BETTER! Building bodies women can trust with Dr. Stephanie Estima

This episode is essential for millions of women who’ve been on antidepressants for years or even decades. Dr. Mark Horowitz https://www.outro.com/about/outro, a British-Australian psychiatry researcher, neuroscientist, and lead author of clinical deprescribing guidelines, offers an honest conversation about the science, marketing myths, and long-term effects of antidepressants, including emotional numbing, weight gain, disrupted sleep, and cognitive changes. Dr. Horowitz explains the difference between addiction and physical dependence, why withdrawal symptoms are often mistaken for relapse, and the evidence-based method of hyperbolic tapering. Whether you’ve been on an antidepressant for two years or twenty, you’ll leave with smart questions for your prescriber, a clear sense of your own readiness, and reassurance that tapering off slowly and carefully has a success rate of over 90%. Episode Overview: (0:00) Intro/Teaser (6:00) Midlife Misdiagnosis (11:00) How Life Events Became Medicalized and Why That Matters (18:00) Long-Term Side Effects (27:00) The Serotonin Hypothesis (31:00) Addiction vs. Physical Dependence (39:00) Withdrawal vs. Relapse: How to Tell the Difference (49:00) Hyperbolic Tapering Explained (57:00) How to Know if You're Ready to Come Off Your Antidepressant (1:10:00) What to Say to Your Doctor (1:17:00) The After-Party with Dr. Stephanie Resources mentioned: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep461 We couldn’t do it without our sponsors: HIGHER DOSE - If you’re noticing thinning, shedding, or simply want to support scalp and hair health proactively, this is a powerful addition to your routine. Get 15% off at https://higherdose.com with code BETTER at checkout. LMNT - Rehydrate with the perfect mix of sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Get a free sample pack at https://drinklmnt.com/drestima TIMELINE  - We know we are in a fight against time to preserve our muscle strength and endurance, plus our recovery needs are greater. That's why you save 20% at https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER. KENETIK - You think carefully about how you fuel your body but are you fueling your brain? Learn more and try it for yourself by going to https://drinkkenetik.com/BETTER and use code BETTER for 15% off. ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tommy Wood, neuroscientist and author of The Stimulated Mind, studies brain health across the lifespan. He argues movement is nonnegotiable for aging brains. Short bursts, resistance work, and open-skill activities like dancing or racket sports each protect different brain systems. He also covers nutrition basics, strength targets, and how learning new skills and failing drive plasticity.

Kyal Van Der Leest, nutritionist, naturopath, and founder of LvLUp Health, specializes in peptides and nutraceuticals. He explains oral versus injectable peptides and why many orals fail. He highlights BPC-157 for gut, joint, and brain support. He covers GHK-Cu for skin and longevity, GLP-1 microdosing, midlife body composition shifts, and mold’s hidden health effects.

Dr. Majid Fotuhi, neurologist and author focused on brain resilience and Alzheimer’s prevention, explains why midlife forgetfulness is often perimenopause, not dementia. He discusses how walking and targeted exercise can grow your brain. He highlights hormones, hearing and vision, neuroplasticity, and simple lifestyle steps that boost memory and brain health.

Tendons explained as springy collagen ropes and why their slow adaptation makes them injury-prone. The four-step rehab plan: load management, isometrics, heavy slow resistance, then elastic progressions. Why muscles can outpace tendons around six weeks and how that creates the “lifting heavy” trap. Special focus on common pains after 40 and hormone-linked tendon vulnerability.

Maria Sophocles, a board-certified OB/GYN and menopause specialist, explores the “bedroom gap” and how midlife hormonal and cultural shifts affect women's sexual agency. She discusses menopause physiology, systemic vs vaginal estrogen, nonhormonal options, communication strategies, and ways to redefine pleasure and intimacy at any age.

Ready for the breast health conversation nobody's having? Harvard-trained breast radiologist Dr. Lilian Ebuoma gives a masterclass that covers everything from why your daughter might be developing breast buds at 7 (spoiler: it's not just you) to the real deal on mammograms, dense breasts, and that one lifestyle change that drops breast cancer risk by 25%. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, worried about lumps, confused about nipple discharge colours (yes, there's a rainbow), or just want to understand your breasts better—this episode gives you the knowledge and confidence to advocate for yourself. Plus, Dr. Lilian shares the one question that transforms patient care and builds trust across cultural divides. If you own breasts or care about someone who does, press play. Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate): (0:00) Intro/Teaser (4:00) Breast Development (12:00) Breast Pain: Cyclical vs Non-Cyclical (16:00) Lumps & Self-Exams (27:00) Nipple Discharge (33:00) Mastitis (38:00) Dense Breasts & Mammography Myths (41:00) Compression, Radiation & Mammograms (54:00) Lifestyle as Prevention (58:00) Finding Joy in Movement (1:05:00) Building Trust Across Cultural Divides (1:09:00) “What Are You Afraid Of?” (1:11:00) The After-Party with Dr. Stephanie Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep455 We couldn’t do it without our sponsors BON CHARGE - Achieve glowing skin, gain more energy, and uplevel your recovery practice with a suite of red light products. Get 15% off at https://boncharge.com/better with code BETTER. JUST THRIVE HEALTH - Take the Just Thrive FEEL BETTER challenge today, and save 20% on your first order. Go to https://justthrivehealth.com/better and use the code BETTER to see the difference for yourself or get a full product refund, no questions asked. TIMELINE - As perimenopausal women, we know we are in a fight against time to preserve our muscle strength and endurance, plus our recovery needs are greater. That's why you save 20% at https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER. COZY EARTH - Cozy Earth helps you feel better by keeping your temperature perfect overnight to facilitate deep restorative sleep. Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code BETTER for up to 20% off. AG1 - Subscribe today to get a 1-month supply of AG Omega-3 with your first AG1 order! You’ll also get their Welcome Kit with everything you need to get you started. Get it now at https://drinkag1.com/stephanie. ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Doug Lucas, a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon and osteoporosis specialist, who dives into the secrets of maintaining optimal bone health. In this episode, you will discover why bone health is vital for women of all ages and learn actionable tips to build and maintain strong bones from your teens to your golden years. Brace yourself for intriguing insights, such as the surprising benefits of prunes as an independent intervention for osteoporosis! This episode is a comprehensive guide to nurturing your bones through diet, exercise, and hormonal balance.Episode Overview [Timestamps are approximate]:(0:00) Introduction(4:00) Why Women Get Osteoporosis in Their 40s(11:00) The Chronic Dieting Problem & Under-Eating Epidemic(17:00) Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Bone Density(23:00) Hormones Explained(34:00) Nutrition for Bone Health(43:00) The Boron Secret & Prunes for Bone Density(47:00) Exercise That Hurts Your Bones(55:00) How to Lift Weights for Bone Health(1:04:00) Weighted Vests, GLP-1s & Bone Medications(1:23:00) The After-Party with Dr. StephanieResources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep454We couldn’t do it without our sponsors:TROSCRIPTIONS - There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give it a try at https://troscriptions.com/BETTER or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order.PIQUE LIFE - If you want to redefine your evening ritual and still feel like yourself the next day, you can get 10% off for life. Yes, for life at https://piquelife.com/betterYOUNG GOOSE - Youth Serum & Youth Moisturizer from Young Goose is designed to support NAD⁺-dependent cellular pathways in the skin. Go to https://younggoose.com/better and use code BETTER for 10% off your first purchaseLIFT - If you want muscle for longevity, clarity, and confidence—come LIFT with me.  Head over to https://drstephanieestima.com/lift and join today.QUALIA NAD+ - Boost energy, DNA health, and cellular protection. Save 15% at https://qualialife.com/better with code BETTER. ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"Estrogen is not a hormone; it's a family of hormones,” says Dr. Felice Gersh. “You can't say fat does this or fat does that—you have to say which fat. The same with estrogen.” That’s right, she is back to challenge the conventional "lowest dose for the shortest time" approach to menopausal hormone therapy, explore why menopause creates a default pro-inflammatory state, how different estrogens activate different receptors, and why understanding these distinctions matters for cardiovascular health, bone density, brain function, immune response, and metabolic health.Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):(0:00) Intro/Teaser(2:00) Welcome to an Estrogen Masterclass(6:00) The Estrogen Family: E1, E2, E3, E4 Explained(15:00) Alpha vs. Beta Receptors & Why It Matters(27:00) Menopause, Inflammation & Gut Health(33:00) Menopause as a Hormone Deficiency State(45:00) Why the Women’s Health Initiative Got It Wrong(59:00) When to Start Hormone Therapy (Age 35?)(1:13:00) Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones(1:22:00) Vaginal Estrogen: Canary in the Coal Mine(1:32:00) BiEst & Topical Estrogen for Skin(1:40:00) After Party: Dr. Stephanie’s TakeawaysResources mentioned in this episode can be found at: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep453We are grateful to our sponsors:KENETIK - You think carefully about how you fuel your body but are you fueling your brain? Learn more about Kenetik and try it for yourself by going to https://drinkkenetik.com/BETTER and use code BETTER for 15% off your purchase.TIMELINE - A new year means a new gym membership - but you can’t out-train low energy; it starts deeper than that. So grab 35% off your one-month subscription of Mitopure Gummies at https://Timeline.com/BETTER35 while the offer lasts.BIOPTIMIZERS - Your digestion can take a hit in midlife, but you don't have to suffer. Learn how enzymes can help at https://bioptimizers.com/better and use code BETTER to get 10% off your order.ONESKIN - Harness the power of peptides for fuller hair and glowing skin. Save 15% at https://oneskin.co/better with code BETTER. ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Meghan Rabbitt, award-winning health journalist and author of The New Rules of Women's Health, breaks down what's been overlooked in medicine. She explores why heart disease is women’s top killer. She reveals the clitoris is far more complex than a “button.” She discusses the midlife surge in autoimmune conditions and why menopause deserves better framing.