Dr. Louann Brizendine, a neuropsychiatrist and founder of the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF, discusses her insights on perimenopause and menopause based on her latest book. She reframes these life transitions as powerful opportunities for growth. Key topics include hormone fluctuations affecting sleep and the importance of lifestyle choices. Brizendine also addresses misconceptions from the Women's Health Initiative regarding hormone therapy, advocating for better understanding of women's health during these stages.
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insights INSIGHT
Hormones Drive Behavior and Transition
Hormones guide female behavior especially during fertility years with unconscious changes.
The transition to midlife is a new developmental stage called the upgrade, offering renewed authenticity.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Midlife Health's Three Pillars
Sleep, exercise, and diet are the three legs of the midlife health stool.
Avoid caffeine after noon to improve sleep due to hormone fluctuations in midlife.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Manage Alcohol for Better Sleep
For better sleep, consume alcohol early by 6 or 6:30 p.m. to allow metabolism before bedtime.
Abstinence from alcohol may be necessary for women struggling with mood and sleep during the transition.
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How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond
Louann Brizendine
In 'The Upgrade', Louann Brizendine delves into the changes and opportunities that arise in the female brain during midlife. She challenges the negative perceptions of menopause, presenting it instead as a period of potential growth and empowerment. The book covers a range of topics, including hormonal changes, cognitive function, emotional well-being, and relationships. Brizendine offers practical advice and strategies for women to optimize their brain health and overall quality of life during this stage. By providing a positive and informative perspective, 'The Upgrade' encourages women to embrace midlife as a time of personal evolution and renewed purpose. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, connection, and continued learning.
The Female Brain
Louann Brizendine
I was happy to connect with Dr. Louann Brizendine today! She is the founder of the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF. She completed her degree in Neurobiology at the University of California, Berkeley, graduated from Yale School of Medicine, and completed her internship and residency at Harvard Medical School. She also served on the faculty of Harvard University and the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Brizendine founded the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF. Her New York Times bestseller, The Female Brain, and its follow-up, The Male Brain, continue to be read worldwide.
Today, we dive deeply into her new book, The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond, which was released in April 2022.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
The transition and the upgrade stage of life explained
Celebrating the transitional time of life and not fearing it
How hormones help guide behavior
Transition Stages 1,2,3 and what they mean
Then onward to the 3 stages of "The Upgrade"
Estrogen fluctuations that affect sleep
Be aware of caffeine in your food and drinks and how it may affect your sleep.
If you are having a problem staying asleep, you may want to cut back on alcohol or drink it earlier in the day.
The Women’s Health Initiative - (almost 20 years ago) disastrous misinterpretations and negative implications it caused by instilling fear in women to not use Estrogen - including osteoporosis, brain fog, anxiety, and sleep disruptions
Hormone Replacement Therapy - now viewed as a positive and much-needed step in women’s health
Women between the ages of 40-50 should get a bone density scan as one of the determining factors of whether or not to begin hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Brizendine suggests that women should not be fearful of using therapies today to help balance hormones.
Cynthia discusses the loss of cognition later in life as another correlative symptom of not receiving needed hormones.
Dr. Brizendine advocates doing your own research regarding HRT and not depending only on information from major pharmaceutical companies.
Cynthia and Dr. Brizendine discuss the importance of keeping an open mind when it comes to synthetic hormones because of the good they can do.
If you are not well and do not feel like you can go on, please, immediately, seek out a doctor who can prescribe medications or hormones to help your particular and unique situation. Be your best and do not suffer in silence any longer.
Cynthia says the transitional time of life should and can be a very good time in your life.
Consider reading Dr. Brizendine’s book(s) to learn more and to keep it as a valuable resource.
Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™ 