Menopause 101: Everything Women 40+ Need to Know About Hormones, HRT & Aging

In this episode of The EmBraced Life Podcast, host Robert Brace engages with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, an expert in women's health, to discuss "Menopause 101." Dr. Poynor shares her insights on menopause, perimenopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The conversation covers the physiological changes women experience during menopause, the benefits of HRT, and the importance of proactive healthcare. Dr. Poynor emphasizes the need for better education on women's health issues and encourages women to take charge of their health. She also discusses the impact of lifestyle changes and the role of testosterone in women's well-being.

Timestamps:Perimenopause Insights (00:00:07)Discussion on how perimenopause can motivate lifestyle changes like exercise and nutrition.Hormone Replacement Therapy Overview (00:00:13)Exploration of HRT's role in managing menopause symptoms and physiological changes.Integration of Technology in Women's Health (00:04:56)Exploration of how technology and data can improve women's health interventions.Preventive Medicine's Future (00:06:32)Discussion on the need for a new system integrating preventive strategies in healthcare.Personal Experience with Menopause (00:09:01)Dr. Poynor shares her journey through menopause and its impact on her career.Education Gaps in Women's Health (00:10:20)Highlighting the lack of education on midlife women's health in medical training.Physiological Changes During Menopause (00:10:53)Discussion on significant physiological shifts and their implications during menopause.Defining Menopause (00:16:36)A straightforward explanation of what menopause is and its significance.Perimenopause Explained (00:17:53)Perimenopause begins years before menopause, marked by fluctuating estrogen levels and menstrual irregularities.Recognizing Symptoms (00:21:36)Subtle mood changes, brain fog, and libido issues are early signs of perimenopause.Clarifying HRT Risks (00:29:40)Natural progesterone combined with estrogen does not increase breast cancer risk, contrary to popular belief.The Missing Treatment (00:32:01)For nearly 25 years, effective treatments like HRT have been overlooked, impacting many women's lives.Discussing Testosterone (00:33:11)Transitioning to a discussion on the role of testosterone in women's health and menopause.Testosterone's Importance (00:33:14)Discussion on the significance of testosterone for women and its under-researched status.Menopause and Body Fat (00:36:30)Effects of menopause on body fat distribution and the importance of proactive hormone therapy.Brain Function and Menopause (00:39:19)Impact of fluctuating estrogen levels on brain function, including risks of dementia.Metabolism Changes (00:42:17)Link between menopause, insulin resistance, and changes in metabolism.Skin and Bone Health (00:42:53)Effects of menopause on skin elasticity and bone density, emphasizing early intervention.Ovarian Aging (00:44:06)Overview of ovarian aging and its implications for estrogen production.Emotions and Mood Changes (00:45:18)Discussion on increased anxiety and depression during menopause and the role of hormone fluctuations.Here are the extracted timestamps and their corresponding titles in chronological order:Hormone Replacement Therapy Benefits (00:49:32)Discusses how HRT can improve sleep and self-confidence for women experiencing menopause.Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (00:51:48)Covers situations where HRT may be dangerous, such as a history of breast cancer or stroke.Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones (00:52:59)Explains the differences and similarities between bioidentical and synthetic hormone treatments.Testosterone Administration Methods (00:58:37)Discusses different ways to administer testosterone and the importance of physiological dosing.Final Advice on Menopause and HRT (01:00:21)Dr. Poynor shares three key pieces of advice for women regarding health during menopause.