#1 Menopause Doctor on Fixing Your Hormones, Bad Sex, Divorce, & Weight Gain | Mary Claire Haver
Added: May 23, 2024
In this podcast episode, Mary Claire Haver, a menopause doctor, discusses the various symptoms and challenges that women face during the perimenopause and menopause transition. She highlights that women between the ages of 45 and 55 are most likely to experience these symptoms, including a quadrupling of depression rates, significant brain fog, hot flashes, and weight gain. Haver emphasizes that these symptoms are often dismissed by doctors, leading to women feeling gaslighted and not taken seriously.Key takeaways
Menopausal symptoms such as brain fog, weight gain, and sleep disturbances are often dismissed by doctors, leading to women feeling gaslighted and not taken seriously. This highlights the need for better education and awareness around menopause in the medical field.
Hormonal changes during menopause can significantly impact mental health, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues like brain fog and memory problems.
A comprehensive approach to managing menopausal symptoms is essential, including lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, and hormone therapy. This holistic approach can improve overall health and quality of life during menopause.
Menopause can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis due to declining estrogen levels. Proper nutrition, exercise, and hormone therapy are crucial for maintaining heart and bone health.
Women need to advocate for themselves and seek out healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and supportive of menopausal women. Self-care practices like meditation, journaling, and gratitude can help manage stress and improve mental well-being during menopause.
Dismissal of Menopausal Symptoms
Haver shares a personal story from her training program where she encountered a patient with vague symptoms like brain fog, weight gain, and sleep disturbances. Her chief resident labeled the patient as a "whiny woman" and dismissed her symptoms as just a part of aging. This experience made Haver realize the lack of education and awareness around menopause in the medical field.
Gaslighting in Menopause Treatment
The conversation delves into the concept of gaslighting, both by doctors and by women themselves. Haver explains how systemic issues in medical training and research have led to a lack of understanding and proper treatment for menopausal symptoms. She highlights the historical stigma around women's health and the challenges women face in getting their symptoms validated and addressed.
Symptoms of Menopause
Haver then goes on to discuss the various symptoms of menopause, starting with cognitive issues like brain fog and memory problems. She explains how hormonal changes during menopause can impact mental health, leading to increased rates of depression and anxiety. The conversation also touches on the physical symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and palpitations, which can significantly impact a woman's quality of life.
The Impact of Menopause on Organ Systems
The discussion expands to the impact of menopause on different organ systems, including the heart, lungs, gut, and musculoskeletal system. Haver explains how estrogen, a powerful anti-inflammatory hormone, plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and how its decline during menopause can lead to various health issues. She highlights the importance of gut health in menopause and how changes in the gut microbiome can affect women's overall well-being.
Estrogen and Frozen Shoulder
One significant symptom discussed is frozen shoulder, a condition that predominantly affects women during the perimenopause and menopause transition. Haver shares a study that found women on hormone therapy had a lower incidence of frozen shoulder, emphasizing the role of estrogen in maintaining joint health.
She shares her experience of conducting a study on frozen shoulder, and the challenges of getting it published in orthopedic journals due to the lack of understanding about menopause-related conditions in the medical community.
Comprehensive Approach to Menopause Management
Haver emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to managing menopausal symptoms, including lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, and hormone therapy. She stresses the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking out healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and supportive of menopausal women.
Managing Menopausal Symptoms Effectively
The conversation further delves into the various symptoms of menopause, such as dry skin, joint pain, and itchy ears, which can be attributed to hormonal changes and inflammation. Haver emphasizes the importance of addressing these symptoms early through interventions like hormone therapy, nutrition, and exercise to improve overall health and quality of life during menopause.
Menopause and Cardiovascular Health
The discussion also touches on the impact of menopause on cardiovascular health, with women being at a higher risk of heart disease post-menopause. Haver explains how declining estrogen levels can affect cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart attacks in women. She challenges common practices like prescribing statins and baby aspirin to women without considering their effectiveness in preventing heart disease in females.
The Connection Between Menopause and Osteoporosis
Haver highlights the connection between menopause and osteoporosis, emphasizing the importance of maintaining muscle mass and bone density through proper nutrition, exercise, and hormone therapy. She explains how factors like genetics, lifestyle choices, and stress can influence the timing of menopause, with certain experiences like sexual abuse or pregnancy affecting the onset of menopausal symptoms.
Psychological Impact of Menopause
The conversation also explores the psychological impact of menopause, including the high rate of divorce among women in their late 40s to 60s. Haver discusses how menopause can be a time of self-reflection and empowerment for women, leading them to prioritize their health and well-being. She mentions that sexual dysfunction can be a significant factor in relationship issues during menopause, affecting around 50% of women and leading to dissatisfaction and potential breakups.
Addressing Arousal Disorders in Menopausal Women
Haver also addresses arousal disorders in menopausal women, emphasizing the need to consider hormonal imbalances and other factors that may affect libido. She mentions the importance of offering appropriate treatments, such as testosterone therapy, to address sexual health issues in women. Additionally, she discusses the impact of untreated pain and sexual dysfunction on relationships, highlighting the need for open communication and seeking help from healthcare providers.
Advocating for Menopausal Women
The conversation shifts towards the challenges faced by women during menopause, including the lack of proper medical attention and the prevalence of misinformation. Haver talks about her journey in opening a menopause clinic and advocating for better care for menopausal women. She mentions the importance of believing patients' symptoms and providing them with hope and support.
The Role of Diet in Managing Menopausal Symptoms
Haver also delves into the role of diet in managing menopausal symptoms. She emphasizes the importance of consuming fiber-rich foods, such as avocados, beans, cruciferous vegetables, berries, seeds, and nuts, to support gut health and overall well-being. She advises limiting added sugars in the diet to reduce inflammation and improve metabolic health. She encourages individuals to prioritize protein intake, especially for women looking to maintain muscle mass and strength during menopause.
The Importance of Nutrition During Menopause
Haver highlights the significance of nutrition during menopause, focusing on the importance of protein, plants, fiber, and vitamin D. She explains that women need over 100 grams of protein daily and recommends tracking nutrient intake using tools like a nutrition tracker. She also suggests incorporating foods high in calcium, such as dairy products, broccoli, and cheese, to support bone health during menopause. Additionally, she mentions the benefits of magnesium supplements for sleep and overall health.
Strength Training for Women's Health
In terms of exercise, Haver advises women to prioritize strength training over excessive cardio. She explains that building muscle is essential for maintaining strength, balance, and preventing injuries like hip fractures. She shares her personal experience of starting weightlifting in her 50s and the positive impact it had on her overall health and well-being. She also recommends using a weighted vest for osteoporosis prevention and muscle strength.
Strategies for Better Sleep During Menopause
Sleep is another crucial aspect of menopause that Haver addresses in the podcast. She discusses how menopausal symptoms like hot flashes can disrupt sleep patterns and recommends strategies for improving sleep hygiene. She suggests keeping the bedroom cool, limiting fluid intake before bed, and avoiding blue light from electronic devices. She also talks about the benefits of magnesium and progesterone supplements for promoting better sleep and reducing nighttime anxiety.
The Importance of Self-Care During Menopause
Throughout the podcast, Haver shares personal anecdotes and insights from her own experiences with menopause and how she navigated challenges in her marriage and career. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and prioritizing one's needs to achieve overall health and happiness. She also discusses the importance of seeking support from healthcare providers, educating oneself about menopause, and advocating for better care and treatment options.
She shares her journey of incorporating meditation, journaling, and gratitude practices into her daily routine to manage stress and improve her mental well-being. Haver emphasizes the need for women to prioritize themselves and find activities that help them de-stress and relax during this transitional phase of life.
Role of Hormone Therapy in Menopause
The podcast also delves into the role of hormone therapy in managing menopausal symptoms. Haver explains how progesterone can positively affect sleep by interacting with GABA receptors in the brain. She mentions the benefits of taking progesterone before bedtime to reduce nighttime anxiety and racing thoughts. She highlights the importance of seeking menopause-informed healthcare providers and suggests visiting menopause.org for a list of certified professionals.
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