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The #1 Menopause Doctor: How to Lose Belly Fat, Sleep Better, & Stop Suffering Now

Mel Robbins・66 minutes read

Dr. Mary Claire Haver discusses the impact of menopause on women's health, emphasizing the lack of information and research funding allocated to it. The importance of hormone replacement therapy, understanding estrogen's role in optimal health, and finding knowledgeable healthcare providers for effective treatment during menopause is crucial for improving quality of life.

Insights

Menopause can start as early as age 35 and presents symptoms like hot flashes, belly fat, ringing in ears, and dry skin, impacting women's health significantly.
Dr. Mary Claire Haver emphasizes the lack of information and funding for menopause, stressing the need for better education among medical professionals to provide proper care and support.
Estrogen plays a crucial role in various organ systems, affecting bone health, joint function, mental health, and more, highlighting the importance of hormone replacement therapy and comprehensive menopausal care for women's overall well-being.

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Recent questions

What are the symptoms of menopause?
Hot flashes, belly fat, dry skin, and more.
What are the impacts of menopause on women's health?
Hormonal changes, challenges due to egg loss.
Why is education on menopause important?
To provide proper care and support.
What is the role of estrogen in menopause?
Affects bone, joint, and overall health.
How can menopausal symptoms be managed?
Through nutrition, exercise, hormone therapy, and more.

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Summary

00:00

"Empowering Women Through Menopause Education"

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a guest on the Mel Robins podcast, discussing menopause and its impact on women's health.
Menopause can start as early as age 35, with symptoms like hot flashes, belly fat, but also lesser-known issues like ringing in ears, dry skin, and more.
Dr. Haver is a board-certified Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist, a menopause practitioner, and a culinary medicine specialist.
The lack of information on menopause is highlighted, with only 10% of research funding allocated to it despite impacting 1.2 billion people.
Women lose 90% of their eggs by age 30, leading to hormonal changes and challenges in later years.
The decline in ovaries and hormone production post-menopause leaves women without essential hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Dr. Haver emphasizes the need for better education on menopause for medical professionals to provide proper care and support.
Historical lack of understanding and treatment for menopause is discussed, with women often dismissed or given inadequate solutions.
Dr. Haver shares her personal journey of realizing the gap in menopause care and her mission to empower women with knowledge and support.
The importance of hormone replacement therapy and proper medical attention for menopausal symptoms is stressed, aiming to improve women's quality of life.

14:45

"Estrogen's Impact on Menopausal Symptoms"

Menopause affects every organ system uniquely in each woman, leading to varied symptoms like palpitations, frozen shoulder, dry vagina, hot flashes, night sweats, and rage.
Research shows that every organ system in a female body has estrogen receptors, impacting functions like bone and joint health, with hormone therapy reducing the risk of frozen shoulder.
Estrogen loss during menopause can cause joint pain, capsulitis, and arthralgia due to its anti-inflammatory role in bones and joints.
Estrogen receptors in organ systems affect liver, kidney, lung, heart, brain, and genital-urinary functions, as well as bone health like osteoporosis.
Menstrual cycles involve estrogen and progesterone fluctuations, impacting mental health, bloating, swelling, and migraines due to serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
Estrogen decline can lead to menstrual migraines, depressive symptoms, anxiety, brain fog, and ADHD, affecting executive functioning and career performance.
Chronic inflammation, influenced by estrogen, can impact joint health, heart function causing palpitations, lung health leading to asthma, and gut health altering estrogen metabolism.
Lack of comprehensive training and advocacy for menopausal symptoms can result in misdiagnosis, lack of insurance coverage, and inadequate healthcare for menopausal women.
Menopause visits are not covered by Medicare, requiring separate appointments and advocacy for comprehensive care, including addressing symptoms and family history.
Menopause affects various organ systems, highlighting the importance of understanding estrogen's role in optimal health and the impact of its decline on overall well-being.

30:41

Preventing Osteoporosis and Menopausal Health Risks

Osteoporosis is preventable for most women, often diagnosed only after a fracture, with 50% of women experiencing an osteoporotic fracture before death.
Bone density determines bone strength and resilience to fractures, with constant bone remodeling occurring throughout life.
Menopause or chronic ovulation suppression accelerates bone loss, leading to porous, easily fractured bones.
A hip fracture at 65+ years carries a 29% chance of death in the first year, even with surgical repair.
Genital urinary syndrome of menopause involves the loss of elasticity and moisture in the vaginal area due to estrogen decline.
Vaginal estrogen is crucial for treating recurrent UTIs in post-menopausal women, preventing sepsis and potential fatalities.
Perimenopause, occurring 7-10 years before menopause, presents with irregular periods and various symptoms like hot flashes, joint pain, and gut issues.
Menopause marks the end of menstrual cycles, with any vaginal bleeding post-menopause requiring evaluation.
Postmenopausal women have decreased estrogen levels, with estradiol being the primary estrogen produced in the ovaries.
Postmenopausal women face ongoing health risks like bone deterioration, cardiovascular disease, and genital urinary issues, necessitating hormone support and care.

45:11

Menopause in Mammals: Hormone Therapy Insights

Anthropologists are puzzled by menopause in mammals, with only five species experiencing it, including beluga and killer whales.
Estradiol, a crucial estrogen, diminishes post-menopause, impacting bodily functions.
Estriol, a synthesized estrogen, is used in some hormone therapies but isn't favored.
Estrogen levels drop significantly post-menopause, affecting health and longevity.
Menopausal care involves nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep optimization, and pharmacological options like hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy contraindications include undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, active breast cancer, blood clots, and strokes.
Hormone therapy can be considered post-breast cancer treatment, with nuanced risk-benefit discussions.
Hormone therapy in menopausal women can reduce cardiovascular disease risks significantly.
Misconceptions around hormone therapy stem from flawed studies and exaggerated reporting.
Supplements like fiber, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D play vital roles in menopausal health, addressing deficiencies common in menopausal women.

59:56

Optimizing Menopause: Probiotics, Strength, and Empowerment

Eating something rich in probiotics daily, like yogurt, miso, or kimchi, can help reduce visceral fat levels.
Consider supplementing probiotics if you can't tolerate probiotic-rich foods.
Weight training is crucial for strength, especially in menopausal years, and can be started at any age.
Focus on moving to be strong, not just skinny, to maintain bone and muscle strength.
Progesterone can aid in better sleep and has an anti-anxiety effect, especially for women in perimenopause.
Sleep hygiene, including avoiding blue light from screens, is essential for quality sleep.
Alcohol tolerance tends to decrease during menopause, impacting sleep quality.
Finding a healthcare provider knowledgeable about menopause is crucial for effective treatment.
Menopause is a natural process, but suffering is not necessary; sharing experiences and seeking support can help normalize and optimize the transition.
Empowerment and understanding one's body, hormones, and health optimization are key to improving quality of life during menopause.

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