167: Dr Lara Briden unpacks what really matters in midlife

Jul 10, 2025

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In this episode of the Hotflash inc podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen sits down with Dr Lara Briden – a naturopath, women’s health speaker, and author of Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and Metabolism Repair for Women. Together, they unpack some of the buzziest and most confusing midlife health trends: from hormone therapy + GLP-1 combos to supplement overwhelm, vaginal estrogen, and the sudden concern over labia shrinkage.

Dr Briden brings a refreshing and deeply grounded perspective to the conversation, challenging common narratives and reminding us of the biological brilliance of the female body – especially in midlife.

Highlights:

The overhyped narrative about hormone therapy and GLP-1s
What GLP-1 medications really do, and why they’re fascinating to Dr. Briden
Supplements as a security blanket, and why Ann Marie and her friends are rethinking them
Taking a “supplement holiday” – what it is and why it helps
The connection between GLP-1s and gut health
What happens when you go off hormone therapy or GLP-1s?
A naturopath’s minimalist supplement travel kit
Vaginal changes in menopause: what’s real, what’s clickbait
The difference in how men vs women are told to view their bodies as they age
Vaginal estrogen and the truth about genitourinary syndrome of menopause
The bizarre labia shrinkage trend and the pressure of “perfect” body parts
Why menopause is not a mistake of evolution – it’s a feature
The danger of over-identifying with health labels
“Wear it lightly” – a powerful reframe from Dr. Briden
The trend of diagnosing yourself through Instagram
Not everyone suffers in perimenopause – and that’s okay

Sponsor: Shoutout to our sponsor MenoLabs – makers of MenoFit, a science-backed probiotic designed to relieve hot flashes, night sweats and more. Hotflash Inc listeners get 20% off with the code HOTFLASHINC20.

Connect with Dr. Lara Briden:

Website: www.larabriden.com
Instagram: @larabriden
X: @larabriden
Books: Available wherever books are sold, including Bookshop.org, Amazon, and Pan Macmillan

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