The Midlife Health Upgrade You Didn’t Know Existed: Direct Primary Care

Hello Warriors!

This week’s episode of The Suburban Warrior Podcast introduces you to a physician whose beliefs about medicine have evolved in the most powerful way: Dr. Raina Gazurian. From early in her training, she imagined healthcare as a place where patients felt known, not processed; where their stories mattered as much as their symptoms. But years inside traditional medicine taught her a hard truth—connection takes time, and time is the one thing the system refuses to give. That realization pushed her to reflect deeply on what healing really requires.

Two moments drove the shift home: a longtime patient tearfully admitting she couldn’t reach Raina when she needed her most, and Raina’s own daughter whispering, “You’re always working.” Those words cracked open a truth she could no longer ignore: her beliefs about care and the reality of practicing it were worlds apart. She began questioning not just the pace of medicine, but the purpose of it. Was she helping people thrive—or simply moving them through?

What emerged was a new philosophy rooted in presence, calm, and genuine partnership—the very essence of direct primary care, a model that finally aligned with the doctor she always intended to be. Today, Raina is bringing that philosophy to life at Lanai Health in Doylestown, PA, creating a space where women—especially those in midlife—feel heard, supported, and cared for in a way our healthcare system rarely allows.

The “VIP List” for Your Health: 7 Power Moves We Learned from Dr. Raina

1. Direct Primary Care = Your Doctor on Speed Dial (Minus the Drama)
Instead of billing insurance, Dr. Raina uses a simple membership model that covers primary care: physicals, sick visits, chronic care, refills, and ongoing questions. No copays, no surprise bills, no arguing with a portal. You pay her directly—and in return, you get time, transparency, and actual access. When you call or text, it’s her, not a phone tree.

2. The System Is Built for Sick Care—She’s Building Well Care
Traditional healthcare rewards episodic, rushed visits: you get seen when you’re already sick, and then… see you in a year (maybe). There’s almost no space for “How do I stay well?” or “I don’t feel like myself, but my labs are ‘normal.’”
Dr. Raina flipped that script. With longer visits and ongoing communication, she can focus on prevention, lifestyle, midlife transitions, and emotional health—not just refilling prescriptions and moving on.

3. Midlife Women Aren’t “Complaining”—They’re Under-Cared For
Her midlife patients come in with a familiar combo: fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and feeling unlike themselves, even when they’re “doing everything right.” Instead of brushing it off as aging or stress, she validates it, digs deeper, and talks openly about perimenopause, hormone therapy, lifestyle shifts, and realistic expectations. Translation: you’re not crazy, your body is changing—and you deserve thoughtful care, not a pat on the head.

4. The Vibes Matter: Goodbye Paper Gowns, Hello Couch Chats
Her office is designed to lower your shoulders before your blood pressure cuff goes on. Think cozy, living-room energy instead of cold exam table and crinkly paper. Many visits happen on the couch, talking like actual humans. She’ll bring the blood pressure cuff to you. That calmer environment doesn’t just feel better—it helps combat “white coat” anxiety and leads to more honest conversations.

5. She’s Not Anti-Insurance—She’s Anti-Insurance Interference
You don’t have to ditch your insurance to see Dr. Raina. Most of her patients still use it for meds, labs, imaging, and specialists—but she’s removed it from the equation of your primary care relationship. That means no one is telling her how long your visit can be, whether she can do telehealth, or if she can come to your house. And bonus: sometimes cash-pay prices for labs and tests are cheaper than your copay—something she helps patients navigate.

6. Hormones, Headlines, and Honest Risk-Benefit Talks
When the FDA removed the black box warning from certain estrogen therapies, Dr. Raina saw it as a huge moment for women. She’s clear: every medication has risks, from Z-paks to birth control. The magic is in understanding your personal risk, your symptoms, and your goals. Menopause isn’t a moral test you have to “tough out”—it’s a physiologic transition with options, from lifestyle to hormone therapy, that should be discussed without fear-mongering.

7. Your Health Team Should Feel Like a Village, Not a Maze
Stepping out of the big hospital system means she can build her own referral village—specialists and practitioners who share her patient-first values, both inside and outside traditional systems. That way, when she sends you to someone, it’s not because a hospital contract says she has to—it’s because she genuinely trusts them to care about you the way she does.

If this episode hit a nerve—if you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s office feeling worse than when you walked in—share it with a friend.

Because midlife shouldn’t be about shrinking yourself to fit a broken system. With doctors like Dr. Raina Gazurian, it can be about building a care team that finally fits you.

Hot Flashes? Mood Swings? Science Says…
Try Masturbation.

A new study led by sex researcher Dr. Justin Lehmiller suggests that masturbation may play a meaningful role in easing menopause symptoms—and plenty of women agree. In a survey of more than 1,100 women ages 40–65, nearly 1 in 5 reported that self-pleasure helped relieve symptoms like mood changes, stress, and sleep disturbances. Even more notable: almost half said they’d be open to using masturbation as a symptom-relief strategy if their doctor mentioned it. Researchers concluded that self-pleasure is a legitimate, low-risk, accessible tool for symptom management—and encouraged clinicians to talk about it openly.

To read more, search:
“The role of masturbation in relieving symptoms associated with menopause – Lehmiller et al.”

Ready to go from Confusion to Clarity?

Feeling stuck, confused, or a little gaslit by the “it’s just aging” shrug? Let’s change that—book a free integrative health consult with Crissy. Crissy’s an integrative health practitioner with real-world medical experience who blends science-backed therapies with natural, doable habits so you can feel like yourself again. After her own 10-year battle with perimenopause, she’s made it her mission to ensure no woman has to suffer in silence. In your consult, you’ll get a judgment-free space, clear next steps, and tools you can use right away. If you’re ready to move from survival to thriving, reach out—Crissy’s got you.

Ready to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife?

Reclaiming your health in midlife isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. Whether you’re feeling out of balance, run down, or simply not like yourself, this is your moment to take charge. The From ‘Pause to Power Roadmap is your free, practical guide to navigating perimenopause with clarity, confidence, and zero shame. Download it now and take the first step toward feeling stronger, more energized, and unapologetically you—redefining midlife wellness with grit and grace!

Ready to Warrior Up!

Listen to the Full Episode: Suburban Warrior podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for reading—and remember, knowledge is power! If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them. There is help (and hope) out there. Stay tuned for our next newsletter to keep transforming your mindset and rocking your inner warrior!