Bonus Episode: A Calm Menopause with Dr. Pauline Maki

Dr. Pauline Maki, Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Obstetrics & Gynecology, joins this season’s final bonus episode with host Dr. Mary Jane Minkin to talk about managing the emotional symptoms related to menopause, how to reduce stress and help have a “calm” menopause. The experts unpack how estrogen can affect brain function and mood. The conversation covers how common menopausal symptoms and experiences, including brain fog, stress, hot flashes and disturbed sleep, are related to overall mental health. Dr. Maki and Dr. Minkin also discuss disparities in women’s health and how socioeconomic status and race can affect women’s brain health in midlife. Methods to help reduce stress are detailed to give listeners actionable ways to improve their mental health.

About Dr. Pauline Maki:

Dr. Pauline Maki is Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Obstetrics & Gynecology and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Dr. Maki received her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the National Institute on Aging. For the past 25 years, she has led a program of NIH-funded research on women, cognition, mood and dementia, with a particular focus on the menopause. Dr. Maki is Past President of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), Current Trustee of the International Menopause Society, Chair of the Society for Women's Health Research Interdisciplinary Network on Alzheimer's Disease, and Immediate Past Head of the Neurocognitive Working Group of the Women's Interagency HIV Study. She won the 2018 Woman in Science Award from the American Medical Women's Association and the Thomas B. Clarkson Outstanding Clinical and Basic Science Research Award from the NAMS (Healthywomen.org).

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

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Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.

Sex psychologist Dr. Laurie Mintz joins the series host Dr. Mary Jane Minkin to discuss the joys and challenges of maintaining a healthy sex life during menopause. Dr. Mintz helps address some common questions and misconceptions around sex and menopause, talking about desire, comfort, and communication. This episode explores how women can work to reframe what sex and intimacy mean to them in midlife. Dr. Mintz believes sexual health and wellness are integral components of self-care and overall health and she provides practical information  that may help women enjoy sex during midlife. 

About Dr. Laurie Mintz:

Dr. Laurie Mintz is an author, therapist, professor, and speaker whose life’s work has been committed to helping people live more authentic, meaningful, joyful—and sexually satisfying—lives through the art and science of psychology. Dr. Mintz has published over 50 research articles in academic journals and six chapters in academic books. She has received numerous professional and teaching awards. She is the author of two popular press books—both written with the aim of empowering women sexually: Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get It (HarperOne, 2017) and A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex: Reclaim Your Desire and Reignite Your Relationship (Adams Media, 2009). For over 30 years, Dr. Mintz has also maintained a small private practice, working with both individuals and couples on general and sexual issues.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

Dr. Mintz’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauriemintz/

Dr. Mintz’s Website: https://www.drlauriemintz.com/

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Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.

In this bonus episode, host Dr. Mary Jane Minkin sits down with online strength coach Susan Niebergall to talk about fitness, particularly strength training, and how it helps support women in midlife. Susan explains ways in which strength and resistance training can help improve muscle mass and bone density and why this is particularly important for women during perimenopause and menopause. She highlights her holistic approach to fitness, “our priority should be leading a functional life for as long as we can” and shares practical guidance for women to begin implementing strength training into their fitness routine, including while at-home. Dr. Minkin and Susan also chat about their own personal fitness journeys and finding confidence in the gym in midlife.

About Susan Niebergall:

Susan is a personal trainer and online strength coach with a background of over three decades in education. She shares practical guidance, tips, and demonstrations on fitness and weight training to her sizable online audience (@susanniebergallfitness) and also offers personalized coaching plans. She is also the author of Fit At Any Age: It’s Never Too Late and hosts her own podcast, Strong and Lean at Any Age. At 62 years of age, Susan is passionate about inspiring other women in midlife to get fit, often promoting her motto: “it’s never too late.”

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

Susan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanniebergallfitness/

Susan’s Website: https://susanniebergallfitness.com/

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Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.

In the first of our new bonus episodes, host Dr. Mary Jane Minkin is joined by Registered Dietitian and Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Jenn Salib Huber to discuss diet and nutrition during the menopausal transition. Jenn shares her extensive knowledge of how diet interacts with body weight and shape, and bone and cardiovascular health. The conversation also explores the deeply complex relationship between food and women’s bodies, and how women can help heal this relationship during midlife. Jenn tells us, “We need to shift our frame of reference and move away from the idea that we should only have one body shape and size for the rest of our life.” Jenn also shares her love for food and packing her recipes with healthful ingredients that feed the soul, such as her favorite autumn go-to dinner, Tortilla Soup: 

Jenn’s Tortilla Soup Recipe: 

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp of olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 can of black beans

1 can of kidney beans

1 cup of corn kernels (canned or frozen)

2-3 chicken breasts

4 cups of chicken broth

1 can of diced tomatoes 

1.5 Tbsp of taco seasoning (1 sachet)

½ tsp of smoked paprika (optional) 

Toppings: tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos, green onion, etc. 

Directions:

1. Add olive oil to pan and sauté onions, garlic and red pepper until soft. 
2. Add chicken breasts, broth, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, black beans, kidney beans and corn to pan. 
3. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken is cooked. 
4. Shred chicken breasts with 2 forks, remove from heat and serve with toppings! 

Notes: This is a perfect soup to throw in a slow cooker on a busy day! It also freezes well, so make more and save for a busy week! If using a slow cooker, cook for 4 hours on high. 

About Dr. Jenn Salib Huber:

Jenn is a Canadian Registered Dietitian and Naturopathic Doctor with a mission to help women thrive in midlife. With over 20 years of experience in the field of health and nutrition, she educates and inspires women to be informed about food choices, harness the practice of intuitive eating, and regain confidence throughout the menopausal transition. Jenn arms her audience with information through her platform on Instagram (@menopause.nutritionist) and her podcast (The Midlife Feast). 

Disclaimer:

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

Jenn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menopause.nutritionist/

Jenn’s Website: https://www.jennsalibhuber.ca/

_______________

Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.

In this episode Susan shares her pragmatic approach to menopause and how she deals with night sweats and a lack of sleep and the impact of these on her mood, her family and her job through talking and laughter. 

Susan is a great advocate for finding comfort in knowing you aren’t the only one, in finding your ‘tribe’ and speaking out. “I really find that the friends are extremely supportive, and it's funny because we almost laugh about it...I feel part of a group, not necessarily part of a group that I'm looking to be in, but I'm lucky to be in a group of women that are forthright about it and can laugh about it.”

Susan’s friendships and her willingness to be open-minded with her doctor have made a big difference to her menopause experience, so if you don’t have a group of friends who are able to support you in menopause, speak to your healthcare provider or there are several online menopause communities supporting women virtually. 

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Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.

In this episode we hear from Barbara, who has dealt with symptoms shared by many women, namely hot flushes, night sweats, and heart health issues, that occur all too frequently as we get older. She found a lack of opportunities to talk about menopause and build a support network meant she had to deal with another common issue: isolation. 

Barbara managed her symptoms on her own for over 10 years before seeking help, So many women could have less isolating menopause experiences if they spoke openly about their symptoms and the impact on their lives. I hope Barbara inspires you to speak up and find a friendly listening ear. 

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Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.

E2: Mary Beth’s Story

In this episode, Mary Beth reflects on how family attitudes and her experiences growing up and going through puberty have impacted her own mid-life journey. 

Mary Beth discusses the defining symptoms of her menopause (heavy periods, and bone loss) and how they led her to change her career, becoming a yoga teacher and nutritional coach to help other women with osteopenia and osteoporosis. “The women in my practice will often report to me that they had no idea that their bones were going to be affected by menopause. I think that's a huge black hole here that we need to address.”

I hope Mary Beth’s story inspires you to take good care of yourself and your bones as well as the relationships that strengthen and support you.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

https://www.pfizer.com/news/podcasts#menopause-resources

https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/menopause-preparedness-fact-sheet/

https://www.menopausecafe.net/

https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/menopause-preparedness-toolkit-a-womans-empowerment-guide/

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Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.

E1: Marilyn’s Story

In this episode, Marilyn’s story explores the power of family relationships and self-care in supporting a positive menopause. 

Marilyn shares her experiences of how open communication within her family de-mystified menstruation and menopause right from the time of puberty. Conversations with her female relatives gave her strength and guided her to approach perimenopause, along with overall wellbeing and self-care, with a positive attitude. Remember, menopause is a new phase of life: you haven’t been there before, so isn’t it great to have trusted family and friends who can share with you their experiences. You don’t have to do this alone. 

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

https://www.pfizer.com/news/podcasts#menopause-resources

https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/menopause-preparedness-fact-sheet/

https://www.menopausecafe.net/

https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/menopause-preparedness-toolkit-a-womans-empowerment-guide/

_______________

Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.

The final episode of Season 2 brings different healthcare professional perspectives on menopause. Series host, Dr Mary Jane Minkin, is joined by women's health nurse practitioner, Dr Shelagh Larson, and behavioural psychologist, Dr Sheryl Kingsberg. In a lively conversation, the three women’s health experts delve deeper into the breadth of symptoms and experiences shared by the women in Season 2, normalizing and contextualizing all the while encouraging women to speak up about their symptoms. 

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links

• https://www.menopauseunmuted.com
• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

_______________

Women's Health is your destination for compelling, stand-out series that touch on all aspects of women's health. While each series may focus on a different topic, they're united in their commitment to candid conversations that destigmatize women's health issues and highlight real life people. Learn more about each series below:

• menopause: unmuted is honest, hopeful, life-affirming, and features real women talking candidly about their menopause, and its impact on relationships, friends, family, and work. Each episode shares deeply personal accounts of the different emotional and physical symptoms experienced. Our host, leading women’s health expert Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, provides an expert perspective, busting myths and offering evidence-based information.
• Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly.

These podcasts are not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. This podcast feed is powered by Pfizer.