Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information: THE Menopause Podcast

Your progesterone questions…Answered!  If estrogen is the good witch, for a lot of women, progesterone is the bad witch that causes bloating, weight gain, and moodiness. Some types of progestogens may also increase the risk of breast cancer.  In this episode, I am going to go through the good, the bad, and all the options when it comes to protecting your uterus when using systemic estrogen therapy.   And since I get so many questions about progesterone, I included them all.  In this episode, I cover o   Why a progestogen is prescribed when a woman takes estrogen post menopause o   The difference between a Progesterone, a Progestin, and a Progestogen o   FDA Approved stand-alone progestogens §            Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (Provera™) §            Micronized Progesterne (Prometrium™) o   FDA Approved ORAL Progestogens combined with estrogen o   FDA Approved TRANSDERMAL Progestogens combined with estrogen o   BAZODOXIFENE-The only FDA approved non-progestogen to protect the uterine lining (and is back on the market!)  o   OFF-LABEL options used to substitute for progestogens. §           Levonorgestrol IUD §           The problem with taking unopposed estrogen §          The problem with compounded transdermal progesterone §          The problem with transvaginal progesterone  For more information on this topic:  Episode 31 The TRUTH About Hormone Therapy: Does it CAUSE or Does it PREVENT Breast Cancer? Episode 35 Compounding Hormones: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Episode 51- Transdermal versus Oral Estrogen- What's the Difference? Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  DrStreicher.com Instagram       @DrStreich Twitter            @DrStreicher Facebook         @DrStreicher YouTube           DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

As a sexual medicine expert, I interact with people every day who are confused, mystified, and often put off by the very idea that someone does not define themselves by the sex they were assigned at birth. My guest is Rae McDaniel - a non-binary therapist, certified sex therapist, transgender diversity and inclusion educator, and the author of Gender Magic- Live Shamelessly, Reclaim Your Joy and step into Your Most Authentic Self. Gender Magic is not only a road map for individuals that do not neatly fit into a binary world but also for those who want to support a child, colleague, or loved one, or want to understand the transgender non-binary world better.  We start by defining the following terminology: Cis Gender Non-binary Binary Transgender Transsexual Queer We then go on to discuss: How a parent ideally would respond if either a very young child or an adult child reveals that they are non-binary or trans Appropriate pronoun use When the school doesn’t tell parents that their child identifies as non-binary or trans The best way to come out to parents and other family members and friends Frequency of regret after transition Why a name change is important The importance of solo sex and fantasy The importance of therapy when transitioning The concept of ethical curiosity  Why doing burlesque can be empowering!  What gender freedom is Gender Magic- Live Shamelessly, Reclaim Your Joy, and Step into Your Most Authentic Self https://www.amazon.com/Gender-Magic-Shamelessly-Reclaim-Authentic/dp/1538724898/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=  Rae McDaniel Instagram: @theraemcdaniel and @practicalaudacity Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raemcdanielgendermagic Websites  http://www.rae-mcdaniel.com   https://www.gendermagic.com https://www.practicalaudacity.com Look Down There Podcast with Michelle L’amour and Dr. Streicher https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/look-down-there/episodes/Menopause-A-New-Hope-with-Dr--Lauren-Streicher-e1p7drs/a-a8mcqrh Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

This episode was prompted by the following question: “Will hormone therapy help with emotional lability, dysthymia, and crying jags? “   In this episode, I discuss:  How common it is to have depressive symptoms during perimenopause The difference between depressive symptoms and depression The difference between cognitive symptoms and mood symptoms  The psychosocial impact of perimenopause on mood The biologic reason that a lack of estrogen causes emotional lability, sadness and other mood symptoms When hormone therapy helps..and when it doesn’t Non-hormonal options to alleviate mood symptoms                             National Suicide Prevention Hotline                                                      Dial 988 If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and thinking about suicide or self-harm, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. To ask a question, go to  DrStreicher/com/podcast scroll down and start talking!                           Episode 23:  Welcome to Peri-menopause Episode 32: Are Your Hot Flashes Making You Foggy: Forgetful? with Dr. Pauline Maki Episode 71  Hormone Therapy for Cognitive Function? Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Instagram       @DrStreich Twitter            @DrStreicher Facebook        @DrStreicher YouTube         DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

This week the FDA approved FEZOLINETANT, a new NON-HORMONAL drug to get rid of HOT FLASHES. In this episode I am going to start by reviewing the science behind a hot flash, then move on to how this new drug works, how well it works and the side effects. And then, the big question:  “Is fezolinetant the way to go, or is hormone therapy the way to go?” In this episode Dr. Streicher reviews:  The SCIENCE behind a hot flash Why lack of estrogen causes hot flashes HOW fezolinetant works HOW EFFECTIVE fezolinetant works is SIDE EFFECTS of fezolinetant Should women take ESTROGEN or FEZOLINETANT? Benefits of estrogen that have not been demonstrated in fezolinetant For more information on this topic:  Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Episode 1: Is It Menopause or Some Other Pause? Episode 2:Think Your Hot Flashes Can't Kill You? Think Again! Episode 9:Can Cannabis Help Your Sweats? Sleep? Sex? Episode 17:  Menopause in the workplace Episode 31 The TRUTH About Hormone Therapy: Does it CAUSE or Does it PREVENT Breast Cancer? Episode 32: Are Your Hot Flashes Making You Foggy: Forgetful? with Dr. Pauline Maki Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Imagine an art installation composed of 400 casts of vulvas -a sea of white plaster labia that stretches across an entire wall. An installation that is provocative, and beautiful, but also celebrates genital diversity and is a powerful antidote to genital anxiety. Meet Jamie McCartney, the artist behind The Great Wall of Vulva!  We discuss: How Jaimie came to start casting vulvas The insecurity both men and women have regarding the appearance of their genitals How Jaimie recruited models for the project What motivated most models to have their vulva casted The casting process The educational impact of the work The impact of the work on individual models  The societal impact of the wall Censorship and negative reactions Casting your own vulva How you can have a piece of the wall  Next projects            More about Jaimie McCartney and the Great Wall of Vulva GreatWallofVulva.com Instagram  @Mcc.art.ney  JamieMcCartney.com                                 To See the Exhibit in Miami Wilzig Erotic Art Museum https://www.weammuseum.com/                            For More Information on This Topic Episode 18:   The Itchy Vulva with Dr. Jill Krapf Episode 33 A Walk Down the Feminine Hygiene Aisle Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

New York Times health writer, Jancee Dunn, is a connoisseur when it comes to writing about cutting-edge research and scientific information. Her articles and books are based on exhaustive interviews with multiple experts, yet she manages to make them read like edgy sitcoms. Her new book, Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About Menopause and How to Feel Like Yourself Again is anything but dry. And as an investigative reporter and New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids,- it’s no surprise that she has once again, gotten it exactly right. In this episode, I sit down with Jancee to discuss her experience when she entered perimenopause how she was blindsided by being "hot and bothered", and what she learned along the way.   Jancee Dunn is the columnist for Well at the New York Times. She is also a New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids, which was published in twelve languages. She writes about health and science for publications such as Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter. Jancee Dunn Instagram: @JanceeDunn Jancee Dunn Books:  https://www.amazon.com/Books-Jancee-Dunn/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AJancee+Dunn Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About Menopause and How to Feel Like Yourself Again https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Bothered-Tells-Menopause-Yourself/dp/B0BBWN4F9P/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1682533616&refinements=p_27%3AJancee+Dunn&s=books&sr=1-3 Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Today’s topic is based on question that come in through my website.  “Some of us have difficulty tolerating the vaginal creams and ring. The estrogen creams cause my urethra to immediately begin spasming! My doctor has mentioned this ospemifene as a possibility, but I’d like to hear some details on it from your perspective.” For those who would rather put a pill in their mouth than in their vagina, ospemifene is a non-estrogen option to alleviate vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.   In this episode, I discuss:  How ospemifene works SERMS (selective estrogen receptor modulators)  The impact of ospemifene on bones, bladder, and breast tissue Why the FDA has a breast cancer warning on the label Who should not use ospemifene Side effects To ask a question, go to  DrStreicher/com/podcast#ask Hit the microphone icon and start talking!  More Information Episode 3: What's Up Down There? Genital Dryness & Misbehaving Bladders  Episode 4: Is Your Lubricant Helping or Hurting Your Vagina? Episode 5: Vaginal Estrogen- Rings, Creams, and Other Things  Episode 11: Vaginal Estrogen is Not Poison Episode 27:  Using Vaginal Estrogen but Sex Still Hurts Like Hell  Episode 61 Boning Up on Bones: Part 2 with Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri  Episode 63 DHEA-An Estrogen Alternative for Vaginal Dryness   Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Instagram       @DrStreich Twitter            @DrStreicher Facebook        @DrStreicher YouTube         DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Estrogen is not only good for your brain, your bladder, and your bones, estrogen is also good for your blood vessels. And a lack of estrogen is one of the reasons that heart disease spikes in women post-menopause. Hormone therapy, if started within ten years of the menopause transition, appears to be heart protective. Today I am joined by Dr. Marla Mendelson, a cardiologist and associate professor of Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.   She is also the former co-director of the Women’s Health Research Institute. Dr. Mendelsohn has devoted her career to evaluating and treating women’s cardiovascular health throughout the lifespan.  We discuss: Why ESTROGEN is important for heart health and vascular health RISK FACTORS for cardiovascular disease Family history- what’s significant, what’s not  Smoking  Diabetes  Hypertension  High cholesterol  Age of Menopause  Obesity  Hypertension during pregnancy Why Black women have high rates of cardiovascular disease  The relationship of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) on heart disease risk.  How to SCREEN women for heart disease with and without a family history When a STRESS TEST is appropriate If a CORONARY CALCIUM test should be done routinely The impact of cardiotoxic CHEMOTHERAPY and chest RADIATION PREVENTION of cardiovascular disease WARNING SIGNS of heart disease in women What happens during a HEART ATTACK  The relationship of HOT FLASHES and heart disease Why it is generally safe and beneficial to take HORMONE THERAPY if there is heart disease Why most cardiologists and internists are not comfortable recommending hormone therapy even though estrogen decreases cholesterol and triglycerides Why  most medications given to women have only been tested in men For More Information on This Topic Episode 2:Think Your Hot Flashes Can't Kill You? Think Again! Episode 19:  Menopause and Muffin Top: why women put on pounds Episode 30: Weight! Weight! Can a Pill Help Take Off the Pounds? With Dr. Kushner Episode 56 Too Young For Menopause? with Dr. Hannah Short Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.           Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Currently, the market for adult diapers in the US is almost as large as the market for baby diapers. Part of this trend is because birth rates have slowed down and longevity continues to lengthen but the other reason why almost 50% of adults experience some form of urinary incontinence is due to an increase in risk factors. Today, with my guest, urologist Dr. Rachel Rubin, I am taking on the taboo topic of urinary incontinence- why it happens and how to make it go away. We discuss: The difference between urge, stress, and mixed incontinence Risk factors for developing stress incontinence Ways to manage incontinence. Diapers and pads  Urine absorbent underwear  Pessaries and other vaginal support devices The impact of local vaginal estrogen on incontinence The impact of systemic estrogen on stress incontinence Why it is important to have an exam when treated for incontinence Strategies to treat a dysfunctional pelvic floor Pelvic floor physical therapy  Kegel exercises- and why they rarely work Over the counter devices Why medications for overactive bladder do not work to treat stress incontinence Urethral bulking agents as an option When surgery is appropriate If a hysterectomy increases the risk of incontinence If Botox in the bladder will help How to find an expert in incontinence RachelrubinMD.com Twitter: @DrRachelRubin Insta: @DrRachelRubin                                             Other Episodes of Interest Episode 5: Vaginal Estrogen- Rings, Creams, and Other Things  Episode 6: Your Post Menopause Urethra and Why You Should  Care- with Dr. Kelly   Casperson Episode 15 Need to Know Info About the Penis in Your Bed with Dr. Rachel Rubin Episode 38 Pelvic Organs Dropping? How to STOP the POP! Episode 39 A Personal Trainer for Your Pelvic Floor with Dr. Janelle Howell                                    To find a pelvic floor physical therapist https://pelvicrehab.com/ https://specialization.apta.org/find-a-specialist                                  To find a specialist in urogynecology American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS.org) Society of Urodynamics, female pelvic surgery and urogenital reconstruction -sufuorg.com Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter       @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Today is day 5 of Question-and-Answer week. I am answering questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com, my newsletter, or social media.  Today’s question:  “I am 70 years old and would like to start hormone therapy since my understanding is that it will help with cognitive function. But I can’t get anyone to give me a prescription. What do you think? “   In this episode I discuss:  The impact of perimenopause on cognitive function What the data shows regarding HT and cognitive function, including the WHIMS trial and the KEEPS trial The concept of the critical window when it comes to starting HT Why it is not advisable to start HT at age 70 to help with cognitive function To ask a question, go to DrStreicher.com/podcast More Information Episode 32: Are Your Hot Flashes Making You Foggy: Forgetful? with Dr. Pauline Maki Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Instagram       @DrStreich Twitter            @DrStreicher Facebook        @DrStreicher YouTube         DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Q and A Week!  Today is Day 4 of Question-and-Answer week.  I am answering your questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com/podcast, and my newsletter.                                                Today’s Question  "What's the scoop on the O-Shot? Is it a viable option for women having a difficulty with orgasm?"    In this episode I discuss:  Why women have difficulty with orgasm post menopause What the O-shot is Claims made on the O-Shot Website Articles cited regarding the O-shot and if they are valid Why a placebo-controlled trial is important To ask a question, go to  DrStreicher.com/podcast, scroll down, and start talking!                    To  receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER                                   Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society. Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. Instagram       @DrStreich Twitter            @DrStreicher Facebook        @DrStreicher YouTube         DrStreicherTV                                          Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Q and A Week!  Today is Day 3 of Question-and-Answer week.  I am answering questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com, my newsletter, or social media..or in this case, from the woman getting her hair shampooed next to me at the beauty salon.                                                      Today’s Question                         "Will oral minoxidil help my hair grow?"     In this episode I discuss:  General options to help with post-menopause androgenic alopecia The use of oral minoxidil to help hair grow If using “natural products are safer and more effective than using synthetic products.  To ask a question, go to  DrStreicher.com/podcast, scroll down, and start talking! To  receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER                                                   More Information Episode 7: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow-Menopause & Hair  Loss- Episode 66 Don’t Be Duped-Misleading marketing and the FDA Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Instagram       @DrStreich Twitter            @DrStreicher Facebook        @DrStreicher YouTube         DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Q and A Week!  Today is Day 2 of Question-and-Answer week.  I am answering your questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com/podcast, and my newsletter.                                                     Today’s Question  “I have uterine fibroids. My periods finally stopped.  But now I have terrible hot flashes. I am interested in hormone therapy, but I am worried. Will taking estrogen make my fibroids grow again? “ In this episode I discuss:  What fibroids are What generally happens to fibroids during perimenopause and post menopause What the studies show about the impact of hormone therapy and fibrodis What to do if fibroids are growing post menopause  Why someone might bleed if they have fibroids and are taking HT post menopause To ask a question, go to  DrStreicher.com/podcast, scroll down, and start talking! To  receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER                                           More Information The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy by Lauren Streicher Episode 23:  Welcome to Peri-menopause Episode 40 Don’t Go with This Flow- Post Menopause Bleeding Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Instagram       @DrStreich Twitter            @DrStreicher Facebook        @DrStreicher YouTube         DrStreicherTV                                          Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Q and A Week!  Today is Day 1 of Question-and-Answer week.  I am answering your questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com/podcast, and my newsletter.                                                      Today’s Question  “I started taking estrogen when I was 48 after my hysterectomy. I love my estrogen gel and feel great. But I have been on it for 6 years and my gynecologist wants me to stop. I don’t know what to do. “  In this episode I discuss:  Why so many women are told they need to stop hormone therapy  after 5 years or after age 65 What the data shows The recommendation of the North American Menopause Society on this issue What to do if your doctor will not refill your prescription  To ask a question, go to  DrStreicher.com/podcast, scroll down, and start talking! To  receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER                                                 More Information 2022 Position Statement on Hormone Therapy of the North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/nams-2022-hormone-For more information:therapy-position-statement.pdf To find a certified menopause practitioner, go to www.menopause.org Episode 31 The TRUTH About Hormone Therapy: Does it CAUSE or Does it PREVENT Breast Cancer? Episode 46 Finding a Menopause Clinician Who Will Listen Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Instagram       @DrStreich Twitter            @DrStreicher Facebook        @DrStreicher YouTube         DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

You grab a product off the shelf—maybe it promises to help with bladder control, take off ten pounds, erase wrinkles, or boost orgasms. You assume it will do what it claims to do because it’s got the FDA seal right there on the package. Most consumers have no idea that most over-the-counter products have not been tested to make sure product claims are legitimate. In this episode Dr. Streicher discusses: The history of the FDA Why estrogen disappeared from face cream in 1962 The different FDA categories and what they mean FDA Approved  FDA Cleared  FDA Listed  FDA Registered  What it takes to be FDA approved  Why testosterone was never FDA-approved for women  Loopholes that allow products to get an FDA label  Other misleading labeling that is often used: Doctor recommended  Doctor tested  Clinically proven The difference between a marketing study and a scientific study  The problem with class labeling The FDA listing that demonstrates the loophole used by Intimate Rose Dilators https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/rl.cfm?lid=584142&lpcd=HDQ) For more information on this topic:  Episode 11: Vaginal Estrogen is Not Poison Episode 13: Post Menopause Skin- What! Why? And How to  Make it Better Episode 33 A Walk Down the Feminine Hygiene Aisle Episode 35 Compounding Hormones: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly  Episode 64 Menopause Myths and Crazy Products- Live From ISSWSH Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.               Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter        @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Essentially all women eventually enter menopause, and while most end up not taking hormones to treat their symptoms, they at least have the option to do so. Women with a breast cancer diagnosis, on the other hand, generally don’t have the same choices at their disposal and are told, or assume, they are not candidates for estrogen therapy. Millions of women are expected to just put up with hot flashes, brain fog, insomnia, and bone loss, not to mention all the changes below the belly button. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified gynecologist, with expertise in menopause and sexual medicine who was diagnosed with estrogen-positive breast cancer in her 20s.  We will have a radical discussion about options, INCLUDING ESTROGEN to manage hot flashes and insomnia.  In this episode, we discuss: The impact of PREGNANCY on women with breast cancer Non-estrogen prescription options to treat HOT FLASHES SSRI, SNRI  Gabapentin  Oxybutynin  Fezolinetant ESTROGEN THERAPY as an option for women with breast cancer The lack of studies that show estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer recurrence or mortality  The 25 scientific studies that support the safety of taking menopausal estrogen therapy in women with breast cancer  Why physicians continue to tell women to avoid estrogen If it is worth taking herbal or other over-the-counter hot flash remedies Article Dr. Menn references: Bluming AZ. Introduction: Estrogen Reconsidered: Exploring the Evidence for Estrogen's Benefits and Risks. Cancer J. 2022 May-Jun 01;28(3):157-162.  MORE INFORMATION Episode 2:Think Your Hot Flashes Can't Kill You? Think Again! Episode 3: What's Up Down There? Genital Dryness & Misbehaving Bladders  Episode 11: Vaginal Estrogen is Not Poison Episode 31 The TRUTH About Hormone Therapy: Does it CAUSE or Does it PREVENT Breast Cancer?  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

The annual meeting of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, otherwise known as ISSWSH, is a medical conference where sexual medicine and menopause experts gather to present research and educate other health care professionals. At this year’s meeting, I decided to grab some of those world-renowned EXPERTS on the fly and ask them the following 4 questions:  “Of all of the RIDICULOUS PRODUCTS that are being sold to treat sexual function, menopause symptoms or bladder control, what is at the top of your list as something that just needs to go away?” “What is the most common MYTH you hear again and again when it comes to HORMONE THERAPY “If given the opportunity to educate a room full of men about SEXUALLY PLEASING a female partner, what is the one thing, as a sexual medicine expert, you would tell them?” “You are often asked to give a lecture to a room full of primary care clinicians, who generally know next to nothing about sexual medicine and menopause. If you only had time to address ONE TOPIC, what would that be?” The Experts Dr. Andrew Goldstein -Ob-Gyn, Clinical Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine, Director of the Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders, Past President of ISSWSH     https://www.vulvodynia.com/about Dr. Leah Milheiser Ob-Gyn, Clinical Professor Stanford University, Chief Medical Officer Evernow @DrLeahM Dr. Irwin Goldstein Urologist, Founder, and past president of ISSWSH. Director of San Diego Sexual Medicine  Dr. Lori Burkholtz Family Medicine and Fellow Trained Women’s Health Specialist, Associate Medical Director for Ms.Medicine, a national health care organization dedicated to advancing women’s health Dr. Alyssa Dweck Ob-Gyn, New York, with an expertise in sexual medicine and menopause. Co-author of three books, including The Complete A to Z for Your V  Dr. Miriam Greene Ob-Gyn, New York University, host of the Doctor Radio Sexual Health and Well Being Show on Sirius XM Radio  Dr. Brooke Faught women’s-health nurse practitioner in Tennessee, specialty training in female sexual and pelvic floor medicine, and urology. Dr. Diane Bitner Ob-Gyn, Grand Rapids, Michigan, North American Menopause Society (NAMS) 2015 Menopause Practitioner of the Year. Author of I Want to Age Like That – Healthy Aging Through Midlife and Menopause”. Dr. James Simon Reproductive Endocrinologist, Past president of ISSWSH, Past President of North American Menopause Society. Washington, DC Dr. Corinne Menn OB-GYN specializing in menopause, cancer survivorship, Medical Advisor for Alloy Dr. Melissa Dahir Family Medicine, Omaha, NE specializes in women’s sexual health and vulvar pain disorders Dr. Sameena Rahman-Ob-Gyn and specializes in sexual pain and sexual dysfunction. Instagram @ Gynegirl  Jennifer Romanello- Medical Student, Founder of The Medical Student Forum on Female Sexual Medicine Dr. Becky Lynn an Ob-Gyn, the founder of Evora Women’s Health, and a North American Menopause Society certified physician. Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg-Psychologist, Chief of behavioral medicine at MacDonald Women's Hospital/University Hospitals ,Cleveland Medical Center    Barb Dehn Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Vice President of Women’s Health at Peppy Health, Author Dr. Tammi Rowen Ob-Gyn, sexual health and gynecological care for women with disabilities, women with cancer, and transgender individuals. Medical Director- Sexual Medicine Program at the University of Southern California Dr. Rachel Rubin Urologist ,sexual medicine specialist , associate editor for the journal Sexual Medicine Reviews and Washington DC’s  “premier clitorologist” Dr. Terry Gibbs Ob Gyn, Ohio, specializing in Sexual Medicine and Menopause Related Episodes Episode 3: What's Up Down There? Genital Dryness & Misbehaving Bladders  Episode 4: Is Your Lubricant Helping or Hurting Your Vagina? Episode 5: Vaginal Estrogen- Rings, Creams, and Other Things  Episode 11: Vaginal Estrogen is Not Poison Episode 31 The TRUTH About Hormone Therapy: Does it CAUSE or Does it PREVENT Breast Cancer? Episode 33 A Walk Down the Feminine Hygiene Aisle Episode 46 Finding a Menopause Clinician Who Will Listen  Episode 63 DHEA-An Estrogen Alternative for Vaginal Dryness  Hear More From the Experts Episode 8: When Painful Sex Leads to Problem Relationships  with Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg Episode 14: Need to Know Info About the Penis in Your Bed with Dr. Rachel Rubin Episode 45 Religion, Culture and Sex with Dr. Sameena Rahman Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.                      Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, (also known as prasterone) is an FDA approved non-estrogen alternative with the brand name Intrarosa™.   These vaginal suppositories are specifically for the treatment of women experiencing moderate to severe pain during sex. The question is, do they work as well as estrogen? And what are the pros and cons?  In this episode, Dr. Streicher explains: The role of estrogen and testosterone in providing vaginal lubrication Why DHEA is beneficial to vaginal health  The science of intracrinology as opposed to endocrinology What Intrarosa™ is and how it is used The pros and cons of DHEA Why DHEA may boost your libido and help with orgasm in addition to decreasing pain If women with breast cancer can safely use DHEA If dietary DHEA supplements are beneficial Which is better-  vaginal estrogen or DHEA  For more information on this topic:  Episode 3: What's Up Down There? Genital Dryness & Misbehaving Bladders  Episode 4: Is Your Lubricant Helping or Hurting Your Vagina? Episode 5: Vaginal Estrogen- Rings, Creams, and Other Things  Episode 8: When Painful Sex Leads to Problem Relationships  with Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg Episode 11: Vaginal Estrogen is Not Poison Episode 21:  Say Yes! to Testosterone for Women Episode 27:  Using Vaginal Estrogen but Sex Still Hurts Like Hell  Episode 35 Compounding Hormones: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly   Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

Today I am talking to Dr. Melissa Simon. Dr. Simon served on the US Preventative Services Task Force Recommendation Committee (USPSTF), the government organization that shapes public policy and sets recommendations followed by doctors all over the country. So, when your doctor says you only need a Pap test every 3 years and that you no longer need a Pap test at all after age 65,  it is based on the recommendation of this committee.  How do they come up with these guidelines? And, are they always right? In this episode I challenge Dr. Simon on some controversial Task Force recommendations that have informed the way your doctor practices medicine, and dictated the health care you receive. And if you listened to Episode 58 Two Experts Two Timely Topics, you know what an amazing guest Dr. Simon is!  We discuss:  The role of the National Institute of Health (NIH)  The role of the National Institute of US Preventative Services Task Force Recommendation Committee (USPSTF) Problems with the current Pap test recommendations If women over 65 should get a pap test, and if so, who would benefit Who should get genetic testing for the BRCA mutation  Why urinary incontinence is a public health issue The public library and public health How you can influence public health policies  US Preventative Services Task Force Recommendation Committee https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/ Health for All Library Project: https://healthforallproject.org/  To leave a comment on cervical cancer screening: (comments periodically close but often open up again) https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-update-summary/cervical-cancer-screening-adults-adolescents  Final plan for cervical screening  which will also post for public comment: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/final-research-plan/cervical-cancer-screening-adults-adolescents To find out what preventative services you should have: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/apps/                                                   Melissa Simon MD Twitter: @DrMelissa Simon LinkedIn: 2Melissa-simon https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=16856 For more information: Episode 26: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  in Health Care, and Why it Matters with Dr. Fenwa Milhouse Episode 39 A Personal Trainer for Your Pelvic Floor with Dr. Janelle Howell  Episode 44 A Deep Dive into RECURRENT UTI Episode 58 Two Experts Two Timely Topics Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.                   Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.   Follow Dr. Streicher on  DrStreicher.com Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

In the United States, there are 10 million women with OSTEOPOROSIS and 43 million women with OSTEOPENIA. Most of these women do not know they are at risk for a potential life-changing or even fatal fracture.  My guest is Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri, an internist with a specialty and expertise in women’s bone health. This topic is in 2 parts. If you haven’t already, please start with Part 1, Episode 59, which focuses on WHY YOU SHOULD CARE about bone health, RISK FACTORS for osteoporosis, and SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS.  This episode will focus on PREVENTION and TREATMENT including:  What specific kinds of EXERCISE build bone and why CROSS TRAINING is important The importance of BALANCE Why women with INCONTINENCE and osteoporosis are at exceptionally high risk for fracture If YOGA is good for your bones How to get enough CALCIUM  If supplemental calcium is bad for your HEART Why you should test your VITAMIN D and how much you need If you have low bone mass (OSTEOPENIA) how to prevent further bone loss Why ESTROGEN is beneficial for bones The benefit of RELOXIFEN (Evista™) If HEAVY METALS are beneficial? Options to treat OSTEOPOROSIS Who is at highest risk for FRACTURE When a BONE BUILDING medicine is appropriate When medications, such as bisphosphonates, that PREVENT BONE RESORPTON are appropriate If OSTEONECROSIS of the jaw is something to worry about                                          For More Information   Dr. Tough DeSapri's Website https://boneandbodywh.com Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation:  https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/ Buff Bones:  https://buff-bones.com/ Bone Fit Training: https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/bonefit-find-a-professional/ Osteoporosis Canada  https://osteoporosis.ca/exercise-recommendations/ Calcium calculator:  https://osteoporosis.ca/calcium-calculator/ Episode 2:Think Your Hot Flashes Can't Kill You? Think Again! Episode 12: Your Muscles on Menopause with Amanda Thebe  Episode 21:  Say Yes! to Testosterone for Women Episode 31 The TRUTH About Hormone Therapy: Does it CAUSE or Does it PREVENT Breast Cancer? Episode 59- Boning Up on Bones: Part 1 with Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society.  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.  Instagram @DrStreich Twitter @DrStreicher Facebook  @DrStreicher YouTube  DrStreicherTV Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy