For many women, menopause can feel confusing, overwhelming, and isolating. Symptoms may begin years before menopause officially occurs, bringing physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that can affect nearly every part of daily life. To help women better understand and navigate this life transition, Victoria Cummings, MD of Western Colorado Physicians Group is launching a new in-person group class focused on menopause and perimenopause education, support, and wellness.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is officially defined as going one full year without a menstrual cycle. For women who naturally experience menopause with their uterus and ovaries intact, the average age in the United States is approximately 51 years old.
However, the transition leading up to menopause – known as perimenopause – often begins much earlier. According to Dr. Cummings, many women experience symptoms for five to seven years before menopause officially occurs.
During perimenopause, hormone levels begin to fluctuate, leading to symptoms such as:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Heavier or lighter bleeding
- Weight gain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood changes
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Changes in libido
Some women may also experience menopause earlier due to surgery, autoimmune conditions, cancer treatments, medications, or premature ovarian failure.
A Comprehensive and Supportive Approach
Dr. Cummings created this class to help women better understand what is happening in their bodies while providing practical tools and evidence-based strategies for symptom management.
“This class is really a deep dive into menopause and perimenopause and the changes that are happening within our body,” Dr. Cummings explains. “It’s about empowering women with information and helping demystify a lot of the misinformation that’s out there.”
The class will explore menopause from multiple perspectives, including:
- Hormonal and physical changes
- Nutrition and dietary strategies
- Exercise and physical health
- Sleep support
- Mood and anxiety management
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Supplements and medications
- Pelvic floor health
- Sexual wellness and libido
- Weight management
Participants will also hear from guest speakers covering specialized topics such as pelvic floor physical therapy and mindfulness practices for anxiety and mood changes.
More Than Education: A Community of Support
One of the most important goals of the class is creating connection and community among women experiencing similar life changes.
Because the same group of participants will meet together over the full eight weeks, the class is designed to foster peer support, validation, and shared learning.
“A lot of this is collaboration between women and peers so women can feel heard, feel validated, and share their experiences with others going through similar changes,” says Dr. Cummings.
Rather than focusing solely on medical treatments, the class encourages women to explore a full spectrum of options so each participant can find an approach that works best for her individual needs.
Class Details
Flourish Through the Change: Menopause & Perimenopause Group Class
- Instructor: Victoria Cummings, MD
- Location: Western Colorado Physicians Group, Floor 2 – 1120 Wellington Ave, Grand Junction, CO
- Dates: Wednesdays beginning June 3rd, 2026
- Time: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Cost: $80 deposit refundable upon completion of all 8 classes
- Who Can Join: Open to all women experiencing perimenopause or menopause. Participants do not need to be patients of WCPG or Primary Care Partners
Call Western Colorado Physicians Group at (970) 241-6011 to join or for more information.
Menopause is a natural transition, but that does not mean you need to navigate it alone. Through education, practical guidance, and community support, this new class aims to help you move through this stage of life with greater confidence, understanding, and connection.
