The Hotflash inc podcast

Send a textIn a week where we had the release of the new Davina McCall documentary Pill Revolution, Holly Grigg-Spall joins the Hotflash inc podcast to talk all about hormonal birth control. Holly is the author of the 2013 book Sweetening The Pill: Or How We Got Hooked on Hormonal Birth Control, and a writer on 2021's The Business of Birth Control documentary. Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen asks Holly all about what happened after her book was published, reaction to it and the documentary, and some of the top lines about what she found out during her years of research, all based on her own experience. And they talk about how the conversation around menopause hormone therapy relates to the conversation around the pill, and how previous pill use could be informing perimenopause and menopause. Sit back and dive in as we address one of the controversial subjects of our time.Resources:Sweetening the Pill: or How We Got Hooked on Hormonal Birth ControlSweeteningThePill.comTheBusinessofBirthControl.comJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textDr Mikhail Kogan came to medical marijuana via his work as a geriatrician at GW Medical Faculty Associates and as an associate professor of medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences in the US. He co-wrote one of the most comprehensive books on the subject of cannabis in health care, Medical Marijuana, published in 2021. Although he’s not a menopause marijuana specialist (no one really is, yet), he has really helpful insights as to why the research still needs to catch up with what doctors are seeing in patients, coffee is more addictive than cannabis, and what “going low and slow” really means when it comes to experimenting. He joined us as part of last year’s Menopause Shift Summit, and if you didn’t catch him there, you can catch him here. Highlights:Why cannabis can be a ‘godsend’ for older adultsWhatever medical problem we can think of, cannabis has a role A reminder that cannabis was the most heavily used medicine before the 1930s A look at our body’s own unique ‘endocannabinoid’ system – what he calls the oldest hormonal system in our bodyThe potential role of reductions in that system in our perimenopause experienceThe myth that there is no cannabis research – and an overview of what that research showsHis prediction about cannabis for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’sLow-and-slow and the ‘J curve’ and dosing Why he says the cautionary advice over cannabis from addiction specialists is very different from medicinal applications Back to myths, he’s also talking about medical marijuana and addictionHis top advice for what and how to buyJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textFYI: this is a very important replay of one of my most popular episodes, which was originally posted in November.  Jennifer Harrington is a naturopathic doctor based in Sydney, Australia. Her interest in natural therapies started when she was diagnosed with PCOS in her early twenties and told she may struggle to ever have children. After experimenting with birth control pills, but found her symptoms got worse and found her way to naturopathy, and she got better. Although she had a career in television, she decided to retrain so she could help other women. After graduating she worked at the famous Chiva Som Health Resort in Thailand and later opened her own clinic. In 2014 she started Menopause Natural Solutions, and she now helps perimenopausal and menopausal women all over the world. In this episode you will learn about:Jennifer’s own perimenopausal journey, which includes massive blood loss, uterine polyps and fibroids Why fibroids happen and what can be done about themThe importance of salt and electrolytesWhat happens to ovulation in perimenopauseWhat the gut microbiome has to do with estrogen Why you need to know how you metabolize estrogen The role of inflammation, insulin resistance and TamoxifenThe one thing that you might be missing that can help massively in perimenopauseThe mistake most women make with HRTAlternative treatments for vaginal drynessWhy thrush shifts to BV in perimenopause Where to find Jennifer: Web MenopausenaturalsolutionPodcast Menopause Natural SolutionsFacebook menopausenaturalsolutionsInstagram @menopausenaturalsolutionsYouTube @menopausenaturalsolutionsJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textIt's a broad claim, but if I’m more clear on what is going on now that I’ve done it, I can guarantee you will be if you listen.  Dr Kirstey Holland is a Melbourne, Australia-based doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine who holds a double degree in acupuncture and herbal medicine. She is a practitioner of environmental and nutritional medicine, functional medicine and naturopathy. Her approach to perimenopause is grounded in ancient wisdom, and is personalized for every woman to suit our own unique needs – because we are all different. And she caught my eye on Instagram because not only is she calm, knowledgeable and relatable, she appears to know more about the totality of perimenopause than most of the other doctors on social media. In this podcast, Dr Holland gets at the heart of what is going on with women struggling through this transition with one of the best explanations of what’s happening internally – and how that plays out in our external world – that I’ve ever heard. She explains how this process intersects with the body’s own detoxification process and how we can step up to help, easing our symptoms, reducing inflammation and exposure to future diseases in the process. When you listen to Dr Holland, it becomes clear that in order to experience vitality during this time of transition, it’s essential that we focus on nourishing our brain, gut, adrenals and thyroid. She also talks about everything you need to consider if you are considering hormone therapy, which she is not only taking, but is skilled at prescribing in a tailored and holistic manner. Highlights:The intersection of trauma and perimenopauseWhat is actually happening in our bodies – and how that plays out in our livesWhy cleaning up what we consume is so important at this junctureWhy we need to be careful about alcoholThe vital role of gut healthWhy and how she tests people in perimenopause The essential role of our detox pathwaysWhy we need to “restump the house”Why do so many doctors seem to have orthorexia?Her magic, super-simple nutritional formulaWhy we need to remind ourselves of hunter-gatherersHow she found her voiceWhere to find Dr Holland: Web: Thehollandclinic.comIG: @thehollandclinicJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textA solo episode where I talk about my mom.She died right after she turned 53. I am about to turn 53. This has been a thing. This is a thing for people. Also: the gifts my mom gave me by dying young, the message I want to give you about living courageously, with fear, honoring the ones we love that we lose, energy, breaking generational barriers and some funny stories, possibly involving cakes intentionally made to resemble poop.  Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textMorgan Adams is a holistic sleep coach, with two advanced certifications in sleep science coaching. She works withwomen who struggle to get a good night's sleep consistently. And that is something she knows all about, because she spent almost a decade using prescription sleeping medication, even though she knew that her overall sleep quality suffered. We talk all about her journey to better sleep, her decision to help other people get there too, and how a good night’s sleep actually starts first thing in the morning.Highlights:• The scourge of sleep medication • Why you want to get outside first thing• Yes those sunglasses are cute, but…• Tips to make your phone less attractive • The real problem with social media at night• The role of hormone therapy for sleep in perimenopause • Is biohacking your sleep necessary?And much more…Where to find Morgan: Web: Morganadamswellness.comIG: @morganadams.wellnessJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textDr Quentin Oury is a leading British GP at a busy NHS service with 16,000 patients. He is focused on men’s health, including the areas of erectile dysfunction and low testosterone. He joins me to talk about a topic that doesn't get much air time, but we are slowly starting to hear more about: andropause.Many people don’t even know what the word means, but as Dr Oury explains, it’s a little known fact that men can suffer symptoms very similar to that of peri/menopause as their hormones decline with age. And when you listen to him describe “manopause” as he sees it in his office, and all the challenges that stand in the way of men recognizing that this is a condition that there is a lot of help available for, the parallels to what women have been going through are uncanny. Highlights: How andropause presents – and why it’s confused for other thingsWhy his typical patient is often healthy The typical symptoms – including how it impacts mental healthWhat’s going on, physiologicallyThe testosterone RxHow this area is dramatically understudied – even less than menopauseThe link to diabetes – and to medical problems later onWhy erectile dysfunction and low libido can be a bigger  health issueThe difference in supplementing testosterone for andropause and the dangerous practice of “juicing” for muscle growthWhy women are usually the ones who get men to the doctorWhere to get more informationWhere to find Dr Oury (and more info):Web: H3health.co.ukInstagram: @dr_q_oJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textDr Mary Claire Haver is a Texas-based board-certified ob-gyn and Certified Culinary Medicine specialist. She’s also TikTok’s top menopause doc with two million followers, published The Galveston Diet in January and is working on another book, this one specifically about menopause. I spoke to Dr Haver in early April and we talked about everything from hard times to why she believes every woman should take hormone therapy to reduce their risk of disease. Remember to listen to the disclaimer at the end and remember, this is not medical advice. (For counterpoints on hormone therapy for cardiovascular disease prevention, check out episode 66. For counterpoints on compounded hormones, check out episode 45. For counterpoints on the evolutionary theory of menopause, check out episode 2.)Highlights: How she hit the ground running from her very first TiktokFinding out about the gaps in her own educationWhy menopause gets shoved into a little cornerHow the US healthcare system is preventing better menopause care Why she chose to open a private clinic (and why she knows its elitist)What board-certified means (and why it’s better - even if it still doesn’t have much to do with menopause)How far behind menopause research has been and continues to beHer take on how to find good experts to follow – and how to get better care at the doctor’s officeHer dream for researchHow she prescribes HRT Her take on the progesterone-progestin question (and why she doesn’t like the “demonization” of synthetic hormones)Remembering we are all bio-diverse (and will react to HRT in our own way and need lots of options)How and why she pivoted to a more pro-hormone therapy messageWhy she says hormone therapy prescribing does not require expensive hormone testing – at any stage Her answer to the question: Should women go on hormone therapy for prevention, not symptom treatmentWhy she thinks our generation is having a harder time in this – and how our mothers are guiding our health choices How trauma is impacting our time in menopause Her advice for you if you’re struggling (and some US telehealth recommendations)Where to find Dr Haver:Web: Galvestondiet.comTikTok - @drmaryclaireInstagram - drmaryclaire; the.galveston.dietFacebook - The Galveston Diet Mary Claire Haver,Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textDay raver, cold swimmer, rabble-rouser, educator, author, podcaster, academic and publisher of scientific papers: Joyce Harper is a professor of reproductive science at the Institute for Women's Health, University College London. She’s also author of the 2021 book Your Fertile Years and hosts the podcast Why didn’t anyone tell me this?Harper is uncompromised and unflappable. She is all about the evidence. She’s not opposed to HRT but isn’t a breathless enthusiast either. It has to be about the evidence, she argues, otherwise it’s just stories and anecdotes that don’t add up to anything. NB: We are both members of a balanced-approach group called MenoClarity, and we recorded this podcast before Joyce was quoted in a controversial Daily Mail article alleging excessive and unsafe HRT prescribing practices at a chain of private clinics in the UK. When I followed up with her about it, she said: "We need to give women accurate information about the menopause and treatments. In the UK we've created huge negativity – some suggesting menopause is a disorder. It's not fair to women and I really worry for the next generations who are now nearing menopause. Menopause can be difficult for some. But for most it's a transition and life post menopause can be the most exciting and liberating stage of our lives." (As always, I’m not a medical professional and this podcast is not medical advice.  Expert opinion varies widely. Please listen to the disclaimer at the end podcast as well.) Highlights: • Almost 30 years after she completed her PhD, women still don’t understand their bodies• Why we need to teach people what’s “normal” so they know when to seek help• How she approaches research – and how we need to as well • Her top myths in women’s health and menopause• When you should go on HRT and why dosing matters • How overall health sets you up for perimenopause• Issues with the push for testosterone• Why anecdotes are not research • Her research-based conclusions the claims that can prevent dementia • Why being post-menopause is so great • Her homework assignment for every perimenopausal womanWhere to find Joyce:Web: Joyceharper.com; Globalwomenconnected.comTwitter: @profjoyceharperInstagram @profjoyceharperJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send a textA special episode in which I talk all about being beset with a variety of health problems that could spell trouble, and how that made me feel, and what I was finally able to do about it. This is a podcast for anyone who is trying to get help but is tired, sick and down, or for someone who wants to avoid feeling that way. It's about getting help, making it through, and finally deciding that enough is enough, and you are going to truly do what you have to so you can heal and move forward. Also, my perennial search for a doctor who will help me find some damn HRT continues. Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information