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The No.1 Menopause Doctor: They’re Lying To You About Menopause! Brand New Science! (Men Need To Listen Too!): Mary Claire Haver

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Sun Dec 17 2023



Menopause Symptoms:

  • In 2023, 85% of women reported experiencing menopausal symptoms, but only 10.5% were receiving treatment or therapy.
  • Menopause can lead to a range of symptoms including brain fog, changes in sexual function, weight gain, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and recurrent urinary tract infections.

Impact of Menopause on Health:

  • Menopause is associated with a decline in muscle mass and an increased risk for various health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
  • Women undergoing menopause may also experience musculoskeletal issues, mental health challenges, skin changes, hair changes, nail changes, dental alterations, vertigo, tinnitus, and frozen shoulder.

Challenges Faced by Women Going Through Menopause:

  • Many women suffer from menopausal symptoms in silence due to a lack of understanding and support.
  • The medical system often fails to adequately address the diverse range of physical and psychological challenges faced by women during perimenopause and menopause.

Importance of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):

  • HRT has been shown to lower all-cause mortality among women going through menopause when initiated early in the menopausal transition.
  • Starting hormone replacement therapy within the first 10 years of menopause can reduce the risks of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.

Supporting Women During Menopause:

  • Encouraging open conversations about menopause is essential to raise awareness and provide understanding for those experiencing it.
  • It's crucial to offer comprehensive support options beyond hormone therapy including cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle adjustments such as prioritizing sleep and engaging in strength training.

Menopause Research and Funding:

  • Women's health research, specifically menopause, receives significantly less funding compared to other areas, leading to limited education and support for the 1.2 billion women experiencing menopause worldwide.
  • The lack of adequate funding has resulted in a dearth of resources and knowledge about menopause, highlighting the need for increased research and investment in this area.

Impact of Menopause on Mental Health:

  • Menopausal transition can lead to an increase in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and ADHD, impacting the overall well-being of women.
  • Hormone replacement therapy during perimenopause has been linked to lower incidence of new onset depression in menopausal women, indicating its potential positive impact on mental health.

Inflammation and Menopause:

  • Menopause leads to a significant increase in chronic inflammation due to the decline in estrogen and testosterone levels, emphasizing the physiological changes experienced by women during this stage.
  • Estrogen is a powerful anti-inflammatory hormone; its reduction during menopause contributes to increased inflammation, underscoring the importance of managing inflammation through holistic approaches.

Nutrition and Menopause:

  • A diet rich in fiber, vitamin D, magnesium, healthy fats, and protein is crucial during menopause for managing symptoms and promoting overall well-being.
  • Adequate intake of fiber from foods like avocado, chia seeds, nuts, berries, cruciferous vegetables, fruits, and vegetables is essential for managing inflammation during menopause while supporting overall health.

Fasting and Its Benefits During Menopause:

  • Fasting can have benefits for reducing neuroinflammation and systemic inflammation during menopause by following personalized fasting approaches such as a 16-hour fasting period followed by an 8-hour eating window.
  • Implementing fasting should be approached cautiously with consideration given to individual needs and adaptation periods for optimal results.

Muscle Mass Preservation During Menopause:

  • Preserving muscle mass through resistance training and adequate protein intake is critical for maintaining insulin sensitivity and preventing osteoporosis-related fractures in menopausal women.
  • Resistance training plays a vital role in preserving muscle mass as menopausal women experience a dramatic loss of muscle within the first 10 years of menopause.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Misconceptions:

  • There are misconceptions surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT), particularly related to its association with breast cancer risk that stem from misinterpretations of study findings.
  • Studies have shown that estrogen alone may not increase breast cancer risk but could potentially decrease it while progesterone combined with estrogen may slightly elevate the risk.

Menopause Symptoms and Treatment Options:

  • Menopause can manifest as various disorders, including relationship issues, arousal disorder, orgasmic disorders, and decreased desire.
  • Medications such as Viagra and vaginal Viagra are used to address arousal disorders in women during menopause. Testosterone and FDA-approved medications like Addy and Vilese may help with desire-related issues.
  • Women often struggle to find adequate menopausal care locally, leading them to travel long distances for treatment.

Challenges in Menopausal Care:

  • The lack of accessible menopausal care has prompted the need for compiling a list of recommended providers on Dr. Mary Claire Haver's website.
  • Many women face challenges finding suitable menopausal care within their local area, requiring extensive travel for treatment.

Supporting Partners Through Menopause:

  • Male partners play a crucial role in supporting women through menopause by recognizing changes in behavior and initiating open conversations about menopause without stigma.
  • Encouraging normalizing conversations about menopause can facilitate understanding and support between partners.

Gender Differences in Hormonal Changes:

  • While there is no equivalent "manopause," research shows that testosterone levels peak at around age 19 for men, gradually decreasing but remaining stable throughout life.
  • Women often face dismissive attitudes toward their menopausal symptoms compared to men experiencing hormonal changes.

Self-care During Menopause:

  • Prioritizing self-care during menopause involves focusing on nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, sleep improvement, and exploring non-hormonal treatment options.
  • Practices such as meditation have proven beneficial for managing mental health challenges associated with menopause.

Importance of Sleep and Nutrition:

  • Disrupted sleep during perimenopause and menopause significantly impacts overall well-being. Addressing sleep disruptions is prioritized before implementing other treatments.
  • Emphasizing protein-rich diets alongside balanced nutrition plays a critical role in managing hormone-related changes during menopause.

Personal Health Journey Influencing Professional Mission:

  • Dr. Mary Claire Haver's personal experiences with family health complications have deeply influenced her commitment to advocating for women's health during perimenopause and beyond.

Menopause and Women's Health:

  • Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a menopause expert, OBGYN, and bestselling author specializing in women's health.
  • She focuses on empowering and educating everyone to understand women’s bodies.
  • Her new book provides comprehensive information for women to thrive during their hormonal transition and beyond.

Personal Reflections:

  • The speaker shares the impact of watching their parents bury three kids, emphasizing the importance of love in life.
  • They express gratitude for the conversation and reflect on the significance of love in various relationships.

Health Optimization:

  • The speaker discusses discovering a product called Eight Sleep that has positively impacted their sleep quality.
  • They highlight the importance of optimizing sleep for overall well-being, creativity, mood, and daily functioning.
  • Emphasizes that once tried, this product becomes irreplaceable for enhancing sleep quality.

Family Time and Wonder:

  • An anecdote is shared about spending time with children at the zoo, highlighting the wonder experienced by both children and adults.