Show Notes
Dr. Mindy Pelz joins SheMD for a wide-ranging conversation about fasting, hormones and metabolic health throughout a woman’s life. Mindy explains how her approach to fasting changed after she began seeing women experience symptoms including hair loss, thyroid issues and stalled weight loss when they fasted continuously without taking their menstrual cycle into account. She breaks down how she approaches fasting during different phases of the cycle, why she recommends easing up on fasting before a period, and how those recommendations may change during perimenopause and after menopause. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mindy also discuss insulin resistance, PCOS, metabolic health, ketones, protein, carbohydrates and the relationship between blood sugar and hormonal symptoms. Mindy explains what she means by “metabolic switching,” how she structures an eating window, why she discourages constant snacking and what she likes women to eat when breaking a fast. Plus, she shares why she sees menopause not as a decline but as an opportunity for women to rethink their health, their brains and the next chapter of their lives. Sponsors Prolon: Featured in an advertisement discussing its five-day program, which is described as supporting fat-focused weight loss while protecting lean muscle. The episode includes an offer of 15% off sitewide, plus a $40 bonus gift with a five-day program subscription, at prolonlife.com/gmd. Huel: Featured in an advertisement for Huel Black Edition powder and ready-to-drink meals, highlighting protein, convenience, and nutritional content. The ad mentions 15% off online for new customers with code CMD at huel.com/gmd. Peloton: Featured in an advertisement for the Peloton Tread Flex treadmill, highlighting its foldable design and at-home running, walking, hiking, and training options. Sequencing.com: Featured in an advertisement for whole-genome testing, including information about genetic screening and medication-response insights. The ad mentions up to 10% off a full genome test, plus free shipping, with code GMD at sequencing.com. IT Cosmetics: Featured in an advertisement for the Do-It All Sheer Tint Face Balm, highlighting its skincare ingredients and tinted coverage. What You’ll Learn How Dr. Mindy Pelz's experience with chronic fatigue influenced her interest in nutrition, lifestyle changes, and women's health. Why she developed a cycle-based approach to fasting and what she observed when women adjusted their fasting routines around their menstrual cycles. How estrogen and progesterone differ in their metabolic roles, including why progesterone is associated with an increased need for glucose. Why the week before menstruation may call for changes to fasting and carbohydrate intake. How fasting strategies may differ for women who are menstruating, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal. What metabolic switching means, how the body uses glucose and ketones for energy, and how fasting relates to this process. How insulin resistance may contribute to metabolic changes associated with PCOS, including weight gain, acne, hair loss, and irregular periods. Why Dr. Mindy emphasizes metabolic health when discussing hormonal symptoms, brain fog, and changes in weight. What autophagy is and how Dr. Mindy describes its role in cellular maintenance and repair. Why food quality, adequate protein, healthy fats, fiber, and less frequent snacking are central to her approach to metabolic health. How to think about fasting duration and timing in relation to menstrual cycles and symptoms such as spotting, anxiety, and insomnia. Why Dr. Mindy describes menopause as an opportunity for reinvention, personal growth, and a new stage of leadership. How changes in estrogen may affect neurotransmitters involved in mood, motivation, memory, and emotional well-being. How novelty, storytelling, and exposure to natural daylight can support habits associated with cognitive health. What Dr. Mindy recommends considering when breaking a fast, including b
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For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi shares her own breast cancer story and the lessons she wants every woman to take from it. Dr. A explains how an abnormal breast biopsy led her to calculate her lifetime breast cancer risk, why she continued pushing for a preventative double mastectomy despite being repeatedly reassured that she was fine, and the shocking pathology result that revealed breast cancer after surgery. She also breaks down six breast changes women should take seriously, including new or persistent breast lumps, skin dimpling, nipple changes, discharge, persistent flaky or scaly skin and changes in the appearance of the breast skin. Dr. A explains the difference between traditional monthly self-exams and breast awareness, why knowing what is normal for your body matters, and when a breast change should prompt a call to your doctor. Plus, we discuss dense breasts, mammograms and ultrasounds, family history, lifetime breast cancer risk, genetic testing, polygenic risk scores and why being young or having no family history does not mean a breast change should be dismissed. This episode is about knowing your risk, noticing changes and becoming your own health advocate. Sponsors OSEA Malibu: The episode features OSEA Malibu’s Undaria Algae Body Oil, a seaweed-infused body oil designed to moisturize skin and promote a healthy-looking glow. Use code CMD for 10% off your first order. Gusto: Featured in a sponsored segment about simplifying payroll, tax filings, HR, and employee benefits for small businesses. The episode promotes three months of free payroll for eligible new customers. Peloton: Featured in a sponsored segment introducing the Tread Flex treadmill and discussing accessible running, walking, hiking, and at-home fitness. David Protein: Featured in a sponsored segment highlighting the brand's high-protein bars, including its Gold and Bronze product lines. The episode promotes a buy-four-cartons-get-the-fifth-free offer. What You’ll Learn How Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi discovered that her lifetime breast cancer risk was significantly higher than expected, despite having no family history or known major genetic mutations. Why atypical lobular hyperplasia can increase breast cancer risk and why understanding biopsy results matters when evaluating your personal risk. How Dr. Aliabadi's experience with preventive mastectomy ultimately led to an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. Why breast cancer concerns can be dismissed in healthcare settings and how patients can advocate for further evaluation when something does not feel right. The six breast changes that warrant medical attention: a new or persistent lump, skin dimpling or other skin changes, nipple discharge, newly inverted nipples, persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple, and unusual redness or discoloration. The difference between routine self-breast examinations and breast awareness, including why it is important to recognize what is normal for your own body. How family history, breast density, previous biopsies, hormonal history, and other factors can contribute to an individual's breast cancer risk assessment. What the Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment tool evaluates and how a lifetime risk estimate can help inform conversations about screening. Why dense breast tissue can both increase breast cancer risk and make abnormalities more difficult to identify on a mammogram. How 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI may be used in screening plans, depending on individual risk and clinical guidance. What genetic testing can reveal about inherited breast cancer risk, including mutations in genes such as BRCA. What polygenic risk scores measure and how numerous genetic variants may contribute to breast cancer risk even when a person does not have a major known genetic mutation. Why breast implants do not eliminate the need for appropriate breast awareness and screening. Why new or persistent breast changes should be evaluated by a healthcare
Why does sleep suddenly become so much harder for so many women in their 30s, 40s and 50s? Eight Sleep cofounder Alexandra Zatarain joins SheMD to explore how hormones, temperature and the brain’s natural circadian rhythm affect the way women sleep throughout different stages of life. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi explains why fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause can contribute to night sweats, temperature changes, anxiety, racing thoughts and middle-of-the-night wake-ups. Alexandra shares what years of sleep research and data have taught the Eight Sleep team about deep sleep, REM sleep, temperature regulation, pregnancy, menopause and recovery. We also break down how much sleep adults actually need, why consistency matters and why alcohol, caffeine and late-night exercise may interfere with recovery even when you are technically getting enough hours. Plus, Alexandra shares five practical habits she recommends for better sleep and helps us tackle common sleep myths, including whether you can really catch up on lost sleep over the weekend and whether a nightcap actually helps you sleep. If your sleep has changed and you cannot figure out why, this episode is for you.
Naomi Watts joins SheMD alongside renowned sexual arousal researcher Dr. Cindy Meston for a candid conversation about sex, desire and what happens to women’s bodies during perimenopause and menopause. Naomi shares her experience learning in her 30s that she was likely entering early menopause, the shame and isolation she initially felt and how opening up about her changing body ultimately transformed her relationship with intimacy. Dr. Meston explains why female sexual desire may work differently than many women have been taught, including why arousal can sometimes come before desire. She also breaks down the physical and psychological factors that can affect sex, from hormones, blood flow and vaginal changes to stress, sleep, body image and relationships. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi discusses treatment options for women experiencing painful sex, vaginal dryness and changes in libido, including vaginal moisturizers, lubricants, vaginal estrogen and testosterone. Plus, Naomi explains why she believes menopause can be an empowering new chapter rather than the end of pleasure, intimacy or good sex.
We are revisiting one of our favorite SheMD conversations with SZA.
Miranda McKeon was only 19 when she noticed a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with stage three, hormone positive, HER2 negative invasive ductal carcinoma. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Miranda joins SheMD to share the full story of her diagnosis, treatment and life after breast cancer. She opens up about the breast dimpling she initially dismissed, learning she carried a CHEK2 mutation despite having no family history of cancer, freezing her eggs before chemotherapy, undergoing a double mastectomy and radiation, and entering medically induced menopause in her early 20s. Miranda also talks candidly about painful sex, vaginal dryness, low libido, dating, body image, fertility and the emotional impact of experiencing cancer during what should have been her college years. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi explains breast changes women should pay attention to, how genetics and breast density can affect risk, and why knowing your own baseline and speaking up when something changes can matter. This conversation is a powerful reminder that breast cancer does not only affect older women and that knowing your body is an important part of advocating for your health. Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being. Sponsors SmileSet: Listeners get an additional 35% off clear aligners at smileset.com/shemd. Arca Wealth: Book a complimentary financial planning call with an Arca advisor at arcawealth.com/shemd. Arca Wealth is a fee-only fiduciary firm. This is a paid endorsement. See arcawealth.com for important disclosures. AG1: For a limited time, get a free immune support bundle (omega-3 fish oil and vitamin D3 K2) with your first AG1 NextGen or AG1 Pro subscription order at drinkag1.com/shemd. Gusto: Get three months free when you run your first payroll at gusto.com/shemd. Larine: Listeners get up to 50% off Larine remineralizing gum at buylarine.com/shemd. What You'll Learn Why breast cancer rates are rising faster in women under 50, and why young women's symptoms are so often dismissed. The early signs of breast cancer beyond a lump, including skin dimpling, nipple changes, discharge, and persistent one-sided flaky skin. How CHEK2 mutations and polygenic risk scores shape breast cancer risk, even without a family history. Why a one-size-fits-all mammogram age misses individual risk, and how breast density, family history, and genetics change the picture. How to calculate your lifetime breast cancer risk with the Tyrer-Cuzick model and when high-risk screening should begin. How chemotherapy can affect fertility, and why egg freezing should come before treatment. What medically induced menopause looks like for a young woman, including hot flashes, low libido, and vaginal dryness. How vaginal estrogen and CO2 laser treatments can help with painful sex. How to cope emotionally with a young-onset diagnosis, from therapy to gratitude lists to a trusted inner circle.