unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver

Louisa Nicola, neurophysiologist, Alzheimer’s researcher and former world-class triathlete, studies how sleep, hormones and exercise shape women’s brains. She explains how Alzheimer’s pathology builds decades early. Short segments cover hormone loss in perimenopause, sleep’s role clearing proteins, why women are at higher risk, and how resistance training, nutrition, and timely hormone strategies may help.

Rachel Rubin, board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist, breaks down why women's sexual health is undertrained and underfunded. She explains full clitoral anatomy, vestibule pain, hormone-driven genital changes, and practical local hormone treatments. The conversation also covers gaps in research, surgical risks from poor anatomy knowledge, and paths to better diagnosis and care.

Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, an orthopedic surgeon from Duke University and co-author of The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan, shares vital insights on women's musculoskeletal health during menopause. She discusses how exercise significantly reduces fracture risk, regardless of bone density declines. Key topics include the importance of estrogen, the role of testosterone in arthritis, and the necessity of an anti-inflammatory diet. Wittstein emphasizes practical step-by-step protocols, highlighting that a balanced lifestyle is crucial for maintaining strong bones and joints.

In a captivating discussion, Dr. Jocelyn Ross Wittstein, an orthopedic surgeon and researcher, sheds light on the surprising connection between frozen shoulder and menopause. With her expertise, she explains how declining estrogen uniquely affects women's joints, particularly in midlife. Dr. Wittstein highlights early detection signs of frozen shoulder and stresses the importance of timely steroid treatments. She also discusses the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause, urging awareness of osteoporosis as a critical women's health issue. Prepare to rethink joint health!

Sally Wainwright, an award-winning British television writer known for her acclaimed series like Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack, dives into her new BBC series Riot Women, spotlighting midlife women's experiences. She candidly discusses her personal battles with menopause, dubbing it 'identity theft.' Sally emphasizes the importance of portraying authentic female characters who navigate grief and joy. The conversation touches on the creative process, the challenges of funding female-centric stories, and how writing became a therapeutic outlet for understanding midlife transitions.

Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a board-certified oncologist and author of "It's All in Her Head," tackles the deep-seated issue of medical gaslighting in women's healthcare. She shares a poignant story of a dying patient apologizing for sweating, highlighting the shame many women feel in medical settings. Comen explores historical biases against women, from cardiac misconceptions to the dismissal of autoimmune diseases. She emphasizes the need for better understanding and addressing women's health issues, urging for systemic change. Her insights pave a hopeful path forward.

Delve into the often-overlooked phases of menopause, starting as early as your mid-30s. Discover how brain fog and anxiety might be the first signs of perimenopause, rather than physical symptoms. Learn about the 40-plus potential symptoms of menopause, including unexpected weight gain and joint pain. Dr. Haver highlights crucial hormone therapy options for mental health, and addresses common concerns about vaginal health. Plus, find insights into testosterone's role in libido and overall well-being during this significant life transition.

Divorce rates for people over 50 have doubled since the 1990s, and women are initiating the majority of them. What's really driving this shift? In this episode of unPAUSED, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with family law attorney and broadcaster Jenny Hutt to discuss the facts, finances, and fallout of midlife divorce. Jenny Hutt is a family law attorney specializing in divorce and mediation in New York, and she spent two decades as a broadcaster on SiriusXM. She's one of Dr. Haver's earliest supporters, and she brings both personal experience and professional insight to this conversation about a controversial topic relating to women's health: the connection between menopause and divorce. Dr. Haver and Jenny start with the facts: the statistics behind gray divorce, why women are initiating most of them, and what's really happening beyond the oversimplification of "dry vagina" causing divorces. They discuss feeling unsupported, undervalued, and reaching a breaking point after years of caregiving. They also dive into finances: what every woman should know about her money whether she's thinking about divorce or not, the three things to do if you're considering divorce, the difference between mediation and legal representation, how to protect inheritance, and the details around a postnuptial agreement. They also address the financial reality that women's household income drops 41% on average after divorce compared to 23% for men. Finally, they explore the fallout: the stress on the sandwich generation of caring for aging parents while raising children, how trauma strains marriages, rebuilding identity after a long marriage, the shame women feel, and why the other side of divorce can bring unexpected peace and freedom. Guest links: Jennifer Hutt  Just Jenny Podcast (Apple Podcasts) Jennifer Koppleman Hutt (Wisselman Harounian Family Law) Jenny Hutt (e-mail) Jenny Hutt (Instagram) Other Resources U.S. Divorce Rates Down, Marriage Rates Stagnant From 2012-2022 (U.S. Census Bureau) Women More Likely Than Men to Initiate Divorces, But Not Non-Marital Breakups (American Sociological Association) Books“The Galveston Diet: The Doctor-Developed, Patient-Proven Plan to Burn Fat and Tame Your Hormonal Symptoms,” by Dr. Mary Claire Haver “The New Perimenopause,”⁠ by Dr. Mary Claire Haver ⁠"The New Menopause"⁠ by Dr. Mary Claire Haver To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tamsen Fadal, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and menopause advocate, shares her transformative journey after experiencing menopause symptoms on live TV. She reveals the struggles of misdiagnoses and her emotional response to finally receiving a menopause diagnosis. Tamsen discusses her groundbreaking PBS documentary, The M Factor, and how the viral trailer led to community support and screenings worldwide. She emphasizes the need for better education on menopause, encourages women to advocate for their health, and highlights the importance of finding purpose after 50.

Dr. Lauren Streicher, a prominent professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and sexual medicine expert, joins to discuss the chronic taboos of sexual function post-menopause. She reveals why vibrators often outperform other methods for arousal and dives into the mechanics of arousal creams and CBD oil. The conversation includes insights on the roles of neurotransmitters, FDA-approved libido drugs, and the benefits versus risks of testosterone. Dr. Streicher emphasizes redefining sexual success beyond orgasm and finding qualified specialists in sexual medicine.