If you're in midlife and noticing that you're forgetting things more often, feeling more anxious, experiencing heart palpitations, mood swings, weight gain, or dull skin... you might be going through perimenopause or menopause! These seemingly unrelated symptoms may actually be connected, and part of the hormonal changes seen in peri and menopause!

The good news is that suffering is not mandatory. Make sure to visit your dermatologist and gynecologist to get accurate information and the best support during this season of life. Embrace this transition with knowledge and care, and discover how you can thrive through these changes!

Don't miss this week's podcast episode where Dr. Sadaf Lodhi talks all about peri and menopause. Learn about the symptoms, what medications can help, and get useful recommendations for getting through this stage. You wouldn’t want to miss this one!

Key Takeaways:

- Perimenopause is the time before a woman's last menstrual period when hormone levels fluctuate, leading to various symptoms.

- Common symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, joint pain, hair loss, pain with sex, decreased libido, and irregular periods.

- Hormone therapy, specifically estrogen and progesterone, can help alleviate symptoms and prevent long-term health issues like osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes.

- The best time to start hormone therapy is during perimenopause or early menopause, before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the last menstrual period.

- There is a knowledge gap among practitioners regarding hormone therapy, and it is important to find a healthcare provider who is up-to-date and comfortable prescribing hormones.

- Social media and increased awareness are empowering women to demand better research and treatments for perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Topical estrogen cream can be used in the vulva region to address the changes in vaginal tissue that occur due to decreased estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.

- Vaginal estrogen cream helps prevent infections, bladder infections, and recurrent UTIs by maintaining the health of the vaginal tissue. Vaginal estrogen cream is safe and not systemically absorbed when used topically.

In this Episode:

(6:40) Symptoms and Changes in Perimenopause

(14:02) Benefits of Hormone Therapy

(16:20) Addressing the Knowledge Gap

(18:58) Preventing Long-Term Health Issues

(26:40) Preventing Infections and UTIs with Vaginal Estrogen Cream

(29:37) Benefits and Safety of Vaginal Estrogen Cream

(34:50) Supplements for Health During Perimenopause and Menopause

Get Dr. Mina's free PDF on How to create Healthy Skin Habits here.

Download the free eBook 'Skincare Myths Busted' here.

Dr. Sadaf Lodhi is a board-certified OBGYN and executive coach for women based in New York. She graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She earned a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University and completed her residency in gynecology and obstetrics in Michigan.

She is a sex counselor and educator, a menopause society certified practitioner, and an ISSWSH fellow. With over 20 years of experience as a practicing OBGYN in New York, her mission has always been to empower and educate women. Most recently, she has opened a telehealth practice serving patients in NY and Michigan for sexual and menopausal health, and a private practice set to open in Summer 2024. She helps women remove mental and physical barriers so they can find pleasure in their relationships. She believes that all women, regardless of their backgrounds, have the potential to live life to its fullest.

Find Dr. Lodhi here:

https://www.instagram.com/drsadafobgyn/

https://www.tiktok.com/@drsadafobgyn

https://drsadaf.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@themuslimsexpodcast2456

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The content of this podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes and does not constitute formal medical advice.