OvaryActive

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]

Ep 37 | When Its NOT Peri: Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) with Chrisandra Shufelt, MD

Perimenopause is still taking the blame… but in this unexpected third installment (because Amy just got too excited), we're talking about functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). Dr. Chrisandra Shuflet joins the Docs in this episode of OvaryActive to explain FHA, tell us why it is often missed or dismissed, and how it's diagnosed. The conversation explores how disrupted brain signaling leads to low estrogen, why it's a diagnosis of exclusion, and how this condition shows up most often in younger women, even though its impact can follow you well into perimenopause and beyond. As a condition that can look like perimenopause but is actually your brain hitting the pause button on your ovaries. If your cycle disappears and you're nowhere near your forties, it's probably not peri… it's your body responding to stress, under-fueling, over-exercising. Or maybe all of the above. What you'll hear in this episode: [0:34] Welcome Chrisandra Shufelt, MD [3:46] What is FHA? [6:02] A diagnosis of exclusion [7:00] Lab patterns to distinguish FHS, PCOS, POI [8:45] Who is most at risk: [13:42] Why do so many women go years without a diagnosis? [18:14] Long-term risks [20:30] Cardiovascular connection [22:38] ARCH study [29:13] What does a history of FHA mean in perimenopause? [33:34] Treatment approach (sorry, no Rx) [37:22] Final takeaways: you are NOT crazy still applies! Links: Reveal trial: https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/cls-20570285 [https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/cls-20570285] Dr Shufelt: https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/shufelt-chrisandra-l-m-d/bio-20542101 [http://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/shufelt-chrisandra-l-m-d/bio-20542101] @chrisandra-shufelt-md-ms-facp-mscp on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisandra-shufelt-md-ms-facp-mscp-a064b66/] 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 36 | When It's NOT Peri: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Perimenopause gets blamed for a lot of things – mood swings, weird cycles, rogue chin hairs – but sometimes the culprit isn't peri at all. In Part 2 of When It's NOT Peri, the Docs are talking about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition that looks suspiciously like perimenopause but actually comes from a completely different hormonal playbook. The hosts explain what PCOS actually is, why insulin resistance sits at the center of the syndrome, and how symptoms like irregular periods, acne, hair growth, and weight changes can overlap with perimenopause. They also walk through how doctors diagnose PCOS, the famous Rotterdam criteria, and why clinicians often have to rule out several other endocrine issues before landing on the diagnosis. The episode also explores how PCOS evolves across the lifespan and why the metabolic side of the condition still matters long after the reproductive years are over. What you'll hear in this episode: [1:11] PCOS defined and misnamed [3:29] Symptoms that overlap [5:55] Ethnicity and different presentations [7:42] Rotterdam diagnostic criteria [12:16] Who gets diagnosed and when [18:00] Hormone signaling and ovulation disruption [20:48] Fertility timing, OPKs, & birth control [29:54] Lifestyle and metformin [33:22] PCOS in perimenopause [37:10] Research gaps and advocacy [40:09] Takeaways 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].