Moment 160: Menopause Expert: They're Not Telling You The Full Truth! "No Ones Talking About This": Mary Claire Haver
May 3, 2024
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Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a menopause expert, reveals the untold truths about menopause, highlighting the lack of understanding and awareness in society. She emphasizes the impact of dropping estrogen levels on various organ systems in women's bodies, aiming to validate women's experiences and debunk the myth that symptoms are psychological. The podcast sheds light on the challenges women face during menopause, discussing the evolutionary reasons behind it and the systemic failures in menopause care.
Declining estrogen levels in menopause impact various organ systems, not just hot flashes.
Women's validation in experiencing menopause symptoms is crucial for acknowledging individualized impacts and seeking support.
Deep dives
Impact of Menopause on Women's Health
Menopause, affecting about a third of women globally, is no longer viewed as a minor issue, with symptoms extending beyond hot flashes and night sweats. Women's health is significantly impacted by declining estrogen levels, affecting various organ systems like the genital urinary system, bones, mental health, skin, and even leading to symptoms like vertigo and frozen shoulder. The validation women seek, after years of being dismissed, is crucial in acknowledging the broad spectrum of symptoms and the individualized impact of menopause on each woman.
Evolving Phases of Menopause
Perimenopause, the stage before menopause, can start 7 to 10 years earlier, causing irregular periods, heavy bleeding, and other symptoms as the predictable hormonal balance starts to fail. Menopause occurs when ovulation stops, typically around age 51, leading to a decline in estrogen and testosterone, resulting in muscle loss, changes in sexual function, and mental health challenges. Post-menopause, the phase after menopause, continues without menstruation, while symptoms like hot flashes may subside, other aspects progress in a linear fashion.
Medical System and Menopause
The medical approach to menopause has historically been lacking, with a systemic problem of insufficient training and understanding among healthcare providers. The societal value and support for women experiencing menopause is criticized, highlighting a gap in addressing women's health adequately. The backlash from the Women's Health Initiative study in 2002 affected training in hormone replacement therapy. Despite misconceptions, hormone replacement therapy is recognized as safe and effective for most women, playing a significant role in improving their quality of life.
In this moment, menopause expert, Dr Mary Claire Haver reveals what people don’t understand about the menopause. Right now, about a third of the female population of the world is in some stage of the menopause, however doctors aren’t fully trained to treat it and society is unaware of it’s impacts. A major piece of knowledge that people lack is that there are estrogen receptors in every organ system of the female body, so when estrogen levels drop with the menopause it can have a huge variety of impacts, varying from person to person. Mary believes that giving people this knowledge can help women feel validated and that they aren’t crazy, believing that these symptoms were all in their head.