Dr. Makeba Williams: Menopause Q&A
Introduction
Makeba Williams, MD, FACOG, MSCP, provides care at the newly established Midlife and Menopause Clinic, which offers comprehensive women's healthcare.
Makeba Williams Interview
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to specialize in menopause care?
I’m an academic obstetrician-gynecologist and certified menopause provider with more than 20 years of clinical experience. At the beginning of my faculty career, a 60-year-old patient said to me, “I am going to give you a chance to be my doctor, but I don’t want to be lost in the sea of pregnant women in the waiting room.” I saw that as a challenge to make sure that I develop an inclusive practice where women received attentive and expert care, no matter their stage in life. I have intentionally cultivated a practice to deliver comprehensive care to midlife and menopause women. Over the course of my career, thousands of women have quietly shared stories of feeling blindsided by symptoms and changes during midlife. Many report feeling a loss of control, unmoored as they navigate perimenopause into the post-reproductive phase of life. Others hesitate to speak up, fearing dismissal or trivialization of their concerns. This silence is rooted in gaps in education and cultural stigma and has left women feeling isolated. That inspired me to dedicate my career to breaking that silence through education, advocacy, and patient-centered care.
What drew you to join UICOMP and help launch a dedicated menopause program here?
My work focuses on training the next generation to provide equitable and high-quality, evidence-based menopause care. By 2030, there will be an estimated 1.2 billion menopausal women worldwide. While menopause is universal, the experience is anything but. Sociocultural factors—customs, language, values, racial and ethnic identities—interact with biology to shape unique menopause experiences. Rural women often experience higher rates of untreated menopause symptoms, fragmented care, and limited access to comprehensive menopause care. I’m excited to join UICOMP to ensure that women in Central Illinois, including rural communities, receive expert, evidence-based care. Through the Center for Health, Awareness, and Research on Menopause (CHARM), we will raise awareness, advance research, and create a gateway for rural populations to access comprehensive care. We’re launching a training program for students and residents to prepare the next generation of providers to provide this care by embedding menopause education into medical school and residency training curricula to prepare future clinicians for rural practice.
How does your past experiences shape the way you approach caring for women in midlife and beyond?
Having cared for women from diverse backgrounds—geographically, culturally, and socioeconomically—I’ve learned that every menopause journey is unique. My approach is evidence-based, rooted in science and cultural responsiveness, empathy, and shared decision-making. I strive to meet each woman where she is and tailor care to her individual needs and context.
Many people still think of menopause as a single moment in time, but it’s really a transition. How do you help patients understand what’s happening in their bodies?
Menopause is not a single event. Women will spend as much as 50% of their lives in menopause. The transition presents an opportunity to consider how to optimize health, enabling everyone to live their best life. The hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect multiple organ systems (such as cardiovascular, neurologic, musculoskeletal, and more) and can impact quality of life and personal and professional relationships. I take the time to help my patients understand what is normal, what is treatable, and how lifestyle, behavior, and medical interventions can improve overall health and quality of life.
What are some of the most common misconceptions you encounter about menopause?
One misconception is that women must just “tough it out.” Another is that symptoms are limited to hot flashes, when in reality sleep, mood, cognition, and heart health can all be impacted. There is also lingering fear about hormone therapy that does not reflect current science. Education is key to dispelling myths and empowering informed choices.
Why is it important for women to have access to specialized menopause care rather than just general primary or gynecologic care?
Menopause care is nuanced and requires expertise in hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, bone and cardiovascular health, and mental well-being. Specialists can provide comprehensive, individualized care that goes beyond routine exams—helping women thrive, not just cope, during this stage of life.
How does menopause affect not only physical health but also emotional well-being, relationships, and quality of life?
Menopause touches every dimension of a woman’s life. Mood shifts, sleep disruption, brain fog, and changes in libido can impact quality of life, strain intimate relationships, and alter self-perception. Many women find that the menopause transition reshapes how they experience themselves and their relationships — changes that deserve to be named, taken seriously, and addressed with the same rigor as any other aspect of health. Socially, the stigma around menopause can lead to silence and isolation at a time when women most need support. Professionally, the impact is equally significant: in the U.S., 15 million women between ages 45 and 60 work full time, contributing as leaders and experts across every sector. Untreated symptoms can reduce productivity and drive premature workforce exits, with 1 in 5 women considering leaving their jobs; menopause related work absenteeism represents approximately $1.8 billion in annual lost productivity. Partnering with employers, we aim to help create supportive workplace cultures that provide education, resources, and access to care.