Introducing Dr. Shannon Cothran, Founder of Meno-Start: A Pioneer in Personalized Menopause Care
When I sat down with Dr. Shannon Cothran, founder of Meno-Start in McLean, Virginia, she shared a powerful piece of advice often emphasized to medical students: A thorough patient history intake accounts for 90% of the diagnosis.
However, many women experiencing perimenopause and menopause aren’t getting the time or attention they need and are often left to navigate this natural life change on their own. Dr. Cothran, with her extensive background in obstetrics and gynecology, recognized this gap in care and decided to make a change.
Motivated by a desire to offer more holistic, personalized care, Dr. Cothran founded Meno-Start, a clinic dedicated to supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. Meno-Start combines expert medical care with tailored fitness programs, allowing Dr. Cothran to provide the kind of attention and comprehensive care often unavailable in traditional practice. By focusing on the importance of fitness and nutrition during this stage of life, Meno-Start offers a truly unique approach to women’s health.
Dr. Cothran has cared for women through every phase of life, and with Meno-Start, she’s ready to help women embrace menopause with confidence and wellness. Learn more about her expertise and how Meno-Start can support your journey.
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Hello Dr. Cothran! I'm pleased to meet you. I've read your LinkedIn profile, but can you introduce yourself to the McLean community?
Hello! I’m a board-certified OB/GYN practicing in Northern Virginia for more than 15 years.
I grew up in Vienna, Virginia, and went to James Madison High School before continuing on to the University of Virginia (UVA). I graduated in 1998 with a chemistry degree but elected to stay at UVA for two more years, doing lab research on polycystic ovarian syndrome. I later attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College (Sidney Kimmel Medical College) in Philadelphia and completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Jefferson Hospital in 2008.
Today, I am a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a certified menopause provider by the Menopause Society.
I’ve cared for a mix of obstetric and gynecological needs and enjoyed taking care of women at all phases of life. After realizing there is a blind spot in medicine for women in perimenopause and menopause, I started Meno-Start, a holistic, personalized care model to better serve perimenopausal and menopausal women.
I’m excited to be able to spend time with my patients that wasn’t possible in private practice. I also recognize how important fitness and nutrition are during this phase of life, so Meno-Start offers specialized fitness programs as well as medical support.
That is an esteemed background! What drove your early interest in gynecology?
I have always been interested in women’s health, and I liked the combination of being able to diagnose and treat that gynecology offers.
Obstetrics offers the opportunity to be part of the best days of people’s lives and to support them through the worst days. Pregnancy and birth are one of the most intense parts of the human experience—what a privilege to be part of that!
And now you've started your own practice called Meno-Start. Congratulations! Was owning your own business always part of your career plan? What was the genesis of this idea?
I did not intend to become a business owner, but I do love a challenge, and I’ve always been drawn to the leadership role of being a physician. I feel that doctors need to take back the narrative about health and wellness, and one path forward for that is to start our own out-of-network practices.
Growing up with my patients and being in perimenopause myself, I realized that the traditional gynecology practice is not serving this community, so…why not me? Even though I loved obstetrics, women are more than their reproductive years, and I’m excited to take care of people in a new way.
I think there is a general stereotype of what menopause is. Can you give us the clinical definition?
The clinical definition is that a person is menopausal after they have not had a period for one year. The average age is 51 years. Perimenopause is an ill-defined time before menopause, where hormone fluctuations can cause symptoms in all organ systems. It is similar to puberty.
Perimenopause can last around seven years, but more research is needed. After menopause, a person is menopausal for the rest of their life—what I like to call the next best phase!
How might perimenopause symptoms differ from menopause symptoms?
Perimenopause symptoms fluctuate more than postmenopause symptoms because ovulation can be irregular during this time, making symptoms irregular as well.
But the menopause journey is much more than just the end of a woman's menstrual cycle. It really is unique to each woman's journey, right?
Absolutely! Menopause, the end of estrogen and progesterone production by the ovary, affects the whole body. Some people breeze through the transition, and others have significant symptoms that seriously affect their quality of life and health.
There is more and more research being done about hormone deficiencies and how they affect the brain, cardiovascular system, bones and joints, as well as the pelvic organs and sexual health. This is why a 15-minute annual exam is not sufficient to address these issues. A concierge model like ours allows greater flexibility for longer and more personalized visits. We also use more tools in the toolbox, including alternative care options like recommending acupuncture or different hormone delivery methods.
It seems like women would need this concierge service to treat individual symptoms. Why haven’t I heard of clinics like this in Northern Virginia?
This is a great question, and it’s one that many people in this phase of life are asking! I think the answer is multifactorial and has to do with the structures of insurance-based care, which is more problem-based than wellness-based. There is an anti-aging bias that may be why women didn’t seek this type of care in the past. We are an innovative model, but I believe that you will see more and more practices like this in the future.
How did you decide to headquarter your office in McLean, Virginia?
We looked at many locations in Vienna, Fairfax, Falls Church, Tysons, Langley, Burke, and Arlington, but we decided on McLean for the convenience factor. Our office is located at 2010 Corporate Ridge, Suite 510, in McLean. This area is unique because of the high population of highly educated and professional women.
There is data showing that women in this age group are leaving corporate leadership opportunities due to menopausal symptoms. I felt that in this area, I could best help this population of highly motivated women who want to live their best lives.
I agree. That area is so convenient for clients coming from the I-495 Capital Beltway. What facilities do you have at your office?
I love how the office has come together. We have created a spa-like, relaxing feel. We call our waiting room “the Living Room,” and it features a big couch. The medical side has a traditional GYN exam room and a consultation office. Then, we have our fitness studio, which is bright and fun and offers a more private setting than a large gym. The studio is managed by our director of fitness and nutrition, Dulany Washington.
For anyone in McLean or beyond who is unsure if Meno-Start is the right place for them, do you offer a free tour?
Yes! We would love for people to come in for a tour. They can also schedule an intro call with me.
And for women who are interested in your services, what step should they take next?
They can book appointments and purchase packages through our website www.Meno-Start.com.
Thank you, Dr. Cothran, for sharing the story of Meno-Start. McLean is lucky to have you!
Thank you!
Schedule your free tour and meet Dr. Cothran.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle is a marketing strategist and content creator with a passion for health, wellness, and culture.
