Are you using a transdermal estrogen patch or gel and wondering why it doesn’t seem to be doing much? New research may have an answer.

In this episode, Dr. Ritch discusses a recent study published in Menopause that suggests some women may not absorb estrogen effectively through the skin — and that could explain why symptoms persist, even with consistent use.

She breaks down what the research reveals, possible factors affecting absorption, and what this might mean for your treatment plan.

🎧 Listen now and share this episode with someone who might benefit from it. 

If the show has been helpful, don’t forget to subscribe or leave a quick review — new episodes return this fall, so stay tuned!

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Ready to enrich your menopause journey?

Connect with Dr. Jessica Ritch through Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more free resources on menopause!

And JOIN OUR MAILING LIST to get early access to new episodes!📩

Are your New Year’s resolutions already collecting dust? If your big goals have faded into the background, this episode is for you.

As women navigating midlife and menopause, it’s easy to slip into survival mode and lose sight of the habits that truly support our well-being. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome back licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist Deborah Marcus Stayman. You may remember Debbie from our earlier episodes on overwhelm and empty nesting - today, she’s here to help us build healthy habits that actually stick.

We’re unpacking the real reasons habits fall apart (Hint: It’s not just willpower!), and how to use self-awareness, journaling, and behavior-based tools to reclaim your time and energy. Debbie walks us through a practical habit assessment and introduces techniques like the 10-minute rule and implementation intentions to make change not just possible - but doable.

This could be your empowering midlife reset... Tune in now and start reshaping your routines with intention. 🎧

💬 If you loved this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who could use a mindset boost this season.

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Get in touch with Deborah Marcus Stayman:
305-902-7662
[email protected]

Website: DeborahMarcus-Stayman.com

LinkedIn: Deborah-Marcus-Stayman

Have you ever wondered why your joints ache more as you get older, or worried that you’re not doing enough to protect your bones? 

So many of us feel confused by conflicting advice about nutrition, supplements, and exercise, especially as we move through perimenopause and menopause. 

In this episode, I sit down with two incredible guests and long-time friends: Sydney Nitzkorski, a registered dietician and fitness instructor, and Jocelyn Wittstein, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and associate professor at Duke University. 

You may remember them from our previous episode on joint health (Episode 25: Your joints on menopause and exercise), and now they’re back to share insights from their brand new book, “The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan.”

Together, we dive into the real science behind anti-inflammatory diets, the truth about dairy and plant-based milks, and why maintaining muscle mass and flexibility is so crucial-especially for women in midlife.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and check out “The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan” for even more actionable tips!

>>> Grab the book on Amazon or purchase it on Barnes & Noble

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Connect with Sydney via Sydney Nitzkorski Fitness & Nutrition
and Instagram: @sn.fitnut

Connect with Dr. Wittstein via DukeHealth.org
and Instagram: @jocelyn_wittstein_md

Have you ever started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and noticed unexpected bleeding?

It can feel confusing - or even alarming.

In this episode, I open up a conversation many women are hesitant to have: abnormal bleeding while on HRT. Whether you're new to therapy or have been on it for a while, understanding what's considered normal versus what’s worth checking out is key to managing your health confidently. 

I’ll walk you through the most common causes, when to seek help, and what you can expect when you bring it up with your doctor - so we can take the guesswork out of it.

Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might be going through the same thing - and if it resonates, please leave a rating or review to help others find the show.

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Ready to enrich your menopause journey?

Connect with Dr. Jessica Ritch through Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more free resources on menopause!

And JOIN OUR MAILING LIST to get early access to new episodes!📩

Our everyday habits might be quietly increasing our cancer risk — and we don’t even realize it.

In this episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal: the day I learned I was at risk for cancer, and how that shifted everything for me. It wasn’t a dramatic diagnosis, but it was enough to make me pause and reflect on the way I had been living.

I also share the small but powerful changes I’ve made since - changes that anyone can start implementing today.

May this episode inspire you to start tuning in to your body and take your health seriously — before you’re forced to.

🎧 Give it a listen, and if it resonates, please share it with someone who might need to hear it too.

Because prevention starts with awareness, and your health is too important to ignore.

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Ready to enrich your menopause journey?

Connect with Dr. Jessica Ritch through Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more free resources on menopause!

And JOIN OUR MAILING LIST to get early access to new episodes!📩

Are you in your early forties and suddenly feeling like your body is betraying you with hot flashes, brain fog, or anxiety?

Are you constantly asking yourself, "Is it hot, or is it just me?"

You're not alone!

Many women start experiencing perimenopause symptoms in their mid-30s, which can feel isolating and confusing.

In this episode, we're diving into the world of perimenopause with Carin Luna-Ostaseski, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Hot or Just Me*. Carin shares her personal journey of navigating perimenopause and how it inspired her to -create a platform that offers advice, community, support, and carefully vetted products for women experiencing these changes.


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Follow @HotOrJustMe on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and Pinterest


Resources mentioned in the episode:

1. Hot or Just Me Website*
   (Use the code: ENRITCHED for 10% off!)
2. The New Menopause by Dr. Mache Seibel
3. Period.org
4. Dipsy
5. Quinn
6. The Gottman Institute
7. Love Decks App
8. Rosie App

*This is an affiliate link, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Every purchase helps us continue sharing empowering conversations around menopause — thank you for being a part of this journey!

Menopause impacts more than just your reproductive system - it affects your entire body, including your lungs. Yet, this crucial connection is rarely discussed.

In this episode, we explore the link between menopause, hormones, and lung function with Dr. Efrat Eliyahu, a genetics professor and PhD at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She shares groundbreaking research on how hormonal shifts influence pulmonary function, the potential role of hormone therapy in conditions like asthma and pulmonary hypertension, and why a personalized approach to treatment is essential.

🎧 Tune in to discover how menopause affects lung health, estrogen’s role in breathing, and the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.


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🔗 Learn more about Dr. Efrat Eliyahu’s research:
Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Women's Lung Health and Disease

Have you ever felt like you're stuck on autopilot, juggling responsibilities while putting yourself last? 

What if hitting pause could actually help you reset and come back stronger?

In this episode, I sit down with wellness expert and yoga instructor Sonia Azad to talk about the power of rest, movement, and mindfulness - especially during perimenopause and menopause. 

After attending one of her retreats in Puerto Rico, I saw firsthand how slowing down can transform your well-being. We dive into self-care, nervous system regulation, and the magic of simply giving yourself permission to slow down.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from yourself, this conversation is a must-listen. 

🎧  Tune in to learn how small shifts like meditation, mindful movement, or just carving out space for yourself, can bring lasting renewal.

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🔗 Explore Sonia’s classes at Azad Wellness Collective
📲 Follow her journey on Instagram: @SoniaAzadTV

With all the talk about hormone therapy, you may be disappointed if hormones are not for you, either due to health conditions, intolerance or other factors.  But, that doesn’t mean that you simply have to suffer.  

In this episode, Dr. Ritch discusses some of the most common, non-hormonal things you can do to help improve your health and symptoms in perimenopause and menopause. 


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Ready to enrich your menopause journey?

Connect with Dr. Jessica Ritch through Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more free resources on menopause!

And JOIN OUR MAILING LIST to get early access to new episodes!📩

Hormone therapy can have a lot of benefits, but there are risks, too and it’s not right for everyone.  

In this episode, Dr. Ritch discusses the main reasons why someone shouldn’t be on hormone therapy and areas to consider the risks versus benefits.  

She discusses everything from cancer to heart disease, family history and genetic factors, migraine headaches and more.


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Ready to enrich your menopause journey?

Connect with Dr. Jessica Ritch through Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more free resources on menopause!

And JOIN OUR MAILING LIST to get early access to new episodes!📩