WHAT I TREAT
The symptoms that fall between specialties.
The patterns women get dismissed for rarely fit neatly inside one diagnosis. Here's a closer look at what I focus on - and what usually gets missed when no one takes the time to connect it.
Perimenopause, Menopause & HRT
The in-between years and everything after. Hormonal shifts behind what you're feeling - evaluated carefully, treated thoughtfully, and monitored closely.
Symptoms I commonly see
- Hot flashes, night sweats, and temperature dysregulation
- Sleep that isn't restorative - waking at 3 AM, difficulty falling back asleep
- Brain fog, word-finding difficulty, and changes in focus
- Mood shifts, irritability, and anxiety that feels new
- Irregular cycles, heavier or lighter periods, changes in cycle length
- Low libido, vaginal dryness, and discomfort with intimacy
- Joint pain, muscle aches, and stiffness that appeared seemingly overnight
- Weight changes despite no change in habits
- Fatigue that a full night's sleep doesn't fix
HOW I APPROACH IT
Comprehensive evaluation of the hormonal shifts behind what you're feeling, paired with HRT and nonhormonal treatment options prescribed carefully and monitored closely. Not a checklist of what's "age-appropriate" - a real conversation about your body, your history, and what makes sense for your life.
Gut, Immune & Inflammatory Symptoms
The symptoms that have been labeled IBS for years without anyone looking for an underlying cause - and the inflammatory patterns that often travel with them.
Symptoms I commonly see
- Chronic bloating, constipation, reflux, or diarrhea
- Ongoing digestive discomfort often labeled as IBS without a clear explanation
- Food intolerances that have evolved over time
- Joint pain and stiffness that shifts or comes and goes
- Symptoms that worsen around hormonal changes
- Features suggestive of connective tissue conditions - hypermobility, unusual bruising, unexplained pain patterns
HOW I APPROACH IT
These symptoms are common, but they're often given a label like IBS or anxiety without a deeper look at why they're happening. I take the time to look at the whole picture, understand the underlying drivers, and build a plan that actually works for you.
Fatigue, Pain & the Symptoms No One Believes
Chronic fatigue that labs can't explain. Pain that's been labeled without anyone asking why. The symptoms you've been told are stress, aging, or in your head.
Symptoms I commonly see
- Exhaustion that doesn't respond to sleep, vitamins, or more "self-care"
- Chronic widespread pain, including diagnoses labeled fibromyalgia
- Unexplained headaches or migraines that have shifted in pattern
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or symptoms on standing
- Heart palpitations or racing heart without a clear explanation
- Symptoms that worsen with stress, hormonal shifts, or illness
- Overlapping symptoms that have never been explained as a whole
- Anxiety diagnoses that don't quite fit the full picture
HOW I APPROACH IT
These symptoms are frequently labeled fibromyalgia or anxiety, especially when testing doesn't provide clear answers. They may worsen in perimenopause and get waved off as stress or aging. They are often overlapping, and not always separate issues. I take the time to connect the dots and build a plan around what's actually going on.
What this practice isn't.
This isn't primary care, and it isn't a replacement for your gynecologist. I'm an internal medicine physician with a dedicated focus on women's hormonal, inflammatory, and whole-body symptoms, which means I work alongside your existing care team, not in place of them.
When something you're experiencing sits outside of my scope, I'll tell you honestly and I'll help you find the right person for it.
I often take an interdisciplinary approach to care. I can initiate evaluation for certain gynecologic concerns, but may coordinate with your gynecologist for further assessment and treatment. When additional workup is needed, I may involve other specialists such as gastroenterology or rheumatology. I also may recommend supportive therapies like pelvic floor physical therapy, therapy, or other modalities when appropriate.
Being clear about where my work ends is part of doing it well.
Not sure if this is the right fit?
If your symptoms don't quite line up with what you've read here, or you're not sure whether what you're experiencing is something I work with, send me an email before booking. I'd rather have the conversation up front than have you book an appointment that isn't going to serve you.
katie@katierowanwellness.com
If you saw yourself in this list - let's talk.
60-minute first appointments, in-person on Long Island or virtual from anywhere in New York State.