Your Health. Your Future. THE NEXT CHAPTER
Partnering in Perimenopause,
Menopause, Postmenopause & Hormone Health
Dr. Sherrod Hamlin, DO
Let's Collaborate
Dr. Sherrod Hamlin, DO
I am a Board-Certified Family Physician and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). I was trained to treat the whole person, not just a list of symptoms.
My practice is built on a single promise: I believe you. After years in Family Practice and Urgent Care, I realized that midlife women were falling through the cracks of the standard medical system. If labs were "within normal limits," symptoms were dismissed as "Everything's normal." Pattern recognition said there was more going on here. I founded The Next Chapter to provide the detailed and unrushed care that is impossible to deliver in a 15-minute appointment.
My philosophy is grounded in evidence-based hormone optimization. Hormones are a Resource, Not a Risk. Coupled with lifestyle and the awareness of biopsychosocial principles, together, we will design a plan for you that restores your vitality and preserves your heart function, bone strength, and mental acuity for your next chapter.
Signs & Symptoms: It is NOT just Hot Flashes.
Body: "What is happening?"
- Weight gain around the midsection
- Dry, itchy, or thinning skin
- Unusual joint pain and stiffness
- Muscle loss despite exercise (sarcopenia)
- Exercise intolerance (feeling hit by a truck after every workout)
- Daily fatigue or needing to nap
- Frozen shoulder
- Plantar fasciitis
- Unusual injuries from routine movement
- Bloating and slowed digestion
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Thinning hair on the scalp
- Unwanted facial hair
- Brittle or peeling nails
- Dry eyes or changes in vision
- Irregular periods (shorter or longer cycles)
- Excessively heavy periods
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Low libido or loss of desire
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Recurrent UTIs or phantom bladder infections
Brain: "Where are my words?"
- Brain fog
- Memory retrieval issues
- Word-finding difficulties
- Loss of focus or difficulty concentrating
- Executive dysfunction
- Proprioception issues (bumping into things)
- Choice paralysis over simple decisions
Mood: "Nothing has changed. Why do I feel overwhelmed?"
- New-onset anxiety or panic
- Irritability or white-hot rage
- Depression or low mood
- Emotional withdrawal and introversion
- Feeling overwhelmed by routine tasks
- Heightened startle reflex
- Apathy or loss of joy
- Sudden loss of self-confidence
Weird Ones: "What IS that?"
- Burning mouth or tongue
- Itchy ears (deep in the canal)
- Formication (sensation of insects crawling on the skin)
- Electric shock sensations under the skin
- Heart palpitations
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Changes in body odor or scent
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- New-onset allergies or histamine intolerance
Sound familiar?
If you are nodding your head to any of the above, you are not crazy, and you are not alone.
You are likely navigating perimenopause or menopause.
Let's talk.
Getting Started with The Next Chapter
Step 1: The 15-Minute Prospective Patient Chat
Step 3: The 90-Minute Clinical Review & Goal Setting
Step 1: The 15-Minute Prospective Patient Chat
Healthcare is deeply personal. I offer a complimentary virtual conversation to ensure I am the right partner for your health goals before we commit to a year of working together.
If I happen to remind you of a disagreeable relative, or if you simply don’t care for my style, it is much better for both of us to know that upfront.
Healthcare is deeply personal. I offer a complimentary virtual conversation to ensure I am the right partner for your health goals before we commit to a year of working together.
If I happen to remind you of a disagreeable relative, or if you simply don’t care for my style, it is much better for both of us to know that upfront.
While we won’t discuss specific medical advice in this chat, we will cover any questions you have about the practice's framework. No pressure, just clarity.
If we both feel we would like to work together, we will proceed to the next step.
Step 2: The Onboarding Package
Step 3: The 90-Minute Clinical Review & Goal Setting
Step 1: The 15-Minute Prospective Patient Chat
After we meet, I will email you 3 things.
- Onboarding paperwork.
- The Deposit Link.
- Medical history forms/screeners.
Once I have received all three, I will review your history, adding any additional labs to the requisition as needed, and create your medical chart.
I will send your Lab Requisition directly to your lab to get baseline labs over the next few days.
Step 3: The 90-Minute Clinical Review & Goal Setting
Step 3: The 90-Minute Clinical Review & Goal Setting
Step 3: The 90-Minute Clinical Review & Goal Setting
The initial consultation is comprehensive and in person. Before your first visit, I will review your medical history and lab results in detail.
Expectations for the first visit:
- Review of History
- Routine Physical Exam
- Assessment of Goals
- Medical and Membership Plan for the year.
Where do you want to be in a year?
12-Month Recalibration
True hormonal health is not a quick fix; it is a slow, steady return to self. Depending on your history, where you are in your cycle, or whether your periods have stopped entirely, your body requires a thoughtful approach. We often need to start low and go slow. Hormones are powerful messengers, and rushing the process can lead to a bumpy ride. By committing to a year, we will ensure your transition is smooth, safe, and sustainable.
The Roadmap
Your membership includes a structured rhythm of care to ensure we are hitting your goals.
All follow-up visits offer a Telehealth option to respect your busy schedule.
1) 15 Minute Prospective Patient Chat: (Complimentary)
2) 90 Minute In-Person Clinical Review & Goal Setting: A 90 Minute in-person clinical review. We set the destination together.
3) 30-Day Check-In:
We discuss your initial response to treatment.
Are you sleeping better? Is the brain fog lifting?
This is our first opportunity to make micro-adjustments to your protocol based on real-time feedback.
4) 3-Month Review:
We review your first round of follow-up laboratory results.
We compare these metrics against your baseline to assess how your body metabolizes the treatment and adjust your prescriptions for optimal balance.
5) 6-Month Calibration:
By now, many patients feel a significant shift in vitality.
We reassess and ensure your treatment evolves alongside your lifestyle and health goals.
6) 12-Month Reevaluation:
We review a full year of data and symptoms.
We celebrate your progress, update your long-term screenings, and map out your strategy for the year ahead.
Portal Access & Communication
Your secure AthenaOne Patient Portal is your private, direct line to the practice, effectively eliminating phone tag and waiting on hold.
Log in 24/7 to:
- Request a medication refill
- Schedule/cancel appointments
- Review your lab results and medical records
- Ask me medical questions about your treatment between visits.
Response Time: You can expect a thoughtful response to your portal messages within 1-2 business days.
What to Expect from Me
I am your clinical lead and your advocate. I will never sell you something for personal profit. My role is to provide evidence-based expertise. I am looking at your health through a wide lens, considering your heart, bones, brain, and your overall Health Span. You are investing in a partnership where you never have to worry alone.
Getting Started with The Next Chapter
Certified Menopause & Hormone Therapy Training
