Introduction
Welcome to this learning series, brought to you by the National Menopause Foundation. In this module, we will discuss the basics of menopause.
The transition through menopause can be a challenging and confusing time for many women. But it’s important to understand that menopause is not a disease or disability. Instead, it’s a normal stage of female reproductive life that most of us will experience naturally.
By the end of this module, you’ll understand:
- What menopause is and what it Isn’t
- The symptoms associated with menopause
- Treatment options for menopause-related symptoms, including menopause hormone therapy
Presenting Experts:

Andrea Singer, MD, FACP, CCD, is Chief Division of Women’s Primary Care, Director of Bone Densitometry and Fracture Liaison Service, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medicine at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She is also an associate professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medicine.In addition, Dr. Singer is the Chief Medical Officer of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF).
Dr. Singer’s clinical areas of expertise are women’s primary care, Osteoporosis, bone densitometry, secondary fracture prevention, menopause, sexual health, and medical and gynecologic disease.
Dr. Singer is board-certified in internal medicine and is a clinical densitometrist for interpreting bone density testing. She has established a post-fracture care program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and received a sexual health counseling and education certificate from the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts in human biology from Brown University. She received her MD at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

Heather L. Johnson, MD, is a board-certified, recently retired (12/31/2023), award-winning obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) after practicing for more than 45 years and delivering more than 3,500 babies. Prior to her retirement, Dr. Johnson was Managing Physician at Reiter, Hill & Johnson, an Advantia practice with offices in Washington, DC, Chevy Chase, MD, and Falls Church, VA.
She is the author of two books, “What They Don’t Tell You About Having a Baby: An Obstetrician’s Unofficial Guide to Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Life” and “What They Don’t Tell You About Menopause: A Gynecologist’s Unofficial Guide to Premenopausal, Perimenopausal, and Post-menopausal Life.” In both books, she shares what she has learned throughout her career, fact-filled and up-to-date medical insights, humorous anecdotes, and “Dr. J’s Pearls” of bite-sized advice & information.
Dr. Johnson continues to be involved in women’s health care and education, including community activities that support, foster, and facilitate their promotion. She isa member of the Women’s Wellness, Health & Aging Project at Johns Hopkins Medicine; the Membership chair and a founding member of the Impact 100 DC chapter; and a member of the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle. She previously served on boards and committees at Columbia Hospital for Women, Sibley Memorial Hospital, Hospital for Sick Children, Mary’s Center, The Landon School, and Stoneridge.
Dr. Johnson has been one of the top doctors in the Washington, DC, area for Obstetrics and Gynecology, as voted by her peers in both the Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Doctors list since 2007 (and was featured in and appeared on the cover of its November 2023 issue!) and Bethesda Magazine’s Top Doctors list since its 2019 inaugural biennial issue.
Dr. Johnson completed her undergraduate education at Valparaiso University, where she graduated summa cum laude and received her MD at Yale University School of Medicine. She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, then located in Washington, DC.
Dr. Johnson is Board-Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She served in the US Army for eight years before entering private practice.