Introduction
The Women’s Health Collaborative MIDLIFE Health Group is proud to present this powerful firsthand narrative by Sabine Gee, a dedicated Midlife Health & Menopause Coach and passionate advocate for women’s wellness. For years, Sabine has guided countless women over 45 through the complexities of perimenopause, seeking out forward-thinking tools and progressive care strategies that go beyond conventional medicine. Yet it was her long-awaited meeting with Dr. Robert Bard in New York City that would profoundly reshape her clinical perspective.
A pioneer in patient-centered diagnostics and the visionary behind the groundbreaking MenoScan, Dr. Bard offers a refreshingly transparent, hands-on approach to imaging and risk assessment for midlife women. Drawn by a shared commitment to addressing the overlooked and often dismissed symptoms of perimenopause, Sabine sought to experience firsthand how advanced imaging could reveal crucial insights often missed in traditional screenings.
This encounter not only deepened Sabine’s understanding of integrated midlife care but forged a meaningful alliance between two advocates committed to empowering women through proactive, personalized diagnostics. Together, their collaborative mission champions a future where women are seen, heard, and equipped with the knowledge to reclaim agency over their health journey.
"A Personal Journey Into Advanced Midlife Diagnostics
As a Midlife Health & Menopause Coach, I’m always on the lookout for tools, research, and experts that help women over 45 reclaim their energy, confidence, and health. But sometimes, an experience leaves such a strong impression that it shifts your perspective entirely. That’s exactly what happened during my visit with Dr. Robert Bard in New York City.
Dr. Bard is not your typical radiologist. He is a pioneer in patient-centered diagnostics and the visionary behind the MenoScan—a groundbreaking set of advanced imaging protocols designed to identify hidden risk factors in midlife women. What sets him apart isn’t just the technology he uses, but how he uses it: with the patient, not behind the scenes.
As someone navigating midlife myself, I was curious about the real impact imaging could have on health outcomes—not just for me, but for my clients. I wanted to see what the MenoScan could reveal about my body and how it might complement traditional blood tests.
I was greeted warmly and shown around the office by Dr. Bard himself—a rare experience in today’s medical world. He listened attentively as I shared my health history and specific concerns, then tailored the session to fit my needs.
The Front-Row Experience
What followed was nothing short of remarkable. We began with thermal imaging of my hands and feet—checking for signs of inflammation and arthritic changes. He also performed thermal imaging of my neck and my eye—the latter to assess blood flow to the brain, which is a crucial indicator of brain health. From there, we transitioned to a scan of my neck and carotid artery. With each scan, Dr. Bard explained what we were seeing, in real time.
The most powerful moment? When he examined my thyroid and carotid artery while I sat beside him. The screen was visible to both of us. He explained the health of my thyroid, showed me the blood flow, and answered my questions with care. I felt part of the process. Seen. Heard. Empowered.
So many midlife women struggle with symptoms they don’t understand: fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, hot flashes. And too often, they’re told it’s all "just aging." But that’s not good enough.Thyroid health, for example, often goes unchecked beyond a standard blood panel. Yet imaging can detect tissue changes or inflammation well before bloodwork reveals any issues. In fact, Dr. Bard explained that non-invasive tools like elastography and Doppler imaging can even help predict malignancy or rule it out, guiding early intervention.
And when it comes to cardiovascular health, many women are shocked to learn that heart disease is the #1 cause of death post-menopause. While I had recommended calcium scans in the past, I was amazed to learn that Dr. Bard's ultrasound-based scan of the carotid artery can detect early vascular changes even before calcium scans show plaque. This is crucial information for women deciding whether HRT is right for them.
It’s important to note that these are just a few of the many tools included in the comprehensive MenoScan protocol. To explore the full range of what the MenoScan offers, visit: www.menoscan.org
A Diagnostic Revolution
Dr. Bard is revolutionizing how we approach diagnostics. In most U.S. clinics, a technician does the scan, a radiologist reads it later, and the results are then relayed to the patient via yet another doctor—a sharp contrast to what I’m used to in Europe, where each doctor typically performs and interprets their own imaging.
Dr. Bard defies this fragmented model. He holds the probe himself, interprets the scans in real time, and makes the patient an informed partner in the process.
He’s also not afraid of potential litigation or protocols that discourage real-time patient dialogue. Instead, he believes in transparency, empowerment, and human connection—qualities that are sadly rare in modern medicine.
As Dr. Bard says:
"We don't just look for disease. We look for patterns, for early changes, for what might become disease. That's where prevention begins.”
The MenoScan is more than a test—it’s a foundation for informed decision-making. Combined with bloodwork and a skilled practitioner, it gives women a full picture of what’s really happening inside their bodies. It highlights the multi-factorial nature of menopause: how hormones, cardiovascular function, thyroid health, inflammation, and even mental well-being are interconnected.
Too often, women are prescribed antidepressants during perimenopause when the real issue is hormonal fluctuation. Too often, they’re told “nothing is wrong,” or that symptoms are "just part of aging."
But as I always say: "The ones with symptoms are the lucky ones.”
Because at least their bodies are speaking up, prompting women to look for solutions, so they can take charge of their health and a healthy, active & joyful next chapter. Let’s stop brushing off women’s symptoms. Let’s start offering them real answers, powerful tools, and a seat at the table when it comes to their own health. Thanks to Dr. Bard, I left not only reassured but equipped—with knowledge, images, and insight I could use to take the next step in my health journey. Every woman deserves this.
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