4.5 - THE POWER PANEL, Part 1: Hormones, Hype and the Hard Truth
Aging Powerfully with Melissa GreloSummary
A panel of four experts in women's health addresses critical issues surrounding midlife health, particularly focusing on menopause and its associated challenges. The discussion highlights the lack of adequate training for many healthcare providers in menopause care, leading to gaps in support for women navigating this transition. Dr. Sheila Wajeyasinghe emphasizes the need for better education among clinicians to improve care, noting that many doctors are not equipped to address menopause-related concerns, which leaves many women feeling unheard and unsupported.
The panelists also explore the complexities of menopause hormone therapy, asserting that it is one of several options available for managing symptoms. They caution against the oversimplification of hormone therapy as a cure-all, stressing the importance of a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. The conversation touches on emerging treatments like GLP-1 medications, which have shown promise in weight management and metabolic health, but the experts urge caution regarding their accessibility and the potential for misuse.
As the discussion progresses, the panelists express concern over the societal pressures women face regarding body image and health. They advocate for a more nuanced understanding of women's health in midlife, encouraging women to take an active role in their health journeys. The episode concludes with a promise of further exploration into topics such as peptides, sleep, and stress management in the next installment, aiming to empower women with knowledge and resources for healthy aging.
Show Notes
Why are so many women leaving their doctor's office with more questions than answers? For the first time on Aging Powerfully, I'm bringing together four powerhouse experts for one no holds barred conversation: a neuroscientist, a family physician and menopause specialist, a fitness and menopause expert, and a registered dietitian. Four lenses, one mission: helping you understand what is really happening in your body at midlife.
In Part 1, the panel takes on the hottest and most hotly debated topics in women's health. Is menopause care failing women? Should hormone therapy be a first line option? Are GLP-1s a breakthrough or a shortcut? And is the peptide boom the next frontier or the next wellness gold rush? The science, the myths and what the evidence actually says.
In this episode: Access to care, medical gaslighting and the family doctor shortage as a women's health crisis Why there is no reliable blood test for perimenopause, and the problem with at home hormone testing kits Menopause hormone therapy: who it's for, when to consider it, and the truth about compounded and "bioidentical" hormones Testosterone: the most overlooked hormone in women's midlife care? GLP-1s: the promise, the muscle loss question, and whether they'll one day be as normal as statins Peptides: anti aging breakthrough or ahead of the science? Meet The Panel: Dr. Sara Mitchell is a neuroscientist researching how the menopause transition affects cognition, mood and long term brain health. @doctor.sara.mitchell Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe is a family physician and menopause specialist known for her clear, practical approach to women's health. @drsheilaw Amanda Thebe is a fitness and menopause expert and bestselling author of Menopocalypse. @amanda.thebe Alissa Steinberg is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator specializing in the metabolic, hormonal and digestive sides of women's health. @healthyu_dietitian
This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare provider about your own care.
Watch the full video episode and join the conversation on Substack: melissagrelo.substack.com!
Find Melissa Grelo on Instagram @MelissaGrelo and @AgingPowerfullyWithMG, or on her website AgingPowerfullyWithMelissaGrelo.com.
Producer: Melissa Grelo
Audio/Video Producer and Editor: Drew Garner
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