Each person’s experience of the menopause transition is unique. Changes affect sleep, mood, mental acuity, and subsequently, you guessed it, our vestibular system. Reports of the effect women’s hormones play on their vestibular systems are common, but symptoms vary. During different hormonal periods, some women report a new onset of symptoms, while others report a worsening of existing symptoms, and some even report improvement. 

In this episode of the ICU - "I See You" podcast, hosts are joined by Dr. Maja Scrakic and vestibular patient Nina Coslov who discuss personal experiences and research on this important topic.

This podcast is a co-production of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) and Unfixed Media. https://unfixedmedia.com/

About the Guests:

Dr. Maja Svrakic is a board certified neurotologist. She holds a faculty appointment at the Northwell Health Department of Otolaryngology at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center and is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine, where she is also the Program Director for the Residency in Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. Dr. Svrakic immigrated from Belgrade, Serbia, graduated summa cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, and received her medical degree from Columbia University. She completed residency in Otolaryngology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a fellowship in Neurotology at New York University, and a Masters in Health Professions Pedagogy and Leadership at the Hofstra University School of Education. She has also authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters. 

Nina Coslov has experienced episodic dizziness on and off for years and like many of us, navigated countless doctors and hypotheses, tried many therapies, and wondered about the relationship of her dizzy symptoms to hormonal changes. Nina Coslov created Women Living Better (womenlivingbetter.org) to provide anticipatory guidance about perimenopause. Intent on better characterizing the path to menopause, Nina focuses on education and research. Nina and her research partners have published seven papers in peer-reviewed journals. Nina was the lead author on “Symptom experience during the late reproductive stage and the menopause transition: observations from the Women Living Better survey” published in the journal Menopause. She also authored the chapter “Women’s Voices: The Lived Experience of the Path to Menopause” in Each Women’s Menopause: An evidenced Based Resource. Nina received the 2021 Media Award from the North American Menopause Society. 

Additional resource about vestibular disorders in women: https://vestibular.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/KIWH_062321_Vestibular-Disorders-in-Women_Flyer_v1.pdf

Hosts:

Cynthia Ryan, Executive Director of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) https://vestibular.org/

Kimberly Warner, Founder and Director of Unfixed Media https://unfixedmedia.com/

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If you are experiencing vertigo, tinnitus, dizziness, imbalance, brain fog, or other balance-related symptoms, VeDA may be able to help. To learn more about vestibular conditions and get help finding a diagnosis, treatment, coping tools, and support visit https://vestibular.org/

For help finding a vestibular healthcare provider visit https://vestibular.org/healthcare-directory/

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