The Medical System Is FAILING Women in Midlife

The Midlife Health Checks Every Woman Should Ask For

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/If you listened to our recent conversation on iron deficiency, this episode is the perfect follow-up.Many women assume symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, low mood, poor sleep and declining energy are simply part of perimenopause. But vitamin D and B12 deficiencies can create remarkably similar symptoms and are often overlooked in the process.In this episode of "All About You", Dr. Shauna Watts sit down with GP and women's health clinician Dr. Ebony Tosch to unpack two of the most common deficiencies we see in midlife women. They discuss why these deficiencies are so common, how they affect everything from mood and cognition to bone health, what optimal levels actually look like, and when supplements or injections may be necessary.They also explore the connection between vitamin D, magnesium and bone density, why B12 absorption becomes more challenging for some women, and the important blood tests worth discussing with your doctor. If you've ever been told your results are "normal" but you still don't feel like yourself, this conversation may help you uncover an important missing piece of the puzzle.In this episode, they discuss:➡️ Why vitamin D deficiency is common even in sunny climates➡️ The role vitamin D plays in mood, immunity and bone health➡️ Normal versus optimal vitamin D levels➡️ The connection between vitamin D, magnesium and K2➡️ When bone density scans should be considered➡️ Common causes of vitamin B12 deficiency➡️ Symptoms of low B12, including fatigue and neurological changes➡️ The difference between oral supplements and B12 injections➡️ How medications can affect B12 absorption➡️ Why nutritional deficiencies are often mistaken for hormonal symptoms➡️ The blood tests every woman should understand in midlife➡️ How to advocate for yourself when seeking answers➡️ Perimenopause is only one part of the picture. Sometimes the symptoms you're experiencing have a different cause and, importantly, a different solution.If this episode helped you better understand your health, follow the podcast and share it with a woman who needs to hear this conversation.—------------Follow Dr. Ebony Toschhttps://www.healthhunter.au/practitioners/dr-ebony-toshhttps://www.drebonytosch.com/about-------------Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.-----------------Chapters00:00 - Why Vitamin D & B12 Deficiencies Are So Common01:21 - Symptoms Often Mistaken for Perimenopause03:23 - Why Vitamin D Deficiency Happens Even in Sunny Countries05:31 - Normal vs Optimal Vitamin D Levels Explained06:56 - Do You Need Calcium With Vitamin D?08:14 - Best Vitamin D Supplements: D3, Dosage & Absorption11:08 - The Vitamin D, Magnesium & K2 Connection15:21 - Bone Density Scans: Why Women Should Test Earlier20:21 - Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms Every Woman Should Know22:02 - Foods Rich in Vitamin B1223:28 - Causes of Low B12: Gut Health, Alcohol & Absorption Issues26:23 - When B12 Injections Work Better Than Supplements32:05 - The Blood Tests Midlife Women Should Ask For --------Keywordsvitamin D deficiency symptomsvitamin B12 deficiency symptomsperimenopause fatiguebrain fog in menopausevitamin D and menopauseB12 deficiency in womenwomen's health podcastmenopause symptomsosteoporosis preventionbone density scanvitamin D supplementsvitamin B12 injectionsmidlife women's healthmenopause and nutrition

What Doctors MISS About Women 10+ Years After Menopause

Everyone is talking about perimenopause. But what about the millions of women who went through menopause years ago, before hormone therapy was widely understood, before the conversation changed, and before anyone told them they didn't have to simply suffer through it? In this solo episode, Dr. Shauna Watts speaks directly to women in their 50s, 60s and beyond who have quietly accepted fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, poor sleep, low libido, bladder issues and a declining sense of wellbeing as an inevitable part of getting older. Dr. Shauna unpacks the critical role estrogen plays far beyond reproduction, explaining how it influences brain function, metabolism, sleep, bone health, cardiovascular health and quality of life. She also explores the lasting impact of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study, why so many women remain fearful of HRT, and what the latest evidence actually says about modern body-identical hormone therapy. If you've ever been told your symptoms are "normal for your age," this conversation may completely change the way you think about menopause, aging and your future health. In this episode: • Why so many post-menopausal women have stopped expecting to feel well • The symptoms often blamed on aging that may be linked to estrogen deficiency • How estrogen impacts the brain, metabolism, sleep, bones and heart • The surprising role of FSH and what it may reveal about long-term health • What really happened after the Women's Health Initiative study • The difference between older synthetic hormones and modern body-identical HRT • Understanding breast cancer risk and hormone therapy • Why the risks of untreated estrogen deficiency deserve more attention • Essential health assessments to consider after menopause • Vaginal estrogen, testosterone and other treatment options women should know about • Why it's never too late to have an informed conversation about your health If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who may have spent years believing she simply had to put up with how she feels. Subscribe to All About You so you never miss future conversations designed to help women make informed decisions about their health, hormones and wellbeing. ------------- Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social: Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts  https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247 Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. ----------------- Chapters 00:00 - Why Post-Menopause Women Are Being Left Behind 01:01 - Have You Stopped Expecting to Feel Well? 03:02 - The Symptoms Women Keep Blaming on Aging 05:17 - What If We Got Menopause Completely Wrong? 06:09 - The Critical Role Estrogen Plays Beyond Reproduction 08:22 - The Hidden Cost of Long-Term Estrogen Deficiency 10:31 - Why Your Brain Never Stopped Asking for Estrogen 12:29 - Is Menopause a Natural Process We Should Treat? 13:48 - The Breast Cancer Fear Keeping Women from HRT 15:14 - Modern HRT vs The 2002 Hormone Study 17:26 - Understanding the Real Risks and Benefits of HRT 19:20 - The Essential Health Checks Every Post-Menopausal Woman Needs 21:22 - It's Not Too Late to Feel Like Yourself Again ----------------- Keywords post menopause symptoms postmenopause health hormone replacement therapy HRT after menopause estrogen deficiency menopause symptoms after 60 women's health over 50 brain fog menopause sleep problems menopause vaginal atrophy hot flushes after menopause body identical hormones menopause weight gain osteoporosis prevention women estrogen and brain health women's health podcast Dr Shauna Watts menopause treatment options menopause and aging women over 50 health

The Iron Deficiency MISTAKE Doctors Keep Missing in Women

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/ Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, yet countless women are still being told their iron levels are "normal" while struggling with fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, poor sleep and low energy. In this episode of All About You, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down with GP and iron deficiency expert Dr. Ebony Tosch to unpack one of the most overlooked health issues affecting women, particularly during perimenopause and midlife. Together they explore why ferritin is often a more meaningful marker than standard iron levels, how iron deficiency symptoms frequently overlap with menopause and thyroid conditions, and why many women spend years being reassured that their blood tests are "fine" when they're anything but. Dr. Ebony explains the real causes of iron deficiency, the most effective ways to improve iron stores, and when an iron infusion may be a better option than oral supplements. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why iron deficiency is commonly missed in women • The difference between iron, ferritin and anemia • Which blood tests you should ask your doctor to order • Common symptoms of low iron, including fatigue, hair loss and restless legs • Why heavy periods remain one of the biggest contributors to iron deficiency • How perimenopause can make iron deficiency harder to recognise • The truth about oral iron supplements and why many women struggle with them • How to improve iron absorption naturally • When an iron infusion may be the right next step • What to expect during an iron infusion • The risks, side effects and benefits of IV iron therapy • Why optimal iron levels matter more than simply being within the "normal range" • How iron deficiency can impact sleep, energy, mood and overall wellbeing If you've ever been told your blood tests are normal but you still don't feel like yourself, this conversation may provide some of the answers you've been looking for. Remember: informed health decisions start with understanding the numbers that matter. Follow All About You for more evidence-based conversations on women's health, perimenopause, menopause, hormones, nutrition and thriving through midlife. Follow Dr. Ebony Tosch https://www.healthhunter.au/practitioners/dr-ebony-tosh [https://www.healthhunter.au/practitioners/dr-ebony-tosh] https://www.drebonytosch.com/about ------------- Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social: Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts  https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247 Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. ----------------- Chapters 01:24 – The Iron Deficiency Problem Doctors Still Miss 02:32 – The Blood Test Every Woman Should Know About 04:45 – Why Ferritin Matters More Than Iron Levels 05:37 – Signs & Symptoms Of Low Iron 06:45 – Heavy Periods, Perimenopause & Iron Loss 10:22 – What Ferritin Levels Are Actually Too Low? 11:28 – Why Iron Supplements Often Fail 12:43 – How To Improve Iron Absorption Naturally 17:24 – When It's Time To Consider An Iron Infusion 18:29 – Iron Infusions Explained: Risks & Benefits 24:33 – Hair Loss, Fatigue & Low Iron Recovery 35:35 – Dr Ebony's Most Important Iron Deficiency Advice ----------------- Keywords iron deficiency in women low ferritin symptoms iron infusion ferritin levels women's health perimenopause fatigue iron deficiency anemia hair loss and iron deficiency fatigue in women women's iron levels iron supplements low iron treatment iron deficiency symptoms menopause fatigue restless legs syndrome women's health podcast Dr Ebony Tosch Dr Shauna Watts

What Every Woman in Her 50s, 60s & 70s NEEDS to Know About HRT

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/ For years, women were told menopause was simply something to “push through.” Hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, painful sex, brain fog, loss of motivation, all dismissed as normal aging. But what if much of that messaging was wrong? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down with urologist, author, and menopause educator Dr. Kelly Casperson to unpack the modern evidence behind hormone therapy, the lasting impact of outdated research, and why so many women are finally questioning what they were told about HRT. Together, they explore the women who were left behind after the 2002 WHI study sparked fear around hormones and why many women in their 60s and 70s are now seeking answers decades later. Dr. Kelly also breaks down the growing conversation around testosterone for women, explaining why it’s about far more than libido alone. From motivation and mood to cognition, muscle health, and vitality, this episode challenges many of the assumptions women have carried for years about aging and hormones. This is an empowering, evidence-based conversation about informed choice, modern menopause care, and helping women feel like themselves again. What’s In This Episode: → Why an entire generation of women missed out on menopause support → What the WHI study actually showed and how it was misunderstood → Whether it’s ever “too late” to start hormone therapy → The truth about breast cancer risk and HRT → Why vaginal estrogen is still heavily misunderstood → The difference between oral synthetic hormones and transdermal estradiol → What women need to know about testosterone in midlife → Why libido is about more than sex drive → How hormones impact sleep, mood, cognition, joints, and motivation → The role of exercise and metabolic health in menopause care → Why women deserve individualized conversations about hormones If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who deserves better information about menopause and hormones. Follow All About You for more evidence-based conversations on midlife health, hormones, confidence, and thriving through every stage of life. ------------- Follow Dr. Kelly Casperson https://kellycaspersonmd.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kellycaspersonmd https://www.youtube.com/@kellycaspersonmd ------------- Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social: Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatt https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247 Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. ---------------- Chapters 03:12 - Why So Many Women Were Left Without Support 06:28 - The Truth About the WHI Study & HRT Fear 09:41 - Can Women Start HRT After 60 or 70? 12:58 - The Timing Hypothesis Explained Simply 16:10 - Why “It’s Just Aging” Is a Harmful Myth 19:22 - Breast Cancer Fear vs Modern Evidence 22:35 - The Truth About Vaginal Estrogen Safety 25:48 - Testosterone for Women: More Than Libido 28:56 - Why Libido Is Really About Brain Motivation 32:14 - Hair Loss, Hormones & What’s Actually Happening 35:27 - The Real Benefits of Testosterone in Midlife 38:40 - What Women Actually Need to Feel Like Themselves ----------------- Keywords Menopause hormone replacement therapy HRT myths menopause symptoms testosterone for women menopause podcast estrogen therapy women’s health Perimenopause menopause treatment menopause after 60 hormone therapy safety vaginal estrogen menopause education menopause support testosterone benefits women menopause and anxiety menopause and sleep women’s hormones breast cancer and HRT menopause myths debunked

The BIGGEST Menopause Misunderstanding of the Last 20 Years

For more than 20 years, women have been told that hormone therapy causes breast cancer but what if the science was misunderstood from the very beginning? The conversation around menopause and hormone replacement therapy has been shaped by fear for decades. In this episode, Dr. Avrum Bluming and social psychologist Carol Tavris unpack the study that changed women’s health forever and explain why many doctors, researchers and patients are now re-examining what we thought we knew about estrogen, breast cancer and HRT.T hey explored the lasting impact of the Women’s Health Initiative study, the difference between observational studies and randomized trials, and why so many women still struggle to access informed menopause care today. We also discuss the growing evidence around estrogen’s role in brain health, osteoporosis prevention, cognitive decline, cardiovascular health and quality of life during perimenopause and menopause. If you’ve ever been told you’re “too young” for HRT, that hormones are dangerous because of breast cancer, or that menopause is just something women should suffer through, this conversation will challenge a lot of assumptions. In this episode: ➡️ Why the fear around HRT and breast cancer became so widespread ➡️ The real findings behind the Women’s Health Initiative study ➡️ Whether estrogen actually increases breast cancer risk ➡️ Vaginal estrogen and why the science remains controversial ➡️ What the evidence says about HRT after breast cancer ➡️ Estrogen’s impact on brain health and cognitive decline ➡️ The connection between menopause, osteoporosis and fractures ➡️ Why menopause education is still missing in medical training ➡️ The psychology and stigma around taking hormone therapy ➡️ Why many women still struggle to find doctors informed about menopause This is a nuanced and evidence-based discussion about menopause, estrogen, and the future of women’s health care and why so many women are demanding better conversations around HRT. ------------- Follow Dr. Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrum-bluming-64259a10/ https://tavris.socialpsychology.org/contact ------------- Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social: Podcast Website: ⁠ www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatt https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247 Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. ----------------- Chapters 00:00 – Why Vaginal Estrogen Is Misunderstood 00:40 – Does Vaginal Estrogen Really Enter the Bloodstream 01:17 – Family History of Breast Cancer: Does It Matter? 02:01 – BRCA1, Ovaries Removal, and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction 03:03 – Why Estrogen Doesn’t Increase Breast Cancer Risk (Evidence Explained) 04:07 – Why Women Feel Shut Down by Doctors on HRT 05:14 – When Hormone Questions Get Ignored in Medicine 06:19 – What Happens When Women Stop Tamoxifen to Get Pregnant 07:10 – Can Breast Cancer Survivors Safely Use Vaginal Estrogen? 08:20 – The Controversial Denmark Study on Vaginal Estrogen 10:19 – “Minuscule Absorption Makes No Sense” — The Core Debate on Vaginal Estrogen 11:32 – Why Randomized Controlled Trials Aren’t the Only Gold Standard 13:31 – The $1 Billion Women’s Health Initiative Study: What Went Wrong ----------------- Keywords Menopause hormone replacement therapy HRT estrogen and breast cancer menopause symptoms Perimenopause women’s health vaginal estrogen breast cancer risk hormone therapy menopause WHI study estrogen therapy menopause doctor menopause treatment cognitive decline menopause osteoporosis menopause menopause education estrogen brain health breast cancer myths menopause podcast menopause research hormone therapy safety women’s hormones menopause expert