Speaking of Women's Health
The Speaking of Women's Health Podcast is excited to bring you credible women's health information from host and Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker. Dr. Thacker will interview guest clinicians discussing relevant women's health topics and the latest news and tips.Please consider supporting Speaking of Women's Health with a monetary donation to help us continue to provide free women's health content. Thank you!
How to avoid the parasite Cryptosporidiosis and the "explosive" symptoms
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Explosive watery diarrhea is not just “something you ate” and during a national outbreak, it’s worth knowing the real culprit. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker walks you through cryptosporidiosis, a waterborne and foodborne illness caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium that can hit hard, spread quietly, and ruin a summer week fast.
She gets practical about what works and what doesn’t. Vinegar rinses and baking soda washes can help remove dirt and some contaminants, but they do not reliably kill this parasite. The most dependable kill step for...
The truth about peptides for weight loss and recovery
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Peptides are suddenly the hottest word in weight loss clinics, gyms, and wellness circles, but most people are hearing the hype without the definitions, the evidence, or the safety guardrails. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD sits down with Layth Tumah, MD, a Cleveland Clinic physician board certified in family medicine, obesity medicine, lifestyle medicine, and trained in functional medicine, to explain what peptides actually are: short chains of amino acids that act as powerful signals in the body, sometimes in ways that look a lot like hormones.
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A July 4th reset for metabolism and weight loss
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Freedom is not just a political idea, it’s also the ability to move through your day with energy, confidence, and choices that are not dictated by symptoms or chronic disease. We connect America’s 250th anniversary theme of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to a very current women’s health reality: the obesity epidemic and the frustration many midlife women feel when weight changes collide with hot flashes, sleep loss, and brain fog.
We break down common myths around menopause and weight, including the claim that menopausal hormone therapy ca...
Reduce Pelvic Pain Without More Suffering
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Pelvic pain can steal your attention, your sleep, your relationships, and your confidence, especially when you keep hearing “everything looks normal.” Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with minimally invasive surgeon and chronic pelvic pain expert Ashley Gubbels, MD to talk about what’s often missed: pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic neuropathies, and a nervous system that can get stuck in protective overdrive.
They discuss the basics of finding the right pelvic floor physical therapist and why the details matter. If you’ve ever been told to “just do Ke...
Alpha-gal alert: Summer safety tips with a deep dive on tick-borne illness
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One tiny tick can change what you can safely eat for years, and sometimes the reaction doesn’t show up until hours after dinner. From the Speaking of Women's Health Sunflower House, host Dr. Holly Thacker walks through summer health essentials, then goes deep on tick-borne illness and the fast-growing concern of alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that can follow a bite from the lone star tick and other species.
She covers the practical stuff first: hydration and heat safety, UV protection for skin and eyes, smart ways to keep ex...
Chronic Pelvic Pain Is A Nervous System Problem As Much As A Pelvic One
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Pain that lingers for months doesn’t deserve a shrug or a “you’re still healing.” Chronic pelvic pain can be life-altering, and the hardest part for many people is not just the symptoms, but the confusion, the misdiagnoses, and the feeling of being bounced from office to office without anyone putting the full puzzle together.
Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Ashley Gubbels, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN and internationally recognized expert in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and pelvic pain management, to define what chronic pelvic p...
Pelvic Floor Therapy Starts With The Right Diagnosis
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A torn ACL can change a teenager’s life in a single play, and it can echo decades later as arthritis and knee replacements. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with physical therapist Vince Whalen to talk about why ACL tears hit female athletes so often, why many happen without contact, and how a simple prevention approach can make a measurable difference. Vince breaks down the FIFA Plus routine and the mechanics that matter most: hip control, balance, landing position, and the glute strength that keeps the knee fr...
Why estradiol patches are in short supply and what to do
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Estradiol patches on backorder, progesterone capsules hard to find, and a lot of anxious scrolling in between. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker recorded this because the hormone therapy supply chain is colliding with a surge in demand, and too many women are getting stuck without a plan. She walks through what’s actually driving the patch shortage, how WHI-era fear still shows up in exam rooms, and why “everyone needs a patch” is just as misleading as “no one should take hormones.”
If you can’t get your usual p...
Your Primary Care Clinician Should Help You Navigate Women’s Health
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The hardest part of health care isn’t always treatment, it’s figuring out who should treat you in the first place. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly L. Thacker, MD sits down with Laura Lipold, MD, Director of Primary Care Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic, to map out how primary care, OB-GYN care and consultative women’s health specialists can work together across every life stage.
They talk candidly about why so many patients feel stuck right now, from limited access to primary care to the long shadow of menop...
What is Progesterone Intolerance and Sensitivity?
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If your body seems to “flip a switch” after ovulation, you’re not imagining it and you’re not alone. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker talks through a lesser-known but very real problem: progesterone allergy and progesterone intolerance, often grouped under progestogen hypersensitivity. The most important clue is timing, with symptoms that reliably worsen in the luteal phase when progesterone rises and then ease when your period starts and hormones fall.
Dr. Thacker walks through what progesterone is supposed to do in women’s health and why it can sti...
A Mother’s Day Guide to Women’s Health at Every Stage
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Two little voices kick off a Mother’s Day special, and that warm family moment quickly opens into bigger questions about women’s health that too often get ignored until they’re urgent. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD shares what every woman should understand earlier: fertility has a biological clock that doesn’t match how healthy you can feel in your 30s and 40s, and ovarian aging is a major driver of infertility. She talks about when to seek an infertility evaluation, why conditions like endometriosis and celiac disease can be b...
Pediatric Airway Problems Explained: Mouth Breathing, Cavities, and ADHD‑Like Symptoms
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When sleep is fragmented by mouth breathing or a restricted airway, the ripple effects can show up as cavities, restless sleep, drooling, picky eating, speech concerns, bedwetting, and ADHD-like behavior in kids. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker interviews Dr. Rachel Rosen, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Breathe Institute affiliate in Ohio, to connect the dots between airway, oral function, and whole-body health from infancy through adolescence.
They talk through what modern pediatric airway screening should look like and why a quick glance at tonsils or...
From dizziness to pain relief with expert physical therapist Vince Whalen
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The room spins when you roll over in bed, then it vanishes, and you start wondering if you should just “wait it out.” That’s where so many people lose weeks of their life to dizziness, falls and fear. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Vince Whalen, a physical therapist and co-founder of Wadsworth Family Physical Therapy, to break down what vestibular therapy and evidence-based physical therapy can do when vertigo, imbalance and pain start shrinking your world.
They get specific about benign paroxysmal positional vertig...
From ACL to Pelvic Floor: Why Women’s Pain Gets Missed—and How to Fix It
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ACL tears, postpartum pain, and pelvic floor problems all have something in common: a lot of people are trying to “push through” without ever getting the right diagnosis. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD is back in the Sunflower House with physical therapist Vince Whalen to get practical about women’s health physical therapy and what actually moves the needle when symptoms keep coming back.
They start the discussion with the female knee and why ACL injuries are so widespread in girls’ sports. Vince explains how many tears happen w...
Testosterone and Women
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Testosterone has become the hottest hormone on social media, and it’s easy to see why: so many women feel dismissed when they bring up low libido, fatigue, or that nagging sense of “I don’t feel like myself.”Â
Dr. Holly Thacker unpacks what female testosterone actually is, why the lack of an FDA-approved testosterone product for women creates confusion, and how to think clearly about benefits vs risks.
You will also hear her candid warnings about testosterone pellets, high-dose compounded hormones, and “anti-aging clinic” dosing that can push levels into t...
Inside Regenerative Spine Care: Evidence, Risks and Real Alternatives
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Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Dr. Alison Stout, an interventional PM&R and sports medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic and president of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society. They discuss regenerative spine care and what’s regulated, what’s risky, and what actually helps when chronic back or SI joint pain won’t let up.
Not everyone is a candidate for regenerative injections, particularly those without a clear anatomical target or with uncontrolled conditions like diabetes. They close the interview with credible resources, how to...
Six Ways to Save Money on Prescriptions
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What if paying less for your prescriptions was not just possible, but predictable? Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker walks us through a clear, six-step playbook to cut medication costs without cutting corners, drawing on years of women’s health practice, patient stories, and the latest programs reshaping access and pricing.
Dr. Thacker shares how to use discount cards and price comparison sites to uncover true cash prices in your zip code, when to skip insurance at the counter, and how 30- versus 90-day fills change your bottom li...
Non-Hormonal Menopause Relief
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Hot flashes that hijack your day and wreck your sleep are more than a nuisance—they’re a brain‑level problem with real solutions. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Dr. Nayoung Sung from Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Specialized Women’s Health to unpack a new non‑hormonal therapy, Lynkuet® (elinzanetant).
For listeners weighing options, Dr. Sung and Dr. Thacker lay out who benefits most from non‑hormonal care—those with clotting risks, estrogen‑sensitive cancers, or simple preference to avoid hormones—and where low‑dose paroxetine...
Bone health starts now
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Bones don’t complain until they break—so we went straight to the source to decode how to measure, protect, and strengthen them before trouble starts. Dr. Thacker sits down with Dr. Kristi Tough-DeSapri, a leading women’s bone health specialist, to break down what DEXA really tells us, how trabecular bone score adds vital nuance about bone quality, and where newer ultrasound-based REMS fits when access is limited.
Strong bones start with fundamentals—calcium, vitamin D, protein, resistance and impact training, and fall prevention—but often need targeted therapy to truly cut...
Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome and How To Manage It Day To Day
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Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker dives into irritable bowel syndrome with a clear, compassionate guide to understanding symptoms, pinpointing triggers, and building a plan that actually sticks. From the brain–gut connection and hormone-driven flares to the role of the microbiome, you’ll hear how stress, sleep, and daily choices shape everything from cramping and bloat to bathroom urgency.
Dr. Thacker shares how to manage IBS symptoms, including the low FODMAP diet, adding fiber to your diet, drinking plenty of water, and daily exercise. She discusses probiotics and...
From DNA to Daily Habits: Choosing a Longer Health Span
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Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD sat down with Cleveland Clinic internist and executive health physician Richard Cartabuke, MD to map out how a single, coordinated visit can compress a month of care—advanced labs, imaging and expert consults—into a focused plan you can actually use. From there, they go deeper: why direct genetic testing beats ancestry kits for medical decisions, how proteomics and multiomics translate your biology into priorities and where whole genome sequencing is headed as targeted therapies arrive.
Data is only useful if it driv...
How Thiamine Can Help You Feel Better and Have More Energy
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Feeling drained, foggy, or just a bit off?Â
Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker breaks down how thiamine (also known as vitamin B1) works and how it helps convert the carbs you eat into steady energy for your brain, heart, and nerves.
Dr. Thacker walks through thiamine sources found in your pantry and fridge like fortified whole grains and cereals, black beans and lentils, salmon and mussels, lean pork, wheat germ, yogurt, and nuts and seeds like pistachios, macadamias, flax, hemp, and sunflower seeds.Â
Yo...
From genes to guidance: How ctDNA and MRD shape treatment choices
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A drop of blood can change the course of cancer care. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD sits down with variant curator Stetson Thacker, PhD to unpack how circulating tumor DNA and tumor‑informed minimal residual disease testing help clinicians see recurrence months before imaging, tailor adjuvant therapy, and track response in real time. Together, they translate complex genomics into clear choices: when a negative MRD result supports de‑escalation, when a persistent positive argues for chemotherapy and how colorectal and breast cancers have led the way in clinical validation.
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ALA - The Antioxidant That Multitasks Hard
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Alpha-lipoic acid gets a lot of buzz, but what does it actually do for your body—and when is it worth taking?Â
Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly L. Thacker takes a clear approach to explain how this unique antioxidant supports energy production, helps your cells handle carbohydrates, and may assist with blood sugar control and nerve comfort in people managing type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. She talks through the science in plain language, then connects it to daily life so you can make informed choices that fit your hea...
Understanding Pelvic Ultrasounds and Ovarian Cysts
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Ever stared at a pelvic ultrasound report and felt more confused than reassured? Dr. Holly Thacker breaks down the images, the language, and the decisions behind them with gynecologic imaging expert Dr. Sharon Sutherland, whose day-to-day work focuses on translating patterns into practical care. From the first gel-on-belly scan to transvaginal views and saline infusion sonography, they walk through how each test works, what it shows, and how timing, equipment, and technique change the quality of the answers you get.
Abnormal bleeding gets a focused, stepwise approach. They discuss why...
How to Build a Skincare Routine That Actually Works
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In this episode, we’re revisiting one of our most popular conversations from Season 2 featuring Dr. Taryn Murray, a board-certified dermatologist known for her practical and science-backed skincare advice. Dr. Murray shared expert insights on how to build a skincare routine that actually works, debunked common myths, and offered tips for achieving healthier skin at any age.
We’re replaying this episode as a lead-in to her upcoming return in Season 4, where she’ll be joining us once again to dive even deeper into skincare strategies and the latest in dermatological advanc...
Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy and How To Manage It
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Tingling toes. A strange electric buzz that won’t let you sleep. We sat down with Dr. John Morren, Director of the Neuromuscular Center at Cleveland Clinic, to unpack what truly drives peripheral neuropathy, how to read the early signs, and which treatments actually help you function and rest again.
We trace the most common causes—diabetes and the broader metabolic syndrome—while surfacing underrecognized risks like rapid weight loss, malabsorption after bariatric surgery, chemotherapy, infections, alcohol, and hidden vitamin pitfalls. B12 deficiency takes center stage as a treatable driver; we talk r...
How 2025 Changed Women’s Health and Looking Ahead to 2026
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We kick off season four by unpacking the most important women’s health developments of 2025 and turning them into simple, confident actions for 2026. From menopausal care finally getting a long-overdue reboot to new tools for mood, pain, and preventive screening, we focus on what’s real, what helps and what to do next.
Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker walks through timely risks and practical choices: the new data linking long-term Depo-Provera use to meningioma, the way even therapeutic levothyroxine can chip away at bone density and why the...
Holiday Eating, Without The Guilt
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The holidays don’t have to be a choice between joy and well-being. We invite you into a cozy Christmas Eve conversation that blends candlelight traditions with clear, doable strategies for eating well, staying energized, and sleeping better. From a nourishing breakfast to a colorful plate at dinner, you’ll learn how to slow down and savor your favorites.
We also share a one-minute breathing reset to melt stress and a warm, cinnamon baked apples recipe that makes your home smell like the season while keeping nutrition front and center.
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Why Chromium is Important for Your Metabolism and Mind
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A tiny mineral with a big impact can change how you feel during the day -from steadier energy to clearer thinking and fewer snack attacks. So, what is this important mineral? Chromium, the quiet cofactor that helps your body process carbs, fats, and proteins more efficiently.Â
Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly L. Thacker explains why “food first” beats a crowded supplement shelf, and how easy wins—broccoli, green beans, quinoa, lean proteins, dairy, and even stainless steel cookware—can boost chromium naturally.
Dr. Thacker shares how much chro...
Why Your Symptoms Matter More Than Your Hormone Numbers
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Hot flashes don’t keep a schedule, and neither do lab numbers. We sit down with Dr. Rachel Novik of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Specialized Women’s Health to cut through the noise around perimenopause, menopause, and hormone testing—and focus on what actually helps you feel like yourself again.
We talk about why the most reliable “diagnosis” of menopause is still 12 months without a period, and when lab work like estradiol and FSH can be helpful for patients with hormonal IUDs or after hysterectomy. She breaks down common myths about the Du...
Why “I don’t need birth control” still means you might need hormonal control
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What if birth control could be your most reliable tool for better cycles, clearer skin, steadier moods, and a smoother perimenopause—whether or not you need pregnancy prevention?Â
Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Certified Nurse Practitioner Dana Leslie to map out a smarter, personalized path through contraception, hormone balance, and sexual health that actually fits real life.
They also break down the latest in at‑home STI testing.
If you found this useful, follow the show, share it with a frien...
You Don’t Need A Perfect Holiday To Make Real Memories
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Perfection is loud during the holidays. Presence is quieter—and far more powerful. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Executive Producer Leigh Klekar sat down with clinical social worker and holistic psychotherapist Marita Pompeani to unpack why this season ratchets up stress and how to find steady ground with simple, science-backed tools you can use anywhere.
We talk about expectations and how social media scripts can push us to overspend, overcommit, and overlook our bandwidth. Marita shares a flexible framework for planning with blended families, setting a realistic budget, and rethinking gift gi...
The Supplement Showdown: Creatine, L-Carnitine, Taurine, and Boron
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The wellness industry thrives on convincing us we need the latest supplements for optimal health. But do those trendy powders and pills pushed by social media influencers actually deliver results? In this eye-opening episode, Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker cuts through the marketing noise surrounding four popular supplements dominating online conversations: Creatine, L-Carnitine, Taurine, and Boron.
As Director for the Center for Specialized Women's Health, Dr. Thacker brings evidence-based clarity to the supplement conversation. She explains how these compounds naturally function in our bodies, what foods provide...
Grandparents' Rights: Legal Options When You Need to Step In
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When family dynamics break down, who protects the bond between grandparents and grandchildren? Attorney Eva Saulnier returns to the Speaking of Women's Health Podcast to tackle this often-overlooked but emotionally charged area of family law.
Most grandparents are shocked to discover they have limited legal standing regarding their grandchildren. As Saulnier explains to Host Dr. Holly Thacker, courts maintain a strong preference for parental rights, even when those parents aren't perfect.
Whether you're concerned about your own grandchildren or supporting someone facing these difficult circumstances, this episode provides essential...
Here’s How to Build Collagen the Smart Way
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Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker unpacks what collagen actually is, why production slows with age and menopause, and how to protect and build it with food and daily habits. She weighs the evidence on collagen supplements, shares safety guardrails, and lays out a practical plan for skin, joints, and bones.
Dr. Thacker starts with the big levers: why smoking, alcohol, sugar, and UV exposure damage collagen, and how simple shifts—SPF on chronically exposed skin, smarter sun for vitamin D, and a realistic supplement plan after age 40—help...
Navigating Menopause and Hormone Therapy After Breast Cancer with Dr. Corinne Menn
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Breast cancer survivors are sometimes told to endure the fallout of estrogen deprivation. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host sits down with Dr. Corinne Menn, a long‑term breast cancer survivor, to unpack what real, evidence‑based menopause care looks like for breast cancer survivors, high‑risk women, and BRCA previvors—without fear and without shame.
For more information on Dr. Corinne Menn, visit drmenn.com.
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Boosting Bone Health
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Your bones are silently changing beneath the surface, and for women entering menopause, that change accelerates at an alarming rate. Did you know you could lose up to 30% of your bone mass in the first 5-7 years after menopause? This silent thief works without symptoms until a fracture occurs, often when it's too late for prevention.
In this episode, Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker reads Chapter 12 of her book, "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause," and offers additional insights...
World Menopause Day: Understanding the Complete Menopause Journey
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Every October 18th marks World Menopause Day, highlighting a transition affecting over a billion women worldwide who spend at least a third to half of their lives in this phase. Despite its universal nature, menopause remains poorly understood and inadequately addressed in many healthcare settings.
Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker walks you through the menopause journey in this episode. She touches on the increasing severity of health issues during menopause, including metabolic syndrome and hypertension, which compound cognitive challenges like word-finding difficulties and "brain fog."
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The Risks and Benefits of Hormone Therapy
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Hormone therapy remains the gold standard for treating menopausal symptoms—hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. When started within 10 years of menopause onset, it offers a remarkable 30% reduction in all-cause mortality. Yet this fact rarely makes headlines.
Join Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker as she reads and discusses Chapter 10: The Risks and Benefits of Hormone Therapy from her book, "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause."
The most important takeaway? Don't let fear di...
