Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified OBGYN and culinary medicine specialist, shares her insights on menopause and women's health. She candidly discusses her own misinterpretations of menopause, linking it to personal loss. Mary delivers compelling arguments against myths surrounding hormone replacement therapy, advocating for its benefits. She also sheds light on how women can still conceive during perimenopause and the urgent need for better education in women's health, creating a supportive community for those navigating this life transition.
Dr. Mary Claire Haver emphasizes the critical need for improved education and training on menopause within the medical community to better serve women during this life stage.
HRT's safety and effectiveness, often misrepresented due to outdated studies, must be re-evaluated to facilitate informed discussions about its role in women's health.
Recognizing perimenopause symptoms as a natural part of aging can empower women to address their health proactively and reduce feelings of isolation during this transition.
Mental health support and open conversations about emotional well-being are essential for women navigating menopausal changes, as hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact mental health.
A holistic approach incorporating nutrition, exercise, and community support is vital for managing menopause symptoms and enhancing overall quality of life during this transition.
Deep dives
Introduction to Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a prominent menopause expert, recognized for her contributions to women's health, particularly during menopause and perimenopause. She holds multiple certifications, including being a certified menopause practitioner and obstetrician-gynecologist, and is a bestselling author of 'The New Menopause' and 'The Galveston Diet.' Her work emphasizes an educational approach to menopause, aiming to inform women of the various mental and physical changes they may face. Haver also utilizes social media as a platform to disseminate helpful information, offering practical tips and resources for women navigating this life stage.
The Importance of Addressing Menopause
Menopause is a significant phase affecting a woman's health for nearly one-third of her life, yet awareness and education surrounding it remain gravely inadequate. Traditional medical training often provides minimal instruction regarding menopause, limiting most practitioners' understanding of the condition and its symptoms. Haver advocates for increased attention to menopause in medical education, as many women report a lack of guidance when seeking help for symptoms related to hormonal changes. This gap in care leads to women being misdirected to specialty clinics rather than receiving holistic care that addresses the complexity of their health concerns.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Insights
HRT is a common treatment for managing menopause symptoms, but misconceptions surrounding its safety and effectiveness persist. Dr. Haver discusses the history of HRT and how pivotal research, such as the Women's Health Initiative, has influenced public perception. She emphasizes the need for informed discussions about the benefits and risks associated with HRT, particularly its potential to improve quality of life and reduce the incidence of chronic diseases in postmenopausal women. Additionally, she clarifies that many fears surrounding HRT stem from outdated studies that have not been re-evaluated in light of new evidence.
Understanding Perimenopause Symptoms
Perimenopause is a transitional phase leading up to menopause itself, often marked by a myriad of symptoms that can be both physically and emotionally challenging for women. Common symptoms may include irregular periods, anxiety, weight gain, and cognitive changes such as brain fog. Dr. Haver highlights the importance of recognizing these symptoms as part of the natural aging process rather than isolating them as distinct medical issues. Education on perimenopause can empower women to address their health proactively and reduce feelings of isolation during this transition.
Impact of Menopause on Mental Health
Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can significantly affect women's mental health, increasing the risk of conditions such as anxiety and depression. Dr. Haver points out that the mental toll often goes unrecognized, contributing to shame and frustration among women experiencing these changes. She stresses the need for mental health support during this phase, advocating for open conversations about emotional well-being. Addressing mental health can help women find coping strategies that enhance their overall quality of life.
The Role of Lifestyle and Nutrition
Dr. Haver integrates discussions about lifestyle and nutrition into her approach to managing menopause symptoms, stressing their vital role in overall health. She emphasizes that maintaining a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals can help mitigate some menopausal symptoms and promote better health outcomes. Additionally, regular exercise, particularly strength training, is highlighted as important for maintaining bone density and muscle mass, which often decline during menopause. In her view, a holistic approach incorporating diet, exercise, and mental health support is key to thriving during this life transition.
Sexual Health and Desire in Menopause
Menopause can lead to changes in sexual health, including decreased libido and painful intercourse due to vaginal atrophy. Dr. Haver advocates for the use of localized hormone therapies, such as vaginal estrogen, which can safely restore vaginal health and improve sexual function. She emphasizes the importance of open dialogue about sexual health, highlighting that many women suffer in silence about these changes. Empowering women to seek help in this area can enhance intimacy and improve relationship satisfaction during and after the menopause transition.
Future of Menopause Care
The landscape of menopause care is evolving, with an increasing number of practitioners recognizing the need for specialized training in menopause medicine. Dr. Haver encourages women to seek out providers who are certified and well-versed in menopausal health to ensure they receive appropriate care. Additionally, she highlights the growing role of telemedicine in providing accessible menopause care, especially for those living in underserved areas. By pushing for more trained providers and better patient education, the future of menopause care can become more supportive and empowering.
The Importance of Community in Menopause
Dr. Haver notes that community support is vital for women going through menopause, as many feel isolated in their experiences. She encourages women to connect with each other to share both struggles and successes during this transition. Building a network where women can openly discuss their experiences can reduce stigma and foster understanding. This sense of community is instrumental in creating an environment where women feel empowered to seek help and guidance regarding their health and well-being.
Mary Claire Haver (The New Menopause, The ‘Pause Life) is a board-certified OBGYN, culinary medicine specialist, and best-selling author. Mary Claire joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how she ended up as one of eight children to restauranteur parents, the reason she became an OBGYN being that delivering babies never gets old, and how she misinterpreted her own menopause as grief amid the death of her brother. Mary Claire and Dax talk about the untenable claims of the study that HRT gives women cancer, her argument that hormone replacement therapy is the longevity drug for women, and a hormonal solution to reverse declining libido as one reaches menopausal age. Mary Claire explains why women can still get pregnant during perimenopause, the woeful lack of information and training received by medical professionals when it comes to women’s health, and the hive of practitioners she helped crowdsource to meet the needs of the menopausal community.
Follow Armchair Expert on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Armchair Expert early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/ now.
