Dr. Manna Semby is a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor and Menopause Society certified practitioner. She specializes in midlife transformation through hormone optimization, brain health, and systems biology. She is the founder of Aruna Personalized Medicine and creator of the Aruna method, a multimodal model designed to help high achieving women reclaim energy, clarity and resilience during life's most pivotal transition. A ReCODE 2.0 certified practitioner and recent TEDx speaker, Dr. Semby brings together science, wisdom and strategy to help her patients not just feel better, but step fully into the next chapter of their lives as clear, confident leaders.

In this episode of Conversations for Health, we dive into all things peri and post menopause, including brain health, bone health, heart health, and some of the issues that aren't getting enough attention when it comes to supporting women during this exceptional transition. Dr. Semby offers resources for oncology hormone guidelines, highlights situations when hormones are not safe while treating breast cancer, and shares the optimal timing for introducing bioidentical hormones. Dr. Semby's insights are filled with information for practitioners and patients alike, and offer actionable encouragement for supporting women through one of life's greatest changes.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Manna Semby: https://arunamed.com/about/

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Designs for Health Practitioner Exclusive Drug Nutrient Depletion and Interaction Checker - https://www.designsforhealth.com/drug-nutrient-interaction/

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

The Designs for Health Podcast is produced in partnership with Podfly Productions.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

01:55 Dr. Manna Semby is lit up about finally writing her first book.

02:45 A journey from finance to naturopathic and functional medicine in her 40s.

05:45 Dr. Semby's experiences led her to practicing in brain health and midlife women's health.

12:58 Situations when hormones are not safe while treating breast cancer.

16:55 Resources for oncology hormone guidelines.

19:33 A brief history of the timing of prescribing hormones.

24:45 Partnering with organizations in your community to share information.

25:40 Optimal timing for introducing bioidentical hormones.

32:27 Latest research findings about ending hormone treatments.

39:05 The relationship between hot flashes and brain health.

43:15 Educating women about heart disease and cardiovascular health.

47:11 Financial considerations in bioidentical hormone treatments.

49:44 The natural progression or medicalization of menopause.

54:11 Bone health and bone loss in perimenopause.

57:00 Supplement recommendations for perimenopause and menopause.

1:02:32 Dr. Semby's personal favorite supplement, favorite health practices, and changed view of doctors and hormones.