I’ve been talking a lot lately about menopause, but the years immediately before menopause are probably the most difficult ones to manage for both patient and provider, since they are characterized by highly fluctuating hormone levels, and frequently associated with lots of nasty side effects. Today I’ll be focusing on those years before menopause that we call “peri-menopause” - when we are still producing ovarian hormones, but in levels that are fluctuating and unpredictable, and sometimes make us feel like we are on a roller coaster of highs and lows that feel impossible to control.

The good news is that once you understand what’s happening, we can create a treatment plan with effective options to alleviate these symptoms and put life back into balance, getting you through those really difficult years.

Every week I receive so many questions about whether it’s safe to take hormones after age 60, if it’s safe to start them more than 10 years after menopause, or when I have a family history of breast cancer, amongst others. Today I’ll be answering some of the most common questions regarding timing of hormone replacement and the science behind statements that we should stop them at a certain age, and similar recommendations that are still made by many physicians.

Also, don’t forget if you want an opportunity to meet with me in person and discuss your particular situation, and you’re not able to visit me in the office in Houston, please join me at our “Empowering Midlife Wellness” retreat May 5-8th at Miraval Austin! Visit this link for more information: https://bit.ly/3YwBTLv

Today I’m back with my dear friend Meg Ellis, conscious life coach, and founder of Phoenix 8 consulting. I’m talking with Meg about what conscious life coaching involves, and her three pillars for transformation; including the Enneagram personality test, bringing consciousness to our thought patterns and stories, and the “law of attraction.”

I’ll be sharing some real stories about how this coaching system has transformed my own life and how it could do the same for you!Meg Ellis: https://www.phoenix8consulting.com/about-us/our-team

Create your Fate podcast: https://www.phoenix8consulting.com/podcast

Enneagram test - https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test

The menopause world (and midlife women) have been buzzing this week about a recent New York Times article by Susan Dominus entitled “Women Have Been Misled About Menopause.”

This is a truly brilliant article which brings to light a number of incredibly important issues about the lack of menopause education for both physicians and patients. Dominus digs into the details of exactly why we were fed so much misinformation after the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study was stopped prematurely due to fear of cancer and other diseases -which has since turned out to be some of the most inaccurate and misunderstood information ever published. Now over 20 years later, this article paints a picture of not only how this happened, but where we are now and how women‘s menopausal health is still not given nearly the attention that it should. This is a must-read for every woman, and gives great information that you can use to take to your own doctor to advocate for your own health. You will likely be much more educated than your doctor after you listen to this talk!

Women Have Been Misled About Menopause NYT Article - https://bit.ly/40X8sUh

IG Live with Stacy London - https://www.instagram.com/p/CodjWwLPiqL/

Menopause Symptom Checker - https://bit.ly/3EaarLr

Learn more about the Empowering Midlife Wellness Retreat by visiting www.completemidlifewellness.com

I frequently hear about the counter -cultural idea that some men want sex more than their female partners. In fact, being rejected by our heterosexual partner is one of the most painful forms of rejection that we can experience. Naturally we feel it’s our fault….but it’s NOT! There is nothing wrong with you and the problem lies with him. Today I will discuss some of the most common reasons for male lack of sexual desire, and hopefully ease your pain about the shame and rejection that can cripple us.

We still have a few spots left for Empowering Midlife Wellness retreat, and some of you have understandably wondered exactly what it’s going to be like before you make your decision! This weekend I had the opportunity to visit Miraval Austin Spa & Resort, and today I’ll explain all the details about the retreat as well as all of the amazing goodies that are included, so that you can picture exactly what you will experience for this magical weekend! We can’t wait to see you there. It’s going to be the experience of a lifetime!

I’m so excited to announce that we now have Morpheus8 radio frequency skin tightening technology in our office! Following my normal policy, I never offer anything that I haven’t had done myself - and having had this procedure several times I can personally tell you that it does make a significant difference for those annoying areas of wrinkly skin, especially under the chin, over the knees, and really just about anywhere!

Today I’ll be talking about how Morpheus8 works and what to expect when you have the procedure.

Bone loss accelerates around the time of menopause, which makes it so important to understand if we are at risk for developing significant bone loss or osteoporosis, which increases our risk of serious fractures. Today I’m talking about how to assess our bone health, as well as what interventions we can take to reduce our risk of bone loss and prevent osteoporosis, as well as how to treat osteoporosis if it’s already present.

With New Year’s resolutions in the air, most of us are actively thinking about ways to move towards the best version of ourselves. Just like Aristotle describe the inevitability of an acorn becoming an oak tree with the right nutrition, I believe that we are destined to become the best version of ourselves if we surround ourselves with the right people and things to help us to move in that direction. Perhaps we could be less aggressive about resolutions and instead allow ourselves to move in a positive direction with some kindness.

One of the best ways to support positive transition is surrounding ourselves with others who are doing the same thing. In this video I’m sharing information about an exciting upcoming women’s retreat that I’m offering with some amazing cohosts, May 5-8 at the Miraval Austin Spa and Resort.

For more information click this link. https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Empowering-Midlife-Wellness-Retreat-Information-nov19.pdf

I always love sharing good news from patient success stories, and this amazing patient not only lost 56 pounds this year, but no longer has diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and other health issues! After 2 failed bariatric surgeries she had given up hope that anything would work, but at 72 years old she is now healthier than she’s been in the past 30 years. This program truly can work for any patient, and hearing this story you will be inspired not to give up your dream of getting to your goal healthy weight!

CMWC Weight Loss Program - https://www.completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/holistic-medical-weight-optimization-program/