New OB-GYN at Clínica Romero empowers his patients by helping them understand their bodies and make informed decisions about their health
An obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) like his father in his native Colombia, Dr. Rodrigo Cifuentes firmly believes that education and transparency empower women to care for their health in the best possible way.
“Empowering patients and helping them understand what is going on with their bodies is a big part of how I practice medicine,” he notes.
This has been his philosophy throughout more than twenty years of medical practice—an approach he brought to Clínica Romero when he joined the organization.
“I’m from Colombia, and I’ve always had the inclination to work with underserved populations and help the Latino community thrive,” Dr. Cifuentes said.
His experience and expertise further strengthen the robust women’s healthcare services at Clínica Romero, which, he says, set this Los Angeles institution apart from similar organizations.
“The overall comprehensive care that we offer patients—in my field, women’s healthcare—includes not only pregnancy, pre-pregnancy counseling, and prenatal care, but also OB-GYN services for all ages: pre-teen, adulthood, and menopause. It’s a very complete package that we offer,” said Dr. Cifuentes, who followed in his father’s footsteps by choosing medicine.
“I was exposed to different specialties, but I’ve always been more excited and more drawn to women’s healthcare. Helping mothers, daughters, and grandmothers has always felt like the right thing to do.”
COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE
Comprehensive women’s healthcare services—from preventive care to family planning and healthy living—are a cornerstone of care at Clínica Romero.
In his practice, Dr. Cifuentes addresses a wide range of concerns, including abnormal bleeding, pregnancy, menopausal symptoms, surgical needs, and screenings for cervical and breast cancer.
His care begins with patients entering puberty, as they navigate changes such as the onset of menstruation. Dr. Cifuentes notes that menstrual cycles can be irregular or different during the first few years.
“It could be heavier or more crampy, but as long as it’s healthy and they’re not bleeding too much, I usually advise patients to let their bodies go through the natural process of developing or maturing, rather than immediately starting birth control pills to regulate it.”
He always explains the pros and cons of such treatments, which, he says, “may have consequences in the future.”
For pregnant patients or those planning to conceive, Dr. Cifuentes emphasizes the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle—maintaining a balanced diet, exercising, and undergoing general health evaluations to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Menopause, another life stage marked by major hormonal changes, can significantly impact a woman’s well-being. Sometimes, he says, small dietary adjustments or supplements are enough to ease the transition. In other cases, hormone replacement therapy may be helpful. His role is to educate his patients about their options, helping them make informed decisions based on their needs.
“There are various forms of hormone replacement therapy—creams, patches, and oral medications,” he explains. “It’s never one-size-fits-all.”
ESTABLISHING TRUST WITH PATIENTS
Being fluent in Spanish and culturally attuned allows Dr. Cifuentes to better explain medical decisions and build the kind of trust that many patients have never experienced.
“They feel more comfortable with me when I start speaking Spanish,” he notes.
“It’s one of the biggest motivations for me to continue working with the Latino community,” Dr. Cifuentes adds. “Many times, they face language barriers and don’t understand what’s happening with their bodies or health. Without explanations, they just accept whatever is happening to them and don’t seek treatment.”
“They need to understand and be educated—because the decisions they make today can have serious consequences later, not just for themselves but for their families,” he says.
Language and cultural barriers can affect patients of all ages. For example, a teenager with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—a common condition that causes irregular periods and symptoms like excess hair or acne—may be prescribed birth control pills to manage symptoms. But without an explanation, they may not understand why.
Or it could be someone with an abnormal Pap smear who needs a biopsy, or a woman diagnosed with HPV (human papillomavirus) who develops warts or other symptoms. Some women may have ovarian cysts or fibroids and are told they need surgery, without being informed of less invasive alternatives.
“If no one explains those alternatives or what’s happening to their bodies,” he says, “they just assume surgery is their only option.”
“It’s very scary for patients to hear they need a hysterectomy—or the removal of their uterus or ovaries. I sometimes ask them what the reason is, and they don’t even know why it was recommended.”
For these women, finding a doctor who speaks their language and understands their cultural context is vital.
This is how Dr. Cifuentes empowers his patients—and helps them thrive.
