Ep 42 | Hormones, Heart Health, and Hot Flash Hype: What Menopause Hormone Therapy Can Actually Do

Ep 42 | Hormones, Heart Health, and Hot Flash Hype: What Menopause Hormone Therapy Can Actually Do

Perimenopause is already handing out enough surprises without the internet yelling that menopausal hormone therapy is either a miracle cardiology cape or a one-way ticket to doom. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch take on the very confusing question of whether hormone therapy can help prevent cardiovascular disease in menopause. They walk through the history of hormone therapy and heart health, from large observational studies like Framingham and the Nurses' Health Study to the much-debated Women's Health Initiative, a study that launched roughly a thousand menopause panic spirals. The doctors explain why timing matters, why older hormone therapy data does not always apply to today's estradiol options, and why oral versus transdermal estrogen is more nuanced than "patch good, pill bad." So yes, hormones can be fabulous. But no, they do not replace exercise, lipid screening, diabetes care, statins when needed, or the deeply annoying truth that lifestyle still matters. What you'll hear in this episode: [2:45] Where the "estrogen protects the heart" idea came from [5:02] The Women's Health Initiative and why timing matters [6:31] Plaque, blood clots, and starting hormones later [7:26] The timing hypothesis and "window of opportunity" [7:59 Older hormone therapy studies don't always match current treatments…why? [12:04] What we know about oral estradiol, transdermal estrogen, and the liver [16:40] Medicare data, mortality claims, and why database studies are tricky [18:37] Can MHT prevent cardiovascular disease? [20:37] Proven heart-health strategies that matter most [22:42] What hormones can help with, and what they CAN'T promise Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ovary_active/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-wVBZixJJY9kvadq07QMKw] | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive [https://www.perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive] Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch [https://www.perimenopausedrs.com/estrogeninterrupted] Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su [https://www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-dunsmoor-su-92a4997b/] @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html [https://stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html] This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production [https://www.linkedin.com/company/audiotocracypodcastproduction/posts/?feedView=all].

Ep 41 | Brain Docs, Part 2: Migraines, Hormones, & Perimenopause

Perimenopause is apparently the perfect time to start worrying about dementia, cholesterol, hearing aids, and whether your brain is quietly packing its bags. This episode of OvaryActive is part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Ayesha Sherzai of the Brain Docs. Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch are talking with Dr. Sherzai all about dementia prevention, brain health, and the deeply rude realization that the "boring stuff" might actually matter. This episode picks up with the Lancet Dementia Commission report and the 14 modifiable risk factors linked to dementia, including hearing loss, high LDL cholesterol, depression, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, hypertension, obesity, social isolation, vision loss, and more. Dr. Sherzai explains why midlife is such an important window for prevention, how hearing aids are no longer giant beige Lego pieces, and why statins deserve a much better PR team. Listeners will learn what really helps reduce dementia risk, what to know about APOE4 genetic testing, and why menopausal hormone therapy should not be started for dementia prevention alone. The conversation also goes over brain health supplements, the limits of "natural" wellness claims, and why expensive pee is not a long-term cognitive strategy. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:53] Lancet Report explained [5:50] 14 risk factors [7:57] Midlife window shift [9:15] Hearing loss breakthrough [14:18] Reading and APOE [16:57] APOE and LDL [21:30] Statins for prevention [24:30] Hormones and dementia [29:52] Social media hype [32:52] Supplements reality check Links: thebraindocs.com [https://thebraindocs.com] Find the Brain Docs on Instagram: @thebraindocs [https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs/] Find the Brain Docs on Facebook: @BrainDocsFB [https://www.facebook.com/BrainDocsFB] Find the Brain Docs on YouTube: @theBrainDocs [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrainDocs] Purchase The NEURO Plan Playbook: thebraindocs.com/playbook [http://thebraindocs.com/playbook] Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ovary_active/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-wVBZixJJY9kvadq07QMKw] | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive [https://www.perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive] Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch [https://www.perimenopausedrs.com/estrogeninterrupted] Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su [https://www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-dunsmoor-su-92a4997b/] @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html [https://stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html] This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production [https://www.linkedin.com/company/audiotocracypodcastproduction/posts/?feedView=all].

Ep 40 | Brain Docs, Part 1: Brain Fog, Dementia Fears, & Perimenopause

Perimenopause can make your brain feel like it left the room — not that it remembers why it went there in the first place. In this first part of a two-part series with the Brain Docs, OvaryActive is talking all about dementia, brain fog, and the very real panic that happens when midlife memory glitches start feeling a little too ominous. Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch welcome Dr. Ayesha Sherzai, one half of the Brain Docs, for a reassuring and science-backed conversation about what is actually happening in the brain during perimenopause. They talk about estrogen, memory, sleep disruption, hot flashes, mood changes, and why midlife brain fog is common, distressing, and usually NOT the beginning of dementia. Part one is a hopeful, practical episode about brain health, dementia risk, and why You're Not Crazy continues to be the most medically useful sentence in perimenopause. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:28] Meet the Brain Docs [1:21] Why study preventive medicine in neurology specifically? [4:18] Migraine mea culpa [5:49] Modern migraine science [9:29] CGRP treatments explained [11:37] Hormones OCP stroke risk [17:24] Midlife brain fog fears [19:20] Estrogen and cognition [21:25] "When to worry" signs [25:16] Referrals, prevention and what's coming in part 2 Links: thebraindocs.com [https://thebraindocs.com] Find the Brain Docs on Instagram: @thebraindocs [https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs/] Find the Brain Docs on Facebook: @BrainDocsFB [https://www.facebook.com/BrainDocsFB] Find the Brain Docs on YouTube: @theBrainDocs [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrainDocs] Purchase The NEURO Plan Playbook: thebraindocs.com/playbook [http://thebraindocs.com/playbook] Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ovary_active/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-wVBZixJJY9kvadq07QMKw] | perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive [https://www.perimenopausedrs.com/ovaryactive] Estrogen, Interrupted by Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su & Dr. Amy Voedisch [https://www.perimenopausedrs.com/estrogeninterrupted] Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su [https://www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-dunsmoor-su-92a4997b/] @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html [https://stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html] This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production [https://www.linkedin.com/company/audiotocracypodcastproduction/posts/?feedView=all].

Ep 39 | Weird Symptoms of Perimenopause

Perimenopause: where your body starts doing weird things and then gaslights you about it. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su dive into the "wait…what?" symptoms. Those random, head-scratching changes that pop up during the menopause transition. Think asthma out of nowhere, itchy ears that won't quit, or sudden dizziness that makes you question your balance and your sanity. Is it hormones? Is it aging? Is it both? Welcome to the gray area. They are sharing what little research exists, where estrogen might be playing a role, and why so many of these symptoms live in the frustrating "we're not totally sure" category. They also talk about whether menopausal hormone therapy helps, hurts, or lands squarely in the "we'll have to try and see" bucket. Most importantly, this episode reinforces a core truth: you're not making this up. You're definitely not alone. And you're NOT crazy. This is really happening. NOTE: Hey, we misspoke: BPPV is from the semicircular canals, not the ossicles. Thanks to listener Amy Patrick for spotting the error! What you'll hear in this episode: [0:29] We're talking WEIRD [0:58] We have to give a disclaimer…because we're doctors. [2:21] Can hormones fix it? [3:50] Why am I out of breath? [10:39] Okay, now I'm dizzy. [12:47] I can't hear you! [20:30] My ears are itchy?! [22:54] My mouth is on fire! [26:46] Why am I cold all the time? (I thought I was supposed be HOT!) [29:44] This is really weird. My fingers are…buzzing? [33:08] We hope you feel better. You're NOT crazy! Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ovary_active/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-wVBZixJJY9kvadq07QMKw] Meet the Docs: More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su: Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su [https://www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-dunsmoor-su-92a4997b/] @rebecca-dunsmoor-su More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch: Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html [https://stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html] This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production [https://www.linkedin.com/company/audiotocracypodcastproduction/posts/?feedView=all].

Ep 38 | When Hormones Are Not the Only Answer

Perimenopause: the phase where your body does whatever it wants, whenever it wants, and your brain has thoughts about it. So what happens when hot flashes hit, anxiety creeps in, and suddenly you're questioning everything from your wardrobe to your worth? And more importantly…what if the problem isn't just the symptom, but the story you've been told about it? In this episode of OvaryActive, Julia Weitlauf joins the Docs to talk all about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for menopause—because apparently, we can't control the hot flashes, but we can control how much they ruin our day. They are covering what CBT is, how it's been used for decades to treat things like anxiety and insomnia, and how it's now being adapted to help women manage menopause symptoms, specifically the distress around hot flashes. Listeners will also hear why the CBT approach doesn't eliminate symptoms, but can significantly reduce their impact, improve quality of life, and help women get back to doing the things they love. Bottom line: menopause may still be a buzzkill… but it doesn't have to run the show. What you'll hear in this episode: [3:00] What is CBT? [4:53] How CBT is used for anxiety, depression, & imsomnia [6:23] CBT with menopause and perimenopause [15:08] CBT session-by-session breakdown [24:47] When menopause overlaps with anxiety and depression [26:58] CBT improves sleep, mood, and quality of life…why? [28:08] DIY options [32:26] Who should use CBT? [33:41] How to find a therapist trained in CBT? [35:19] Final takeaway Resources: Julia Weitlauf on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-weitlauf-6154a0202/] Managing Hot Flushes and Night Sweats by Myra Hunter [https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Hot-Flushes-Night-Sweats/dp/0415625157] psychologytoday.com/us [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us]