More than one in five Canadian adults doesn't have access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner. And for women going through menopause, that gap in care can feel like a black hole, where symptoms are diminished, misunderstood, or ignored entirely.

With me on the Medsplaining podcast today is Nurse Practitioner and Certified Menopause Provider Jessica Bawden, who's been caring for women across the reproductive spectrum for over 13 years at Women's College Hospital in Toronto.

We talk about what menopause symptoms look like in patients today, how the Canadian healthcare system is treating women in midlife, and what we're doing in our own practices to bridge the gap. It's an honest, deeply personal conversation about what happens when your body starts changing, and no one around you seems to know what to do.

01:51 Welcome, Jessie Bawden, to Medsplaining!

04:13 The top five reasons women show up at Jessie's door.

06:15 How healthcare providers are (or aren't) stepping up.

10:01 The gaslighting we're done with: "It's All in Your Head"

11:51 How we cracked the code on hot flashes.

14:40 Jessie's client story that says it all.

22:26 Weight, and diet…Welcome to the lifestyle tangle.

26:16 Breaking down the why behind the brain fog.

29:09 Jessie's treatment triage. Who gets what?

34:31 Hormone therapy's double standard.

37:06 Testosterone for women: Hype or help?

42:45 Jessie's wish list for better menopause care.

This episode was made possible thanks to an education grant from Bayer Canada.

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With me on the Medsplaining podcast today is entrepreneur Penny Light, founder of Grit & Grace Clothing, and Grit & Grace Adventures—a boutique travel group for women over 45.

Penny's story hits home for so many because it begins in a place we all recognize: that unsettling health spiral where you catch your reflection and wonder, Where did I go?

In this episode, we explore that moment of feeling lost—and the powerful comeback that happens when you reclaim your health and your life. Penny embodies the strength and possibility this stage of life holds, proving it's never too late to reinvent yourself and thrive.

✨Reinvent Yourself with Penny Light of Grit & Grace Adventures 01:35 Welcome, Penny Light, to Medsplaining! 02:37 Grit & Grace Clothing: because sometimes reinvention starts with a wardrobe. 05:52 Putting into words no longer feeling like myself... 08:27 Bioidenticals 101. 13:36 The hurdle everyone knows: finding a doctor who doesn't dismiss you. 16:02 Immediate symptom relief? Yes, it's a thing. 16:46 How proper MHT helped grow the business. 18:47 Grit & Grace Adventures: a boutique travel group for all. 22:48 The grandmother hypothesis. 30:07 Lifestyle changes: the real prescription no one wants to hear. 35:16 If Penny could tell every woman one thing about perimenopause, it would be this... 37:21 Penny's grandmother lived to 103. What's her secret to longevity?

Check out Penny on Instagram, and visit Grit & Grace Adventures or Grit & Grace Clothing.

💜 Like, share, and leave a review! ✨Sign up for the Perimenopause Power Plan 🙋‍♀️ Download my FREE perimenopause symptom tracker 💌 Subscribe to my Substack 🩺 Send me a DM on Instagram 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Thanks for tuning in. See you next time! Hugs and good health, Dr. Jen

Save 50% off the Perimenopause Power Plan with code SUMMER50 only until July 1!

I recently got my cholesterol checked, and it got me thinking about how important it is to interpret them the right way—especially for women in perimenopause like myself. There's a strong misconception that high cholesterol automatically means high cardiovascular risk. Yes, estrogen offers a protective effect against heart disease. As our levels drop during perimenopause, that protection fades. But that doesn't mean every woman with high LDL is on the verge of a heart attack.

So in this mini episode, I'm looking at my own numbers and explaining the difference between high cholesterol versus high cardiovascular risk.

✨High Cholesterol vs. High CVD risk 01:51 Worried about cholesterol? You're not the only one losing sleep over those lab results. 02:45 Exposing my cholesterol numbers. 03:28 Wait, what's the FRS and why does it matter so much? 04:22 Family is everything… Really, your family history can say lots about your health. 05:12 Real ways to lower your cardiovascular risk without any medical intervention.

💜 Like, share, and leave a review! ✨Sign up for the Perimenopause Power Plan 🙋‍♀️ Download my FREE perimenopause symptom tracker 💌 Subscribe to my Substack 🩺 Send me a DM on Instagram 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Thanks for tuning in. See you next time! Hugs and good health, Dr. Jen

Save $20 on the Perimenopause Power Plan with the code SAVE20 at checkout until June 20.

Welcome back to Medsplaining! We're back with another episode about summer skincare—and this time, we're answering your most commonly asked summer skincare questions.

Back on the pod today is double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Tran to answer the most commonly asked questions about summer skincare, like how to avoid burns, oiliness, and dehydration—AND, Dr. Jenn shares her current skincare routine for summer.

Follow Dr. Jennifer Tran on Instagram and TikTok

✨Underrated Summer Skincare Tips 01:40 Should you switch up your skincare routine in the summer? 02:20 If you thought sunburn was your biggest enemy this summer, think again. 03:30 This dermatologist's skincare routine this summer. 04:17 Which skincare products to ditch this summer. 05:30 "My makeup has SPF, I'm good... right?" 06:10 Before you stock up on sunscreen, know which ingredients to look for. 06:55 Lip SPF—do you really need it? 07:50 Skincare for kids: what's safe, what's unnecessary? 08:40 My toddler won't let me apply sunscreen to their face. What are some tips? 09:20 Thermal burns in summer? Yes, it's a thing. 10:40 If you only change one thing about your skincare this summer, make it this. 11:45 What's new in the world of dermatology?

💜 Like, share, and leave a review! 🙋‍♀️ Download my FREE perimenopause symptom tracker 💌 Subscribe to my Substack 🩺 Send me a DM on Instagram 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Thanks for tuning in. See you next time! Hugs and good health, Dr. Jen

If you're planning your summer vacation, don't let a bug bite, stiff shoulders, or sunburns ruin the vibe.

The mom in me can't help but think about safety when travelling. Everyone's at risk of bug bites or bruises, but not everyone thinks about what they can do to prevent and remedy the situation. So I've fine-tuned my first aid kit down to the essentials—small enough to toss in any bag, smart enough to actually help when things go sideways.

So let's take a peek inside my summer bag—what I carry, what I swear by, and what's saved me more than once. Marnie will throw scenarios at me, and I have to pull three things from my bag to help remedy the situation.

Sunburns and bruises have no standing chance.

✨ What's in my bag

[03:10] — Long travel day? This is what I reach for first to soothe stiff shoulders.

[05:28] — Planning any hikes or outdoor activities? These first-aid essentials are perfect to soothe bruises.

[07:53] — Bugs will crash your party. But don't let them ruin your trip! These products work wonders to get them off your back.

[09:44] — Very few things will effectively fade scars. This is the one product I found that actually does the trick.

[11:50] — I used this product when my husband burned himself in the kitchen. What's the saying? If you can't handle the heat… Get some burn cream!

[14:27] — Of course I didn't forget about sunburns! And there's more to it than just SPF.

[16:06] — Coolness in a can exists. Combat redness like a pro.

💜 Like, share, and leave a review! 💌 Subscribe to my Substack 🩺 Send me a DM on Instagram 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

This episode is sponsored by Zax's Original first aid skincare products—your go-to solution for soothing relief. Developed by a pharmacist and created by a mom, Zax's Original is the trusted first-aid skincare solution for families. Check out zaxsoriginal.com for more info.

Oprah launched her big menopause special, and it's all I've been hearing about lately. It's on the news, on my social media feeds, and has even made its way into conversations with peers.

In case you missed it, Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Maria Shriver, and Certified Menopause Specialist Dr. Mary Claire Haver joined Oprah in a broadcasted conversation about what women experience in perimenopause. The message was clear: if you're in midlife and feeling off, it's definitely menopause.

That's where I hit pause. Have we completely missed the point?

So in this episode of Medsplaining, I go through common symptoms of perimenopause that could hide as a real health condition. To those who watched or heard of Oprah's special, I want to say that although your perimenopause symptoms are valid, it should not be a reason to skip the doctor.

✨ Is it perimenopause or something else?

[00:28] — There's an exclusive Zax's Original skincare giveaway worth over $130. Want in? Here's how to enter.

[01:04] — Everything you need to know about Oprah's big menopause special.

[02:22] — Racing heart? It might be perimenopause. Or it might be something your cardiologist would love to discuss.

[02:55] — Heavy bleeding or irregular spotting? Before labelling it as "just menopause," there's a whole world of possibilities lurking beneath the surface.

[03:20] — Migraine alert: sometimes it's just hormones. Sometimes it's your body waving a big red flag.

[03:19] — Fatigue? It might not always be a lack of sleep. It could also be iron and B12 that are MIA.

[03:54] — Is your sleep apnea worsening? Perimenopause might not be the culprit here.

[04:0] — Don't write off mood swings as part of the transition because it's also a big part of mood disorders.

[04:27] — This one sign will tell you if brain fog could be more than just forgetting your keys again…

💜 Like, share, and leave a review! 💌 Subscribe to my Substack 🩺 Send me a DM on Instagram 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Thanks for tuning in. See you next time!

Hugs and good health,

Dr. Jen

The Medsplaining podcast is back! We're kicking off this new season with a hot topic: summer skincare.

I'm joined again by Dr. Jennifer Tran (@drjenntran), a double board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto, and our go-to skin expert, to talk about treating summer skin woes: from breakouts to sunburns. We're breaking down what works, what doesn't and what products to grab (or ditch) this season.

So if you're not sure how to update your skincare this summer, this is the best place to start. We're giving you the real solutions to the most common (and annoying) skin issues that come with the heat.

Featured in your guide:

[03:16] — New pup alert! Meet the newest member of the fam. I'm head over heels about her.

[05:27] — A patient walks into a derm's office… and yup, this summer skin issue is what dermatologists see every. single. day.

[06:59] — Skincare mistakes you don't know you're making. Are you using the right sunscreen?

[07:40] — Mystery skincare case: One of my patients got melasma, a condition causing skin darkening and discolouration. What happened? Could it have been prevented?

[12:22] — YES! You still need a moisturizer in the summer. NO. Your sweat doesn't count. Here's what a derm recommends instead.

[12:45] — Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen: which one is queen? Does it matter?

[14:52] — You don't need a derm to treat a sunburn. Here are some at-home remedies to help.

[16:32] — Summer breakouts are the worst (likely from all the sweating). This is the best way to keep your skin clear.

Like, share, and leave a review! Subscribe to my Substack Send me a DM on Instagram Watch this episode on YouTube

This episode is sponsored by Zax's Original first aid skincare products—your go-to solution for soothing relief. Developed by a pharmacist and created by a mom, Zax's Original is the trusted first-aid skincare solution for families. Check out zaxsoriginal.com for more info.

Thanks for tuning in. See you next time!

Happy New Year! It's our last episode of Season 1, and our very first episode of 2025. I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions—because I think any time is a good time to make changes in your life to be healthier. So in this episode, I share five health habits to try in 2025, inspired by some of our season 1 guests.

My top 5 tips for better health in 2025: 1. Schedule your cancer screenings 2. Choose strength over skinny 3. Eat to fuel your body 4. Prioritize sleep 5. Let go of perfection

Season 1 of Medsplaining is brought to you by Estée Lauder

Follow Medsplaining on all your favourite platforms! Spotify Apple Podcasts Instagram TikTok Facebook LinkedIn Youtube Newsletter Medsplaining is for educational purposes, not medical advice! ✨

Hormone balancing is making its way around every social platform. This urge to balance fluctuating hormones has its merits: It stems from wanting to minimize the most disruptive symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, brain fog and sleep issues. Women are looking everywhere for symptom relief. But I'm here to tell you that attempting to balance your hormones won't do the trick. Instead, you want to focus on managing the symptoms that result from your naturally fluctuating hormones, not the other way around.

In this episode of Medsplaining, we look at three important hormones—estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—and learn about their vital roles in your body's functionality.

Season 1 of Medsplaining is brought to you by Estée Lauder

Follow Medsplaining on all your favourite platforms!

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Medsplaining is for educational purposes, not medical advice! ✨

I've been amazed by the overwhelming interest in menopause and perimenopause throughout Season 1 of Medsplaining. As a result, I've received so many questions about improving your health in midlife. So, I've gathered your most frequently asked questions from this year and answered them all in this special episode of the Medsplaining podcast.

Tune in to this episode to get answers to your most asked questions of this year:

• Does hormone therapy help with weight loss?

• Can someone start hormone therapy if they are over 60?

• How long can I stay on hormone therapy?

• I have a progesterone IUD—how can I tell if I'm in menopause?

• Should I consider hormone therapy to improve my skin?

• I am struggling with frequent bladder infections and vaginal irritation. What can I do?

Do you have a question that we didn't answer in this episode? Email your questions at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @Medsplaining.

Season 1 of Medsplaining is brought to you by Estée Lauder

Follow Medsplaining on all your favourite platforms!

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

LinkedIn

Youtube

Newsletter

Medsplaining is for educational purposes, not medical advice! ✨