Roberta’s international connections enable the clinic to access and implement innovative treatments from around the world. “Because of my international background, I’m very connected so we are able to get products and equipment from everywhere in the world,” she notes.
The clinic conducts internal trials to ensure the efficacy and safety of new treatments before offering them to patients. This rigorous approach ensures that patients receive only the best and most reliable care.
Adapting to Cultural and Individual Needs
One of the unique challenges in Barbados is addressing the diverse cultural and genetic backgrounds of patients. Dr. Corona and her team prioritize understanding each patient’s context to provide culturally sensitive care. “We try to be always tolerant and very, very open and respectful for every culture,” she explains. This adaptability ensures that the clinic’s care plans are effective and respectful of each patient’s unique needs and preferences.
Empowering Patients through Education
Knowledge is power, and education is a critical component of patient care. Dr. Roberta believes in empowering her patients with information about their health and treatment options. “I give lots of information to my patients. I will explain everything,” she says. This transparency fosters a collaborative relationship between the doctor and the patient, leading to better health outcomes.
Every patient receives detailed guidance and literature to help them understand their treatment plans and make informed decisions. This educational approach is complemented by preventive medicine practices, aiming to address the root causes of health issues and prevent future problems.
Individualized Menopause Care
The individualized care approach ensures that each patient’s treatment plan is tailored to their specific needs. Dr. Roberta emphasizes the importance of understanding each patient’s lifestyle, diet and exercise habits.
“We ask questions! When you understand what’s the patient’s lifestyle, diet, how much they exercise, and what’s their priority, then you can create a plan for them,” she explains. This personalized approach is particularly important for women going through menopause, as symptoms and their severity can vary widely.
Impact of Research on Caribbean Women’s Health
Dr. Roberta has plans to compile data on Caribbean women’s health, which could significantly impact treatment options and patient care in the future. “Medical research unfortunately suffered from misogynism and racial disparity for a long time,” she states.
Most clinical trials and medical guidelines are based on the Caucasian male population, leading to a lack of understanding of how treatments affect women, particularly women of color. “Women are not small men; they have different organs, functions, different hormones, and they respond in different ways to the same stimulus or drug,” she explains.
This gap in research has contributed to higher rates of complications for women, especially Black women, who are often underrepresented in clinical studies. “This is unacceptable; we can do better, and we are actively working on this.”
Expanding Access through Telemedicine
BioConnect Medical offers telemedicine consultations for HRT treatments, expanding access to menopause care in the Caribbean. “To my knowledge, there is only one other menopause specialist between all other islands, so having access to menopause management is very limited,” Dr. Roberta notes.
The clinic fills this gap by offering tele-consultations and facilitating prescriptions of HRT in collaboration with local GPs or gynecologists. Patients can also fly to Barbados for certain treatments if necessary, and many insurance companies cover treatments or procedures done in the region if not available locally. “They become part of our BioConnect family; we have a newsletter every month with lots of useful information, tips, and educational materials,” she adds.
Education: A Pillar of Effective Care
As the first certified menopause practitioner in Barbados, Dr. Roberta sees education as a vital component in improving menopause awareness and care in the region. “Education about menopause and chronic disease, about longevity and preventive medicine, about lifestyle and nutrition is key,” she asserts. The clinic aims to be present in the community through seminars, webinars, blogs, and social media, making education accessible.
Dr. Roberta is also starting to tutor medical students about menopause, recognizing that it is rarely part of the curriculum. “We need to collaborate with GPs and other specialties to avoid delays in diagnosis and misdiagnosis,” she emphasizes, addressing the real problem of many women undergoing multiple unnecessary tests before being diagnosed and treated for perimenopause.
Integrative Medicine and Lifestyle Modifications
The clinic combines traditional medical treatments with complementary therapies to optimize patient outcomes. “Integrative medicine is a big part of our clinic,” Dr. Roberta says. This approach includes dietary & lifestyle modifications, supplements and integrated practices that support overall health and well-being.
For instance, the clinic offers bone density testing using a radiation-free ultrasound machine, providing a safe and effective way to monitor bone health. The clinic also provides dietary & exercise advice, health coaching and personalized treatment plans that incorporate both medical and holistic therapies.
Myths and Realities
Dr. Roberta stresses the importance of accurate information about HRT, aiming to dispel myths and misconceptions. “Spreading the message, of how important it is to treat some of the menopause symptoms. They are not benign necessarily. Important is the preventive role of HRT,” she asserts.
HRT not only alleviates menopause symptoms but also plays a preventive role in protecting against diseases such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular issues. The clinic ensures that HRT is tailored to each patient’s needs, providing safe and effective treatment options.
Cultural Sensitivity in Healthcare
Barbados is a culturally diverse island, and the clinic is committed to providing culturally sensitive care. Dr. Roberta highlights the importance of understanding patients’ cultural backgrounds to tailor treatments effectively. “Every time you talk to someone you kind of need to understand the background, the cultural background. And you need to adapt,” she says. This respect for cultural diversity ensures that all patients feel understood and valued, enhancing their overall healthcare experience.
Expanding Reach and Research
Looking ahead, the clinic aims to expand its services and continue its commitment to research and education. “We are expanding our clinic,” Dr. Roberta reveals, indicating plans to increase capacity and cater to more patients from Barbados and other Caribbean islands.
A significant focus for the future is creating guidelines tailored to the Caribbean population. Dr. Roberta is passionate about addressing the lack of research on menopause in Afro-Caribbean women and aims to gather data to develop evidence-based guidelines. She highlights the need for studies that consider the unique genetic and cultural factors of the Caribbean population.
Future Plans and Expansion
The clinic is poised for growth, with plans to expand its clinic and services. The upcoming phase two expansion will increase their capacity, allowing them to serve more patients and extend their reach to other islands in the Caribbean. Dr. Roberta is also passionate about conducting research specific to the Caribbean population, aiming to create guidelines that cater to the unique needs of Afro-Caribbean women.
“My dream that is work in progress is to create some guidelines specifically for the Caribbean population and to create a community specifically for these women,” she shares. This commitment to research and community-building reflects the clinic’s dedication to advancing women’s health in the region.
A Revolutionary Approach to Menopause Care in the Caribbean
BioConnect Medical is leading the charge in revolutionizing menopause care in the Caribbean. Through its holistic approach, advanced medical technologies and commitment to research and education, the clinic is setting new standards for how menopause should be treated.
Dr. Roberta’s dedication to addressing the unique needs of Caribbean women, coupled with her focus on expanding access to care and creating a supportive community, makes BioConnect Medical a beacon of hope for women crossing this critical stage of life.
As we celebrate World Menopause Day, we honor the work of BioConnect Medical in transforming menopause care and improving the lives of women in Barbados and beyond. With its innovative treatments, comprehensive care and forward-thinking research, BioConnect Medical is ensuring that women across the Caribbean can embrace menopause with confidence, knowing that their health and well-being are in capable hands.
Key Innovations and Treatments
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Body-Identical Bioidentical HRT
- Advanced Technologies
- MonaLisa Touch Laser Therapy
- EMSELLA Chair
- Echolight Bone Density Ultrasound Machine
- Integrative Medicine
- Holistic Approach
- Personalized Care
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Respect for Diversity
- Educational Initiatives
- Seminars and Webinars
- Monthly Newsletter
- Medical Student Tutoring
