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The 'Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver - The unPaused Podcast

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Listen to Audacy | Mary Claire Haver, MD's unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver podcast with Dr. Mary Claire Haver on Apple Podcasts.
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Published 2025-12-23

Leaving Her Dream Job for Menopause Advocacy: Tamsen Fadal on HRT & Purpose After 50

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What happens when a news anchor loses her words on live television and discovers it's not stress, but menopause? Emmy Award-winning journalist Tamsen Fadal joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver to share why she walked away from her dream job in pursuit of changing the conversation around women's health, the powerful story behind her New York Times bestselling book How to Menopause, and her groundbreaking PBS documentary The M Factor.

Tamsen spent 30 years in broadcast journalism without saying the word "menopause" on air—not once. Then perimenopause hit. Brain fog made her skip words on the teleprompter. A hot flash so severe during a live newscast left her sweating and pale, eventually forcing her off the set entirely. Despite erratic bleeding, insomnia, and mounting symptoms, doctor after doctor missed the diagnosis.

But once she understood what was happening, she couldn't stop talking about it. She co-produced The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause with three other women, self-funding the documentary after she was told there was no audience. The trailer went viral. PBS picked it up. Over 1,000 community screenings followed in 43 countries.

Dr. Haver and Tamsen reflect on their first meeting at a menopause conference, the moment they both realized how little training doctors receive, and why this work feels like a calling.

Guest links:

Books:

Articles:

Other Resources:

More description

What happens when a news anchor loses her words on live television and discovers it's not stress, but menopause? Emmy Award-winning journalist Tamsen Fadal joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver to share why she walked away from her dream job in pursuit of changing the conversation around women's health, the powerful story behind her New York Times bestselling book How to Menopause, and her groundbreaking PBS documentary The M Factor.

Tamsen spent 30 years in broadcast journalism without saying the word "menopause" on air—not once. Then perimenopause hit. Brain fog made her skip words on the teleprompter. A hot flash so severe during a live newscast left her sweating and pale, eventually forcing her off the set entirely. Despite erratic bleeding, insomnia, and mounting symptoms, doctor after doctor missed the diagnosis.

But once she understood what was happening, she couldn't stop talking about it. She co-produced The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause with three other women, self-funding the documentary after she was told there was no audience. The trailer went viral. PBS picked it up. Over 1,000 community screenings followed in 43 countries.

Dr. Haver and Tamsen reflect on their first meeting at a menopause conference, the moment they both realized how little training doctors receive, and why this work feels like a calling.

Guest links:

Books:

Articles:

Other Resources:

Extract Knowledge
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Published 2025-12-18

Orgasm After Menopause: Vibrators, Testosterone & Solutions with Dr. Lauren Streicher (Pt. 2)

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In our last episode of unPAUSED, we began a conversation with Dr. Lauren Streicher about orgasm, sexual function, and why these topics are still so taboo. Because there was so much to talk about, we decided to make this a two-part episode. So today, Dr. Mary Claire Haver continues this conversation. 

Dr. Streicher is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the host of Dr. Streicher's Inside Information Podcast, and the creator of Come Again, a 30-episode audio series on sexuality and sexual function. She's been at the forefront of sexual medicine for decades, pushing conversations forward that most clinicians still avoid.

In this episode, we're diving into why vibrators work when nothing else does and what the research shows about vibration versus other types of stimulation. Dr. Streicher explains non-hormonal arousal creams, CBD oil for the clitoris, and whether these products actually help. We discuss the role of neurotransmitters in orgasm and walk through the FDA-approved libido drugs Addyi and Vyleesi, including why testosterone is often the preferred option for women and why pellets are problematic. Dr. Streicher breaks down the orgasm gap between men and women and explains why it actually narrows with age. She walks us through her clinical approach when a patient comes in struggling with orgasm, why pain must always be addressed first, and how to find a sexual medicine expert. We also talk about what gives her hope for the future of this field and why not every woman needs to have an orgasm for sex to be pleasurable and successful.

Guest links:

Books:

    Subscribe to COME AGAIN: Sexuality and Orgasm DrStreicher.com/comeagain         
    Use code UNPAUSED20 for 20% off (This code expires Dec 23)

    Gyne Hacks! (Including how to How to Get a Hands-free Free Vulvar View)

    Other Resources:

    Articles:

    More description

    In our last episode of unPAUSED, we began a conversation with Dr. Lauren Streicher about orgasm, sexual function, and why these topics are still so taboo. Because there was so much to talk about, we decided to make this a two-part episode. So today, Dr. Mary Claire Haver continues this conversation. 

    Dr. Streicher is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the host of Dr. Streicher's Inside Information Podcast, and the creator of Come Again, a 30-episode audio series on sexuality and sexual function. She's been at the forefront of sexual medicine for decades, pushing conversations forward that most clinicians still avoid.

    In this episode, we're diving into why vibrators work when nothing else does and what the research shows about vibration versus other types of stimulation. Dr. Streicher explains non-hormonal arousal creams, CBD oil for the clitoris, and whether these products actually help. We discuss the role of neurotransmitters in orgasm and walk through the FDA-approved libido drugs Addyi and Vyleesi, including why testosterone is often the preferred option for women and why pellets are problematic. Dr. Streicher breaks down the orgasm gap between men and women and explains why it actually narrows with age. She walks us through her clinical approach when a patient comes in struggling with orgasm, why pain must always be addressed first, and how to find a sexual medicine expert. We also talk about what gives her hope for the future of this field and why not every woman needs to have an orgasm for sex to be pleasurable and successful.

    Guest links:

    Books:

      Subscribe to COME AGAIN: Sexuality and Orgasm DrStreicher.com/comeagain         
      Use code UNPAUSED20 for 20% off (This code expires Dec 23)

      Gyne Hacks! (Including how to How to Get a Hands-free Free Vulvar View)

      Other Resources:

      Articles:

      Extract Knowledge
      Listen elsewhere
      Web Apple YouTube
      Published 2025-12-16

      Where Did My Orgasm Go? Menopause, SSRIs, and the Science of Pleasure with Dr. Lauren Streicher

      Transcript
      View

      What happens to your orgasm after menopause? It's something that nearly half of women experience during midlife, but so few are talking about it. In this episode of unPAUSED, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with Dr. Lauren Streicher to discuss exactly what changes to orgasm, libido, and sex, why it happens, and what you need to know if you're struggling.

      Dr. Streicher is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the host of Dr. Streicher's Inside Information Podcast, and the creator of Come Again, a 30-episode audio series on sexuality and sexual function. She's a senior researcher at the Kinsey Institute and one of the true pioneers of sexual medicine, helping to define and legitimize a specialty that for decades simply didn't exist.

      Dr. Haver and Dr. Streicher start with the basics: what an orgasm actually is, the anatomy of the clitoris, and why most women cannot have an orgasm from penetrative sex alone. Dr. Streicher explains vaginal orgasms, cervical orgasms, the G spot, and the historical research of Princess Marie Bonaparte, who measured the distance between the clitoris and vaginal opening in 240 women in an effort to understand why she couldn't orgasm during intercourse. They discuss what happens to orgasm and sex post menopause, including the role of blood flow, nerve health, clitoral atrophy, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and medications, especially SSRIs that can affect both libido and orgasm. Dr. Streicher walks through how genitourinary syndrome of menopause affects the clitoris, why the pelvic floor matters for orgasm, and why so many women have never even seen their own anatomy. They also talk about anorgasmia, the inability to have an orgasm, both primary and acquired, and why this is almost never discussed in medical training.

      Guest links:

      Books:

      Subscribe to COME AGAIN: Sexuality and Orgasm DrStreicher.com/comeagain         
      Use code UNPAUSED20 for 20% off (This code expires Dec 23)

      Gyne Hacks! (Including how to How to Get a Hands-free Free Vulvar View)

      Other Resources:

      Articles:

      More description

      What happens to your orgasm after menopause? It's something that nearly half of women experience during midlife, but so few are talking about it. In this episode of unPAUSED, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with Dr. Lauren Streicher to discuss exactly what changes to orgasm, libido, and sex, why it happens, and what you need to know if you're struggling.

      Dr. Streicher is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the host of Dr. Streicher's Inside Information Podcast, and the creator of Come Again, a 30-episode audio series on sexuality and sexual function. She's a senior researcher at the Kinsey Institute and one of the true pioneers of sexual medicine, helping to define and legitimize a specialty that for decades simply didn't exist.

      Dr. Haver and Dr. Streicher start with the basics: what an orgasm actually is, the anatomy of the clitoris, and why most women cannot have an orgasm from penetrative sex alone. Dr. Streicher explains vaginal orgasms, cervical orgasms, the G spot, and the historical research of Princess Marie Bonaparte, who measured the distance between the clitoris and vaginal opening in 240 women in an effort to understand why she couldn't orgasm during intercourse. They discuss what happens to orgasm and sex post menopause, including the role of blood flow, nerve health, clitoral atrophy, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and medications, especially SSRIs that can affect both libido and orgasm. Dr. Streicher walks through how genitourinary syndrome of menopause affects the clitoris, why the pelvic floor matters for orgasm, and why so many women have never even seen their own anatomy. They also talk about anorgasmia, the inability to have an orgasm, both primary and acquired, and why this is almost never discussed in medical training.

      Guest links:

      Books:

      Subscribe to COME AGAIN: Sexuality and Orgasm DrStreicher.com/comeagain         
      Use code UNPAUSED20 for 20% off (This code expires Dec 23)

      Gyne Hacks! (Including how to How to Get a Hands-free Free Vulvar View)

      Other Resources:

      Articles:

      Extract Knowledge
      Listen elsewhere
      Web Apple YouTube
      Published 2025-12-09

      Menopause, Misogyny and the Medical System: Dr Sharon Malone Sets the Record Straight

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      Dr. Sharon Malone has spent decades fighting for women to get the healthcare they deserve, and she's not slowing down. As Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Women's Health, host of "The Second Opinion" podcast, and author of the New York Times bestseller "Grown Woman Talk," Dr. Malone joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver in this episode to talk about reshaping how we think about menopause, aging, and women's health advocacy.

      For too long, women have been told to accept suffering as normal. Hot flashes, brain fog, joint pain, sleep problems, the complete unraveling of quality of life during perimenopause and menopause? Dr. Malone talks about being done with that narrative. In this conversation, she explains how the medical system has systematically failed women, from keeping them out of research studies to applying male-centric data to female bodies, from dismissing their menopause symptoms to perpetuating dangerous myths about estrogen and hormone therapy that have left an entire generation undertreated.

      She breaks down the Women's Health Initiative, the deeply flawed study that scared women away from hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She explains exactly what went wrong, why the study enrolled women who were too old to answer the questions it claimed to address, and why doctors are still getting it wrong today, decades after the original findings were walked back. The cost? A generation of women suffering unnecessarily while billions in research dollars went elsewhere.

      Dr. Malone also tackles the intersection of gender and racial bias in medicine, explaining why your zip code matters more than your genetic code when it comes to health outcomes. From her own journey navigating medical school as a Black woman in the 1980s to losing her mother to cancer at just 12, she points out the healthcare disparities from both sides of the exam table.

      At 66, Dr. Malone is proof that midlife isn't about decline. It's about stepping into your power. And she shares a clear message that women have accepted suffering for far too long, and it's time to demand better.

      Guest links:

      Books:

      Articles:

      Other Resources:

      More description

      Dr. Sharon Malone has spent decades fighting for women to get the healthcare they deserve, and she's not slowing down. As Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Women's Health, host of "The Second Opinion" podcast, and author of the New York Times bestseller "Grown Woman Talk," Dr. Malone joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver in this episode to talk about reshaping how we think about menopause, aging, and women's health advocacy.

      For too long, women have been told to accept suffering as normal. Hot flashes, brain fog, joint pain, sleep problems, the complete unraveling of quality of life during perimenopause and menopause? Dr. Malone talks about being done with that narrative. In this conversation, she explains how the medical system has systematically failed women, from keeping them out of research studies to applying male-centric data to female bodies, from dismissing their menopause symptoms to perpetuating dangerous myths about estrogen and hormone therapy that have left an entire generation undertreated.

      She breaks down the Women's Health Initiative, the deeply flawed study that scared women away from hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She explains exactly what went wrong, why the study enrolled women who were too old to answer the questions it claimed to address, and why doctors are still getting it wrong today, decades after the original findings were walked back. The cost? A generation of women suffering unnecessarily while billions in research dollars went elsewhere.

      Dr. Malone also tackles the intersection of gender and racial bias in medicine, explaining why your zip code matters more than your genetic code when it comes to health outcomes. From her own journey navigating medical school as a Black woman in the 1980s to losing her mother to cancer at just 12, she points out the healthcare disparities from both sides of the exam table.

      At 66, Dr. Malone is proof that midlife isn't about decline. It's about stepping into your power. And she shares a clear message that women have accepted suffering for far too long, and it's time to demand better.

      Guest links:

      Books:

      Articles:

      Other Resources:

      Extract Knowledge
      Listen elsewhere
      Web Apple YouTube
      Published 2025-12-02

      Can't Take Estrogen? Dr. Corinne Menn on Who Can, Who Can't & What's Changed

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      In this episode, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with Dr. corinne Menn to tackle one of the most common questions in women's health: "Can I take estrogen?" As a board-certified OB-GYN, certified menopause practitioner, and 24-year breast cancer survivor, Dr. Menn brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this conversation about who can take hormone therapy, who can't, and what's changed in recent years.

      Dr. Menn's own story provides powerful context for this discussion. At just 28 years old, during her second year of medical residency, she discovered a lump in her breast just one week before learning her mother had recurrent ovarian cancer. Within days of her mother's sudden death, Dr. Menn received her own devastating diagnosis: breast cancer. What followed was a grueling journey through mastectomy, chemotherapy, and induced menopause while simultaneously completing one of medicine's most demanding training programs.

      Throughout this conversation, Dr. Menn shares the profound gaps in survivorship care that she experienced firsthand and continues to witness in her patients today. The medical system, she explains, is focused on treating cancer but often fails to prepare women for the marathon of side effects that follow, particularly the devastating impact of estrogen deprivation on sexual health, mental health, bone density, and cardiovascular risk.

      Guest links:

      Recommended Books:

      Articles:

      Other Resources:

      More description

      In this episode, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with Dr. corinne Menn to tackle one of the most common questions in women's health: "Can I take estrogen?" As a board-certified OB-GYN, certified menopause practitioner, and 24-year breast cancer survivor, Dr. Menn brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this conversation about who can take hormone therapy, who can't, and what's changed in recent years.

      Dr. Menn's own story provides powerful context for this discussion. At just 28 years old, during her second year of medical residency, she discovered a lump in her breast just one week before learning her mother had recurrent ovarian cancer. Within days of her mother's sudden death, Dr. Menn received her own devastating diagnosis: breast cancer. What followed was a grueling journey through mastectomy, chemotherapy, and induced menopause while simultaneously completing one of medicine's most demanding training programs.

      Throughout this conversation, Dr. Menn shares the profound gaps in survivorship care that she experienced firsthand and continues to witness in her patients today. The medical system, she explains, is focused on treating cancer but often fails to prepare women for the marathon of side effects that follow, particularly the devastating impact of estrogen deprivation on sexual health, mental health, bone density, and cardiovascular risk.

      Guest links:

      Recommended Books:

      Articles:

      Other Resources:

      Extract Knowledge
      Listen elsewhere
      Web Apple YouTube
      Published 2025-11-25

      Still Bobbi: Bobbi Brown on Reinvention, Midlife Entrepreneurship & Finding Purpose After 60

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      What does it look like to begin again at 62 and thrive? Beauty industry pioneer Bobbi Brown joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver for an intimate conversation about her new memoir, Still Bobbi, building Jones Road Beauty in her sixties, leaving behind the company that bore her name for 25 years, and redefining what success, purpose, and aging mean in the second half of life.

      Bobbi Brown revolutionized the beauty industry with her "no makeup makeup" philosophy in the 1990s, sold her company to Estée Lauder, and spent decades as creative director before exiting in her late fifties. But instead of retiring, she launched Jones Road Beauty at 62 during a pandemic, proving that passion and entrepreneurship don't disappear with age; they evolve. In this personal conversation, Bobbi shares her journey from Chicago to building a global beauty empire, the emotional reality of leaving the company with her name on it, and why she refuses to use the term "anti-aging." She opens up about growing up with a mother who struggled with mental illness, losing her brother to HIV, and how weighted vest training and strength over skinny became her midlife mantras.

      Dr. Haver and Bobbi connect over shared experiences of menopause, hormone therapy, and the relentless pressure of being a founder. They discuss what it means to perform when exhausted, learning to say no, and why the maintenance phase of any transformation, whether weight loss or career pivot, is often the hardest part.

      Bobbi's memoir, Still Bobbi, is a story of resilience, grit, and determination for anyone who thought their best work was behind them.

      Guest links:

      Books

      Articles

      Other Resources

      More description

      What does it look like to begin again at 62 and thrive? Beauty industry pioneer Bobbi Brown joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver for an intimate conversation about her new memoir, Still Bobbi, building Jones Road Beauty in her sixties, leaving behind the company that bore her name for 25 years, and redefining what success, purpose, and aging mean in the second half of life.

      Bobbi Brown revolutionized the beauty industry with her "no makeup makeup" philosophy in the 1990s, sold her company to Estée Lauder, and spent decades as creative director before exiting in her late fifties. But instead of retiring, she launched Jones Road Beauty at 62 during a pandemic, proving that passion and entrepreneurship don't disappear with age; they evolve. In this personal conversation, Bobbi shares her journey from Chicago to building a global beauty empire, the emotional reality of leaving the company with her name on it, and why she refuses to use the term "anti-aging." She opens up about growing up with a mother who struggled with mental illness, losing her brother to HIV, and how weighted vest training and strength over skinny became her midlife mantras.

      Dr. Haver and Bobbi connect over shared experiences of menopause, hormone therapy, and the relentless pressure of being a founder. They discuss what it means to perform when exhausted, learning to say no, and why the maintenance phase of any transformation, whether weight loss or career pivot, is often the hardest part.

      Bobbi's memoir, Still Bobbi, is a story of resilience, grit, and determination for anyone who thought their best work was behind them.

      Guest links:

      Books

      Articles

      Other Resources

      Extract Knowledge
      Listen elsewhere
      Web Apple YouTube
      Published 2025-11-18

      GLP-1s and Midlife Metabolism Part 2: Dr. Rocio Salas Whalen Breaks Down the Science of Weight Loss and Menopause

      View

      What happens after you lose the weight? Few are focused on this important question about GLP-1 medications. In Part 2 of this conversation on GLP-1s and Midlife Metabolism, triple board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen continues her discussion with Dr. Mary Claire Haver, going deeper into what happens after weight loss, including the physical and emotional changes no one prepares you for, and what the future of these medications looks like.

      Dr. Salas-Whalen, founder of New York Endocrinology and author of the upcoming book Weightless, tackles the questions women are actually asking: How do I know if I'm getting good care? What about compounding pharmacies? Will I need therapy? And what comes next in obesity medication?

      The conversation addresses the psychological shifts that happen when you reach your goal weight for the first time in your life. Dr. Salas-Whalen shares what she's learned from following patients long-term and why the maintenance phase is actually the most important part of treatment.

      Dr. Salas-Whalen also addresses the cost and accessibility crisis around Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, the environmental impact of single-use injection pens, and why direct-from-manufacturer vials (like Eli Lilly's Zepbound vials) are making treatment more affordable. She shares her standard of care for obesity treatment and explains exactly what questions to ask before starting GLP-1 therapy.

      For women experiencing perimenopause and menopause weight gain, this episode provides useful information about what to expect beyond initial weight loss, how to maintain results long-term, and why proper medical supervision with body composition monitoring is essential for protecting muscle mass and metabolic health.

      Guest links:

      Books:

      This episode covers:

      • The emotional reality of rapid weight loss and body image adaptation after GLP-1 treatment
      • Why some patients need mental health support alongside GLP-1 medications
      • How weight loss affects relationships and marriages as well as the "Ozempic divorce" phenomenon
      • The truth about compounding pharmacies: safety concerns, FDA regulations, and red flags to watch for
      • Why GLP-1 medications combined with menopause hormone therapy show superior weight loss results
      • Green flags and red flags when choosing a provider for GLP-1 treatment
      • The future of obesity medication: triple incretin drugs (retatrutide), oral GLP-1 options, and monthly injections
      • Protein requirements to preserve muscle mass during weight loss: why 100 grams daily matters
      • Physical changes after significant weight loss: cold intolerance, excess skin, and medical considerations
      • How to support a loved one on GLP-1 medications without triggering guilt or shame
      • Who should NOT take GLP-1 medications: contraindications and safety considerations
      • Finding an obesity medicine specialist: how to locate qualified providers

      Articles:

      Other Resources:

      More description

      What happens after you lose the weight? Few are focused on this important question about GLP-1 medications. In Part 2 of this conversation on GLP-1s and Midlife Metabolism, triple board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen continues her discussion with Dr. Mary Claire Haver, going deeper into what happens after weight loss, including the physical and emotional changes no one prepares you for, and what the future of these medications looks like.

      Dr. Salas-Whalen, founder of New York Endocrinology and author of the upcoming book Weightless, tackles the questions women are actually asking: How do I know if I'm getting good care? What about compounding pharmacies? Will I need therapy? And what comes next in obesity medication?

      The conversation addresses the psychological shifts that happen when you reach your goal weight for the first time in your life. Dr. Salas-Whalen shares what she's learned from following patients long-term and why the maintenance phase is actually the most important part of treatment.

      Dr. Salas-Whalen also addresses the cost and accessibility crisis around Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, the environmental impact of single-use injection pens, and why direct-from-manufacturer vials (like Eli Lilly's Zepbound vials) are making treatment more affordable. She shares her standard of care for obesity treatment and explains exactly what questions to ask before starting GLP-1 therapy.

      For women experiencing perimenopause and menopause weight gain, this episode provides useful information about what to expect beyond initial weight loss, how to maintain results long-term, and why proper medical supervision with body composition monitoring is essential for protecting muscle mass and metabolic health.

      Guest links:

      Books:

      This episode covers:

      • The emotional reality of rapid weight loss and body image adaptation after GLP-1 treatment
      • Why some patients need mental health support alongside GLP-1 medications
      • How weight loss affects relationships and marriages as well as the "Ozempic divorce" phenomenon
      • The truth about compounding pharmacies: safety concerns, FDA regulations, and red flags to watch for
      • Why GLP-1 medications combined with menopause hormone therapy show superior weight loss results
      • Green flags and red flags when choosing a provider for GLP-1 treatment
      • The future of obesity medication: triple incretin drugs (retatrutide), oral GLP-1 options, and monthly injections
      • Protein requirements to preserve muscle mass during weight loss: why 100 grams daily matters
      • Physical changes after significant weight loss: cold intolerance, excess skin, and medical considerations
      • How to support a loved one on GLP-1 medications without triggering guilt or shame
      • Who should NOT take GLP-1 medications: contraindications and safety considerations
      • Finding an obesity medicine specialist: how to locate qualified providers

      Articles:

      Other Resources:

      Extract Knowledge
      Listen elsewhere
      Web Apple YouTube
      Published 2025-11-11

      GLP-1s and Midlife Metabolism: Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen Breaks Down the Science of Weight Loss and Menopause: Part 1

      View

      Are GLP-1 medications a game-changer for women in midlife—or just another quick fix? In this conversation, triple board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver to cut through the hype and share what women really need to know about Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and the science behind sustainable weight loss.

      Dr. Salas-Whalen, founder of New York Endocrinology and author of the upcoming book Weightless, explains why GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a fundamental shift in how we understand and treat obesity—not as a willpower problem, but as a chronic medical condition with biological drivers including hormones, genetics, and metabolism.

      For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, the conversation gets even more specific. Dr. Salas-Whalen breaks down why estrogen decline drives fat redistribution to the abdomen, increases visceral fat, and makes it nearly impossible to lose weight using the same strategies that worked before. She reveals how GLP-1 medications can address the metabolic changes of midlife while protecting what matters most: muscle mass.

      This episode covers:

      • How GLP-1 medications work: mimicking gut hormones to regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism
      • Why 80% of women experience unexplained weight gain during perimenopause and menopause
      • The difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat—and why it matters for heart health
      • Dr. Salas-Whalen's GPS protocol: GLP-1 + Protein + Strength training to prevent muscle loss
      • Why body composition matters more than BMI or the number on the scale
      • How much muscle loss is acceptable during weight loss (and how to minimize it)
      • The truth about "Ozempic face"
      • Who should consider GLP-1 medications—and who shouldn't
      • Common side effects, how to manage them, and what proper medical supervision looks like
      • Why these medications may need to be long-term treatment for chronic obesity

      Dr. Salas-Whalen shares her clinical experience treating thousands of patients and addresses the viral misinformation circulating online. She explains why obesity is a transgenerational disease influenced by genetics, environment, food accessibility, and even childhood trauma—not personal failure.

      Guest links:

      Articles

      Other Resources

      Books

      More description

      Are GLP-1 medications a game-changer for women in midlife—or just another quick fix? In this conversation, triple board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver to cut through the hype and share what women really need to know about Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and the science behind sustainable weight loss.

      Dr. Salas-Whalen, founder of New York Endocrinology and author of the upcoming book Weightless, explains why GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a fundamental shift in how we understand and treat obesity—not as a willpower problem, but as a chronic medical condition with biological drivers including hormones, genetics, and metabolism.

      For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, the conversation gets even more specific. Dr. Salas-Whalen breaks down why estrogen decline drives fat redistribution to the abdomen, increases visceral fat, and makes it nearly impossible to lose weight using the same strategies that worked before. She reveals how GLP-1 medications can address the metabolic changes of midlife while protecting what matters most: muscle mass.

      This episode covers:

      • How GLP-1 medications work: mimicking gut hormones to regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism
      • Why 80% of women experience unexplained weight gain during perimenopause and menopause
      • The difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat—and why it matters for heart health
      • Dr. Salas-Whalen's GPS protocol: GLP-1 + Protein + Strength training to prevent muscle loss
      • Why body composition matters more than BMI or the number on the scale
      • How much muscle loss is acceptable during weight loss (and how to minimize it)
      • The truth about "Ozempic face"
      • Who should consider GLP-1 medications—and who shouldn't
      • Common side effects, how to manage them, and what proper medical supervision looks like
      • Why these medications may need to be long-term treatment for chronic obesity

      Dr. Salas-Whalen shares her clinical experience treating thousands of patients and addresses the viral misinformation circulating online. She explains why obesity is a transgenerational disease influenced by genetics, environment, food accessibility, and even childhood trauma—not personal failure.

      Guest links:

      Articles

      Other Resources

      Books

      Extract Knowledge
      Listen elsewhere
      Web Apple
      Published 2025-11-04

      Build Strength, Live Longer: The Menopause Longevity Blueprint with Dr. Vonda Wright

      Transcript
      View

      What if weak bones and muscle loss aren't just "normal aging" but the result of decades of misinformation? In this episode, double board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver to shatter the myth that frailty, fractures, and decline are inevitable for women in midlife.

      Dr. Wright explains why women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in just five years after menopause—and more importantly, what we can do to prevent it. She reveals how stress, inadequate nutrition, and neglecting strength training and hormonal health create the very outcomes we've been taught to accept as unavoidable.

      From the "musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause" that affects 70-80% of women (yet most doctors never discuss) to the science of building bones through strategic lifting, Dr. Wright provides the blueprint for aging with power instead of resignation.

      This episode also covers:

      • Why your bones are master communicators affecting your brain, metabolism, and more
      • The real story behind frozen shoulder and why it happens to women in perimenopause
      • How to lift weights for longevity
      • Why many women are diagnosed with osteoporosis only after they break something, when it's already too late
      • How estrogen loss drives chronic inflammation
      • Why nutrition, specifically foods that are rich in calcium, are better than calcium supplements to help strengthen bones

      Dr. Wright also shares her personal journey through perimenopause as an athlete and surgeon, and why she wrote her latest New York Times bestselling book Unbreakable.

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      What if weak bones and muscle loss aren't just "normal aging" but the result of decades of misinformation? In this episode, double board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver to shatter the myth that frailty, fractures, and decline are inevitable for women in midlife.

      Dr. Wright explains why women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in just five years after menopause—and more importantly, what we can do to prevent it. She reveals how stress, inadequate nutrition, and neglecting strength training and hormonal health create the very outcomes we've been taught to accept as unavoidable.

      From the "musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause" that affects 70-80% of women (yet most doctors never discuss) to the science of building bones through strategic lifting, Dr. Wright provides the blueprint for aging with power instead of resignation.

      This episode also covers:

      • Why your bones are master communicators affecting your brain, metabolism, and more
      • The real story behind frozen shoulder and why it happens to women in perimenopause
      • How to lift weights for longevity
      • Why many women are diagnosed with osteoporosis only after they break something, when it's already too late
      • How estrogen loss drives chronic inflammation
      • Why nutrition, specifically foods that are rich in calcium, are better than calcium supplements to help strengthen bones

      Dr. Wright also shares her personal journey through perimenopause as an athlete and surgeon, and why she wrote her latest New York Times bestselling book Unbreakable.

      Guest links:

      Articles

      Other Resources

      Books

       

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      Published 2025-10-28

      Menopause and Heart Disease: What Every Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Jayne Morgan

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      What if your hot flashes are actually warning signs about your cardiovascular health? Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with research cardiologist Dr. Jayne Morgan to talk about the intersection of menopause and heart disease. Dr. Morgan explains why women present with different heart attack symptoms than men, how menopause accelerates cardiovascular risk, and why the medical system still isn't recognizing the connection. You'll learn what hot flashes reveal about stroke and heart disease risk, how arterial stiffening and blood pressure changes happen during the menopause transition, and why hormone therapy started early may be protective for your heart. Dr. Morgan shares which lab tests women should be getting, when to start screening for cardiovascular disease, and what lifestyle changes actually make a difference. She also discusses the role of statins, GLP-1s, and why research done primarily on men has led to treatments that may harm women. This conversation covers what every woman needs to know about protecting her heart through midlife and beyond.

      Guest links:

      Articles

      Other Resources

      More description

      What if your hot flashes are actually warning signs about your cardiovascular health? Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with research cardiologist Dr. Jayne Morgan to talk about the intersection of menopause and heart disease. Dr. Morgan explains why women present with different heart attack symptoms than men, how menopause accelerates cardiovascular risk, and why the medical system still isn't recognizing the connection. You'll learn what hot flashes reveal about stroke and heart disease risk, how arterial stiffening and blood pressure changes happen during the menopause transition, and why hormone therapy started early may be protective for your heart. Dr. Morgan shares which lab tests women should be getting, when to start screening for cardiovascular disease, and what lifestyle changes actually make a difference. She also discusses the role of statins, GLP-1s, and why research done primarily on men has led to treatments that may harm women. This conversation covers what every woman needs to know about protecting her heart through midlife and beyond.

      Guest links:

      Articles

      Other Resources

      Extract Knowledge
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