187. Hot Flashes, Hormones & Menopause: A Conversation with Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe
The Obesity Doctor PodcastShow Notes
Menopause is something every woman will experience, yet many still feel confused, dismissed, or overwhelmed when symptoms begin. In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe to unpack the realities of perimenopause, menopause, and hormone therapy in a practical, evidence-based way.
We talk about what the menopause transition actually looks like, why symptoms can begin years before periods stop, and why so many women are told their labs are “normal” even when they don’t feel normal. We also break down some of the biggest misconceptions around hormone therapy, including safety concerns, breast cancer risk, cardiovascular risk, and whether bloodwork is actually useful in making a diagnosis.
In this conversation, we cover: - The difference between perimenopause and menopause - Early symptoms women may notice in their 40s - Whether hormone testing is necessary - What menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is and who may benefit - The difference between regulated bioidentical hormones and compounded products - How hormone therapy may impact sleep, mood, bone health, urogenital symptoms, and brain fog - Non-hormonal approaches to symptom management - How women can advocate for themselves if they feel dismissed in healthcare settings
My hope is that this episode helps bring clarity to a stage of life that still carries so much confusion and misinformation, and that women walk away feeling more informed and empowered to make decisions about their health.
Links & Resources
You can follow Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe on Instagram at @drsheilaw and check out the Doc Talk Podcast for more evidence-based health conversations.
Menopause Management Resource from the Centre for Effective Practice https://cep.health/clinical-products/menopause-management/
Menopause Symptom Tracker https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/resources/menopause-symptoms/
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