Unlocking Your Menopause Type with Dr. Heather Hirsch
Nov 22, 2023
auto_awesome
Dr. Heather Hirsch, an internal medicine doctor specializing in menopause care, discusses the six menopause types, personalized treatments, hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, lifestyle changes, and the role of social support. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your menopause type and offers resources like a quiz and book to help navigate this unique journey.
Personalized menopause care is crucial, with distinct menopause types requiring tailored approaches.
Hormone replacement therapy is important for women experiencing premature, early, and sudden menopause.
Full throttle menopause and mind-altering menopause types often benefit from hormone therapy to alleviate symptoms and improve well-being.
Deep dives
Overview of the Well Beyond 40 podcast
The Well Beyond 40 podcast, hosted by JJ Virgin, aims to simplify and synthesize the science of health into actionable strategies for thriving. The podcast explores various topics within the realm of wellness, including personalized nutrition, healing metabolism, healthy aging, and prescriptive fitness. JJ Virgin invites experts to share insights and information to help listeners improve their health, enhance physical appearance, and boost energy levels. In this episode, Dr. Heather Hirsch discusses her book, 'Unlock Your Menopause Type,' and the importance of personalized menopause care. She identifies six different menopause types and provides a guidebook with a quiz for identifying one's type. Dr. Hirsch emphasizes the significance of hormone therapy and shares evidence to dispel common misconceptions. Listeners are encouraged to take the quiz, explore the guidebook, and consider individualized approaches to menopause care.
Understanding Premature and Sudden Menopause Types
Premature menopause refers to menopause occurring before the age of 40, while early menopause occurs before 45. Dr. Heather Hirsch highlights the importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for these types as they are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and worsening quality of life. Sudden menopause is commonly induced by drastic factors such as cancer treatments or ovarian removal. The best course of action for sudden menopause is dependent on individual circumstances, and discussions with healthcare professionals are essential to determine whether HRT is appropriate. Dr. Hirsch emphasizes the need for personalized care for women experiencing these menopause types.
Exploring the Full Throttle Menopause Type
Full throttle menopause refers to the experience of intense symptoms affecting multiple aspects of life simultaneously. Dr. Heather Hirsch highlights that hormonal therapy is often recommended for this menopause type, as its benefits tend to outweigh the risks when initiated within 10 years of menopause. While lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, and exercise affect menopause experiences, Dr. Hirsch emphasizes that the underlying physiological changes during menopause demand attention and may not be resolved solely through lifestyle modifications. Thus, personalized approaches that incorporate hormone therapy are often necessary for women experiencing full throttle menopause.
Understanding the Mind-Altering and Seemingly Never-Ending Menopause Types
Dr. Heather Hirsch introduces the mind-altering menopause type, which is characterized by mental health changes, including depression, lack of motivation, and mood swings. HRT is often recommended and has shown to significantly improve mental well-being. The seemingly never-ending menopause type refers to women experiencing long-lasting symptoms beyond the expected timeframe. While 10% of women may experience symptoms that persist throughout their lives, interventions such as hormone therapy can still be beneficial. Dr. Hirsch notes that women in this category should navigate their decision-making process based on their symptoms, risks, and overall health. She encourages dialogue with healthcare professionals and highlights the importance of considering symptoms beyond the typical hot flashes and disturbed sleep patterns.
Silent Menopause Type and the Importance of Evaluation
Dr. Heather Hirsch describes the silent menopause type, where women may not experience typical symptoms like hot flashes but still undergo significant physiological changes. Regular evaluation of biomarkers such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and bone mineral density are key in understanding how the body changes during this type of menopause. Hirsch emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these silent symptoms through personalized approaches. She encourages individuals to consider hormone therapy and explore other interventions to maintain optimal health during silent menopause.
All women aren’t the same, so why is our menopause treatment? When you understand your menopause type, it doesn’t have to be.
Join me for this unmissable conversation with internal medicine doctor Heather Hirsch about her groundbreaking approach to personalizing menopause care. She explains the six menopause types, hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, mission-critical lifestyle changes to make during menopause, the role of social support, and more.
Plus, you’ll learn about the telling symptoms you might be overlooking.
If you’re approaching or experiencing menopause, you do not want to miss this!
Study: Scientific Reports: Oral micronized progesterone for perimenopausal night sweats and hot flushes a Phase III Canada-wide randomized placebo-controlled 4-month trial: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35826-w
26:30 - Study: Maturitas: Effect of Menopausal Hormone Therapy on Arterial Wall Echomorphology: Results from the Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol (ELITE): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9232990/