When we talk about menopause, the conversation usually focuses on hot flashes, sleep problems, and weight gain.

But what about mental health?

Many women experience anxiety, overwhelm, irritability, low mood, brain fog, loss of confidence, and emotional changes during perimenopause and menopause. Yet these symptoms are often misunderstood, dismissed, or attributed to stress alone.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ariel Dalfen, psychiatrist, women's mental health expert, and co-founder of BRIA, a virtual clinic dedicated to supporting women through major life transitions, including perimenopause and menopause.

Together, we discuss:

• How hormonal changes can affect mental health during midlife

• The connection between perimenopause, anxiety, depression, and mood changes

• Why many women feel unseen or unsupported during this transition

• When therapy may be helpful during menopause

• How to recognize when emotional symptoms need professional support

• The importance of integrated care for women's mental and physical health

Dr. Dalfen shares practical insights for women who are struggling emotionally and wondering whether what they're experiencing is "just stress" or something more.

If you've ever felt unlike yourself during perimenopause or menopause, this conversation offers information, reassurance, and evidence based guidance.

The one common thing we hear from our amazing audience is that they don't know where to turn for information on menopause. There are so many gaps in our healthcare that we feel overlooked and dismissed.

Well times are changing thanks to the newly launched Menopause Foundation of Canada! Trish Barbato and Janet Ko, co-founders of the non-profit advocacy organization have had their own struggles with menopause and have decided to make menopause their cause in order to help women everywhere.

Tune in to hear more about the Foundation and why it's going to be a huge help to all women!

With menopause estimated to be a multi-billion dollar industry, you can be sure that brands are going to come knocking. They want into our pockets and our pants with devices and products to cure every hotflash and night sweat.

On the one hand, we're really happy to see so many more options finally emerging to help us through menopause, but on the other hand, can we really trust what we're being sold?

Dr. Nathan Guerette, CEO of the Intimate Wellness Institute of Virginia and CMO of the Intimate Wellness Institute in Virginia joins us to talk about the red flags and warnings we need to look out for in the new menopause market.

Tune in!

With the stress of COVID, virtual schooling, WFH and everything else the past two years has thrown at us, it's easy to mistake pandemic related symptoms with a much more serious threat – cardiovascular disease. Once we hit our 40's, our bodies produce less estrogen which means less protection for our hearts. It's a silent disease because high cholesterol doesn't give any symptoms. We know this because Jacquie found out the hard way by getting bloodwork for an HRT assessment. That's when we learned that our cholesterol rises with the onset of perimenopause. As we've said before, what you don't know can hurt you. It's important for us to understand our hearth health, the signs, and symptoms to beware of and how to maintain a stronger heart.

In this episode, Dr. Beth Abramson MD is Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto joins us to talk about women and heart health. Dr. Abramson is the Paul Albrechtsen Professor in Cardiac Prevention and Women's Health in the Division of Cardiology at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto.

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We're telling our truth in this episode and it wasn't easy! We're joined by Jowita Bydlawska, author of "Drunk Mom" to talk about women and alcohol. How do current 'mom memes' encourage us to drink and do we realize the damage we're doing to our bodies and brains?

The added downside of booze is that it adds nothing but grief to our menopause symptoms - Sleep, weight and health!

So what's the answer? Maybe a healthier relationship with our wine? Talking openly? Tune in!

If you've ever crossed your legs before a sneeze, planned your day around bathroom access, or assumed bladder leaks are simply part of getting older, this episode is for you.

Many women experience pelvic floor symptoms during midlife, including urinary leakage, pelvic pressure, discomfort, and changes in vaginal health. The problem is that these issues are often considered "normal" when they may actually be signs that your pelvic floor needs attention.

In this episode, I sit down with Kim Vopni, internationally recognized pelvic health expert, author, and founder of KegelMoji, to talk about one of the most overlooked aspects of women's health.

Together, we discuss:

• Why bladder leaks may be common but are not necessarily normal

• What your pelvic floor actually does and why it matters

• How pregnancy, childbirth, aging, and menopause affect pelvic health

• Signs your pelvic floor may need support

• Common misconceptions about Kegels and pelvic floor exercises

• Practical ways women can improve pelvic floor function and confidence

Kim shares practical, evidence informed guidance that every woman should hear, whether you're experiencing symptoms or simply want to protect your long term pelvic health.

Because understanding what's happening "down there" isn't embarrassing. It's an important part of taking care of your health.

When you're having a hot flash, memory loss or sleepless nights does it ever feel like no one is listening? You're not alone. And partly because in the past, no one WAS listening.

That might be because treating hormones can feel dangerous to doctors. Many don't have a lot of training in this area. Lack of menopausal care is a huge disservice to women but let's shed a little light as to why that might be.

We're talking to Dr. Susan Goldstein, MD CCFP FCFP NCMP is a Toronto based family physician and GP Psychotherapist with a special interest in women's health and menopause, Certified menopause practitioner and elected board member of the Canadian Menopause Society. Not only does she answer our questions and address our frustrations with the gaps in our healthcare, but Dr. Goldstein also has the inside track on studies and changes that are on the horizon and will help all of us to feel more acknowledged and taken care of.

She also shares 6 questions every woman should ask her doctor.Tune in!

Season 4 of the She2.0 podcast has sprung! In the past 3 seasons we were really focused on symptoms, treatments, and options and while we'll continue to stay on top of that, we are also going to start talking more about critical issues such as accessibility and lack of awareness and education have been huge issues for women going through this critical stage.

In our upcoming season, we're starting to work towards helping women understand that how to 'buyer beware' because we are a highly targeted market by brands and advertisers. We'll be addressing affordability and we're going to be challenging some current regulations by asking a lot of deep questions.

Some of the topics you can look forward to:

Buyer beware: Personal devices and other menopause related products. What you need to know, red flags to look for and questions you should be asking before you purchase.

Skin deep: How does our skin change through menopause and what treatments can help? Which ones are safe and which ones should you avoid?

Menopause and ethnicity: Did you know that women in different ethnicities experience menopause differently both physically and culturally? We're exploring menopause around the world.

6 questions you should be asking your doctor and your doctor should be asking you.

Inside out – getting up close and personal with your vagina (because we haven't said the word 'vagina' enough in the past 2.5 years!)

So tune in!

It's hard to believe we're going into another year. We just hope the holidays are full of family time – IRL! No more Zoom! As we recorded our final episode, we had a chance to reminisce about some of our favourite episodes from the past year. What were yours? We'd love to hear from you!

The holidays can be super stressful. Especially when your hormones are all over the place and making your mind feel like someone emptied the kitchen junk drawer on to a trampoline (we stole this from @moodswings_and_otherthings on Insta!). So, we've got some suggestions to help you keep your cool during those chaotic but festive moments! Follow us on Instagram @she2dot0 and stay tuned for a very exciting season 4 in 2022!

Happy Holidays!

Menopause can be a challenging time for most women but we're happy to see more and more options than ever when it comes to managing our health and symptoms. From hormones to herbs, vitamins, and other holistic options, we are finally being given solutions.

Prior to a few years ago, the treatment of menopause was very medical based. Our doctors were happy to write us a script for hormones, antidepressants, and sedatives. Only in the past 10 years or so have lifestyle measures and natural therapies become embraced, accepted, and utilized giving us more options based on our needs and our comfort level.

Our guest today is Sherry Torkos, a holistically oriented pharmacist, health writer and a woman in menopause. Sherry takes us through the benefits of Red Clover and how Promensil uses it to help alleviate some of the worst of our menopause symptoms.

Promensil is a safe and effective way to treat menopause symptoms. Not only does it help reduce vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness, lack of concentration, but it also helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis so commonly seen in menopausal women.

Tune in!