Dr. Jen Gunter and Dr. Danielle Belardo debunk myths about menopause and hormone therapy, discuss the prevalence of misinformation in women's health, emphasize the importance of evidence-based information, and criticize the sale of supplements without regulation.
Menopause can cause irregular bleeding up to 10 years before the final period, and non-hormonal methods like Gabapentin and Venlafaxine can help manage symptoms.
The term 'bio-identical' hormone therapy can be misleading as natural levels of hormones during menopause are not high, and focus should be on safety and effectiveness of hormone therapy.
Deep dives
The Importance of Understanding Menopause
In this podcast episode, Dr. Jen Gunter discusses the importance of understanding menopause. She emphasizes that menopause is not often talked about openly and highlights the need for accurate information. Dr. Gunter explains that the most common symptom of menopause is irregular bleeding, which can start up to 10 years before the final period. She also delves into the debate between bioidentical hormone therapy and menopausal hormone therapy. Dr. Gunter advises seeking out a specialist certified by the North American Menopause Society and recommends non-hormonal methods such as Gabapentin and Venlafaxine for managing menopausal symptoms.
Misconceptions about Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy
Dr. Gunter debunks the misconception around bio-identical hormone therapy. She explains that the term 'bio-identical' is often used to imply that the hormones are identical to what the body produces. However, she clarifies that the hormones taken during menopause are not biologically identical since naturally, the body is not supposed to have high levels of hormones at that stage. She also highlights the limitations of creating truly bio-identical hormones in a lab. Dr. Gunter stresses the importance of focusing on whether hormone therapy has been studied, is safe, and is effective.
The Safest Forms of Hormone Therapy
Dr. Gunter discusses the safest forms of hormone therapy during menopause. She explains that transdermal therapy, such as patches or pharmaceutical sprays and lotions, is generally safer compared to oral hormone therapy, which carries a higher risk of blood clots and cardiac problems. Dr. Gunter also mentions the benefits of vaginal estrogen for managing symptoms such as vaginal dryness and bladder infections. She advises against the use of testosterone pellets and emphasizes the importance of differentiating between natural and synthetic hormones.
Navigating Women's Health Information
Dr. Gunter provides tips for women to navigate the plethora of information available online about women's health. She suggests learning how to research health information online and recommends using credible sources such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) when conducting searches. Dr. Gunter emphasizes the importance of evaluating the credibility of providers and avoiding those who sell supplements, recommend testosterone pellets, or focus solely on hormones. She also underscores the significance of incorporating lifestyle factors, such as exercise, into women's health.
Twitter’s resident OB/GYN, pain medicine physician, best-selling author, and the medical misinformation sleuth of the internet, Dr. Jen Gunter is back for round two with Dr. Danielle Belardo for an eye opening conversation about menopause, hormone therapy, medical conspiracy thinking, parasite cleanses, and more. Tune in as Jen and Danielle get to the bottom of women’s health pseudoscience headlines and take the snake oil salesmen and so-called experts *cough*Goop*cough* head on.
Dr. Jen Gunter is the author of The NY Times instant best sellers The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto. She is board-certified in OB/GYN in both Canada and the United States, and in pain medicine by the American Board of Pain Medicine and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Her blog, The Vajenda, is packed full of bias-free content about sex, social media, and science with a healthy dose of humor and feminism.
Myths and misconceptions discussed include:
Bio-identical hormone therapy vs. menopausal hormone therapy
Testosterone pellets, estrogen dosage, and synthetic hormones
The relationship between parasites and PMS
Thank you so much for taking the time to contribute to a generation that values fact over fiction! Be sure to rate, review, and follow on your favorite podcast app and let us know which not-so-wellness trend you’d like to hear debunked. Follow your host on Instagram @daniellebelardomd and the podcast @wellnessfactvsfiction. Follow Jen Gunter @drjengunter.
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