Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

The Upsides of Menopause (Lisa Mosconi, PhD)

Mar 14, 2024

Neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi, PhD, discusses menopause as a natural phase similar to puberty, challenging misconceptions. She emphasizes accurate information and positive perspectives on hormonal shifts and brain function. Insights on cognitive health, hormone therapy, and controversial HRT benefits are explored. Embracing menopause as a renewal phase and societal conditioning differences are highlighted with gratitude to sponsors.

01:06:01

Episode guests

Lisa Mosconi

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Menopause is a natural phase with familiar symptoms similar to puberty or pregnancy, requiring accurate information for effective navigation.

Hormones, especially estrogen, play a crucial role in brain health during menopause, highlighting the potential benefits of designer estrogen Phytocera.

Evolution of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) challenges past misconceptions and emphasizes a nuanced approach to hormone therapy for menopausal women.

Deep dives

Understanding Menopause Symptoms and Solutions

Menopause is a natural phase with familiar symptoms similar to puberty or pregnancy. Neuroscientist Lisa Moscone emphasizes the importance of accurate information to navigate menopause effectively to avoid decisions fueled by fear over fact. She sheds light on the evolutionary significance of empathic and cognitive changes post-menopause, highlighting the potential benefits beyond the commonly discussed challenges.

Introduction

2min

Navigating Menopause: Understanding the Female Brain

19min

Exploring Gendered Perspectives and Brain Changes from Hormone Therapy

4min

Menopause and Cognitive Health

9min

Exploring the Controversies of Hormone Replacement Therapy and Women's Health Initiative

4min

Historical Perspective and Shift in Recommendations for Hormone Replacement Therapy

3min

Exploring Designer Estrogen and HRT Risks

6min

Embracing Menopause: Finding Strength and Renewal

19min

Exploring Societal Expectations and Gratitude Towards Sponsors

3min

Neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi, PhD currently has 11 grants—including four from the NIH—to study Alzheimers, menopause, and the female brain. Dr. Mosconi is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience in Neurology and Radiology at Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), and the Director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at WCM/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. The program includes the Women’s Brain Initiative, the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic, and the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinical Trials Unit.

There are many things to love about Dr. Mosconi and her work—one, that she’s focused on an underserved group, i.e. women, but also because her insights dramatically expand the way we’ve been conditioned to understand these hormonal shifts in our lives. The picture she paints of the female brain is not only fascinating, but it’s inspiring: As we age and move through stages, our brains continually remodel, becoming leaner, meaner, and more empathic. The female brain is…formidable. There are also many things we can do to make these turbulent transitions slightly smoother sailing, which we dive into throughout our conversation. Let’s turn to it now.

MORE FROM LISA MOSCONI, PhD:

The Menopause Brain: New Science Empowers Women to Navigate the Pivotal Transition with Knowledge and Power

The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power

Lisa’s Website

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