Demystifying Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in Menopause with Sharon Malone

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Should you use it for your perimenopause or menopause symptoms? Does it prevent dementia? Heart disease? Is it safe? Who should and who shou;dn’t take it? Join me for this powerful conversation with Dr. Sharon Malone, an OB-GYN with 30 years of clinical experience - and an advocate for menopause awareness, and I explore these questions. In this episode we unpack: Rethinking aging and embracing the power of menopause - and why Dr. Malone has found this to be the most freeing and joyful phase of her lifeThe controversies surrounding hormone replacement therapy, and the research that led to all of the confusion about its use.The "window of opportunity" for starting HRT, who gets the most benefits, and what symptoms and conditions it’s truly useful for. Navigating the potential risks of HRT, including the comparable risks of drinking two glasses of wine - so you can make the most informed decisions about your options The difference between being pro-hormone and anti-suffering for women in menopauseWhy it’s important to be wary when it comes to ‘celebrity endorsed’  information on menopausal therapiesDr. Malone offers invaluable advice on navigating the symptoms of menopause with grace, while empowering you with the knowledge and confidence to make the best health decisions for during the menopause transition.Mentioned in this episode:The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn moreLooking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsMentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

In this must-listen episode I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Lisa Mosconi, a leading neuroscientist and author of The Menopause Brain,  and my friend, back to On Health to demystify the profound impact of menopause on the female brain. Dr. Mosconi offers invaluable insights into how menopause is more than a hormonal shift - it's a significant neuroendocrine change, and a potentially very important and powerful time in our lives. We dive deep into:How perimenopause and menopause really impacts the female brain - including the role of estrogen during this timeCommon cognitive symptoms of perimenopause and menopause including brain fog, sleep problems, and memory lapsesWhy it might be that women in cultures that see menopause more positively have fewer symptomsThe powerful role 'older women' can play as leaders, providers, and guides in families, communities, and societyThe pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including it’s role in Alzheimer’s preventionThe supportive role of nutrients, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids for women's brain healthThe importance of access to a wide variety of options so that we can pick what's best for us in feeling our best in menopause.Knowledge is power. Understanding menopause's impact on the brain allows us to make informed choices, turning a phase often approached with dread into an opportunity for empowerment and well-being. Join us to transform how you think about menopause and prioritize your brain health through this pivotal time - whatever age you are - because it’s never too early to start protecting your beautiful brain! Mentioned in this episode:The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn moreLooking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsMentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsThe Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

The teen years are a trope and a meme in our culture. We’re inevitably warned the minute we have a baby and admire her cute little face at a family gathering, in a restaurant, waiting in the checkout at the grocery: Just wait until she’s - or he’s -  a teen. And it’s no wonder - the teen years - which we all remember too - are fraught with big changes: big hormonal shifts, changes in our neurobiology, changes in how we see our place in the world, changes in how we see our parents. It’s complicated. And it’s become more complicated - for both teens and their parents- in recent years. If you read the news, and certainly if you’re a parent, you can’t have missed the many headlines that have come out in recent years, from the impact of social media on our daughters,  the impact of lockdown during COVID on our teen's mental health, and complicated issues around gender and identity. My guest, Dr. Lisa Damour, is here to help us unpack the mystery of teenagers and to support parents of teens. This is a must listen even if you still just have a babe in arms, or if you’re a grandparent, auntie, or healthcare provider. Mentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsThe Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn more

Welcome to On Health where today I talk about understanding stress during pregnancy, bust myths, and share real tips to take care of yourself before and when the stress hits the fan.In this episode I explore: The impact of how we talk about stress in pregnancy and its effects on moms-to-be onWhy it's important to understand stress during pregnancyThe pressure to always feel happy when you're pregnant and the guilt unrealistic expectations cause pregnant women to feelWhat stress really is, including the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ kindsWhy some stress is normal during pregnancy - and why you're not doing anything wrongWhat studies say about stress and how it can affect your pregnancy and your babyThe most common causes of stress in pregnancySpotting stress signs and trying out stress-busters like meditation or yogaThe importance of sleep, staying active, eating well, and finding folks to talk toHow talking to your midwife, doctor, or a mental health pro can be a big help- and what they need to know, tooWhy you’re taking care of you is taking care of your baby tooThank you for listening to the On Health Podcast. And please remember to treat yourself with kindness and love through your pregnancy journey - and beyond, and share this with a mama who you think would appreciate hearing this today.Mentioned in this episode:The Mama Pathway is not your average childbirth education program. It's a powerful virtual membership community and online education experience where traditional midwifery wisdom and modern medicine meet to support you on your most empowered path through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Go to https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway to learn moreLooking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Jillian Turecki, my guest for this On Health episode, is a beacon of light and a font of love and wisdom. A certified relationship coach, teacher, and writer with over 20 years of experience, she's fueled by an insatiable curiosity about what makes a relationship thrive, and she's helped thousands through her teaching and writing revolutionize their relationship with themselves so they can transform their relationships with others.In this episode Jillian and I get real about what it takes to have a thriving relationship, how this starts with loving ourselves, and also how important is that we normalize being single.- because that's a path many women are on, at least at some point in their live and love journey.We dive deep into so many areas of our love lives including:Trusting yourself and listen to your inner voice in relationships.Normalizing being single and focus on other areas of your life.Self-acceptance and self-worth as foundations of healthy relationships.How to be discerning and recognize relationship red flags.Mindfulness, tolerance, and appreciation in relationships.Avoiding overanalyzing our partners.How to get intentional in relationships - including having regular relationship meetings to improve the partnership.Creating breathing room to allow for individual growthHow breakups and divorces can be transformative experiences that lead to personal growth and new opportunities.Following your own dreams and prioritizing your own growth as essential in relationships.Wherever you are on your self-love and love relationship journey, I know you'll find gems of wisdom and practical information to connect more profoundly with yourself and your partner. And you'll find more tools for practicing self-worth.Make sure to follow me on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation. You can follow Jillian on Instagram and visit her at jillianturecki.com Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Fatigue, achy muscles, painful joints, brain fog, strange skin rashes… Could it be the flu? It’s possible. In fact, that’s what women are sometimes told! But these can be symptoms of an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and Hashimoto’s, to name just a few, have a definite gender bias. Women account for an astonishing 80% of all those who suffer from an autoimmune disease. Yet these are some of the most commonly dismissed, overlooked, and misdiagnosed symptoms and conditions, leaving far too many women to struggle to find answers, for sometimes years.So what is autoimmune disease and why do women experience them so much more often than men? That’s exactly what we’ll explore together in today’s episode. Join me as I tell you all about: What autoimmune disease really isWhy women’s symptoms of autoimmune disease are missed - and dismissedThe root causes of autoimmune disease that disproportionately impact womenThe role of estrogen and other hormones in autoimmune diseasesHow our immune system is impacted by hormonal shifts premenstrually, in pregnancy, postpartum, and menopauseThe wildly interesting role that microchimerism plays in autoimmune disease Listen and learn so you know how to protect your health from these conditions and so that you know how to get the tests, answers, and respect you need from your healthcare provider.Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation.Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

I’m not going to lie. I was much more prepared for puberty, pregnancy, motherhood, and even menopause than I was for aging. And you all know that’s a big deal to say because we’re largely unprepared for all the other phases of our lives, too. But the reality is, we’re aging from the day we’re born, and much of what we’ve internalized about aging - the fears, judgments, stereotypes - and even ‘symptoms’ if you will - have much more to do with the culture of ageism we’re steeped in from the time we’re little - whether that’s the ‘old hag witch’ in the woods who eats children in fairy tales and movies, to the anti-aging creams that women are already now using in their 20s (and younger) thanks to an industry that instills in us that aging is ugly. My guest, Karen Walrond, is the author of Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy & Raise a Little Hell, an investigation in how we can resist ageism and live a light-filled life along the way. And - I don’t say this often or lightly - this book has blown my mind. It was exactly the dose of vitality and fire I needed right now - a mind-shift on my own journey - of aging proudly and powerfully while I also navigate all that means in our culture, and in work that puts me front and center on video, in media. I truly believe every women over 20 in our culture should read this book, gift it, share it, talk about it, and then read it again. In this episode Karen and I discuss:The cultural beliefs, stereotypes, and fears that contribute to ageismHow internalized ageism can affect women's self-perception and confidence as they ageHow to challenge ageist language and attitudesEmbracing aging and reclaiming vitality can lead to a more joyful and fulfilling life.The role of the global anti-aging market in perpetuating ageism and sexismVariation in cultures on the perception of elderhoodThe importance of community and intergenerational relationships for well-being and a sense of purpose in the later yearsListening to your body's cravings and embracing guilt-free eatingThe impact of alcohol on health and weight managementHow important it is to appreciate the wisdom and beauty of body changesLet’s listen to the interview. And then, as my guest says, raise a little hell. Or as I’m saying, raise a lot of it! You’ll see what I mean.Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation. You can follow Karen on Instagram and visit her at chookooloonks.comLooking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplementsMentioned in this episode:Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

At some point, too many of us internalized the belief that being a woman means complete self-sacrifice, not setting healthy boundaries for our well-being, and not taking care of our fundamental needs – even for sleep, quality food, and relaxation. Further, as moms, we often take on the lioness's share of the household. As partners, we plan the dates and stay in touch with old friends. At work, we pick up the slack of others without so much as a peep of protest. But here's the thing- often, others don't even notice that we are doing all of this extra work because we haven't set healthy boundaries - with ourselves or with them. We've been taught to be the "good girl" (definitely listen to last week's podcast episode ALL about this topic if you haven't yet) and with this, we also believe that boundaries are rude or selfish.  So we give and give and give - at the expense of our well-being and sometimes at the expense of our own passions and fulfillment. Time for a reframe! Not only is having boundaries not selfish - but we are better givers when we practice conscious boundaries.And that's exactly what I'm talking about in this latest On Health episode. Tune in as I dish out my top tips to get you on your way to a boundary-setting queen! And learn all about why it's truly so important, just in time for the new year ahead and beyond.   In this episode I share: What boundaries are, including the types we may overlook  Why we have trouble setting boundaries How to know whether you need better boundaries in your life Exercises to support you in discovering your highest priorities and how to stick to them The boundary-setting practices to get you started and that really work And more - including my weird style tip that relates to boundaries  I KNOW that many of you will have at least a few "aha" moments and maybe even have some tears of understanding. Listen and become your own boundaries badass!  Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of unresolved trauma and its psychological, emotional, or even physical effects from one generation to another. This phenomenon can manifest in various ways, impacting individuals' mental health, coping mechanisms, and relational patterns. The cycle of intergenerational trauma underscores the importance of acknowledging, understanding, and actively addressing inherited wounds to break free from its influence on future generations.On today’s On Health episode, I’m joined by the incredible Mariel Buque, PhD, author of Break the Cycle: who wants us all to learn to unravel the threads of family trauma, and becoming cycle breakers so we can heal the burdens of suffering carried forward by so many families across generations. In this powerful episode, we explore: What intergenerational trauma is and how it can affect our physiology, mental health, relationships, economics, and more. The profound connections between our individual experiences and the echoes of our ancestors' pain.Resilience and stress tolerance as essential tools for breaking the intergenerational trauma cycle.How to expand your window of resilience and respond to life's challenges with greater awareness and purpose."How compassion becomes a powerful ally, fostering understanding and acceptance of our shared human struggles."How mothers can be preemptive cycle breakers, initiating the healing journey even before conceiving.The landscape of family estrangement and tools for reconciliation before resorting to estrangement.Mariel's approach centers around the concept of an upward spiral, emphasizing small, consistent mindful actions for reshaping the nervous system.Resources for those seeking guidance, including Mariel's book, "Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma."Join us in this episode's transformative conversation on health, healing, and well-being, as we become architects of a future unburdened by the weight of generational pain.Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation.Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Self-care - it’s both a profoundly important concept for our physical and mental well-being - a radical step in a culture that demands ever more of us, and it’s a phenomenon that has been trivialized by the wellness world - and any number of influencers and companies that suggest a bubble bath and a candle is enough for what stresses us. But real self care is so much more - it’s an inside job, as my guest  Pooja Lakshmin, MD, shares with us. A-psychiatrist, author, and the founder of Gemma Pooja shares her journey from disillusionment in mainstream medicine to a unique commune experience, leading to her mission of redefining self-care in her new book, "Real Self-Care.”In today’s episode we discuss: The turning point that led Pooja to drop out her medical residency training program and nd explore alternative paths.Pooja’s surprising decision to join an orgasmic meditation commune in San Francisco, the eventual decision to leave, and the lessons she learned.Her personal mental health struggles, including depression and thoughts of suicide. The pivotal moment that motivated her to return to residency and pursue her calling.The nuances between genuine self-care and the commodified wellness industry, clarifying that the book does not dismiss common self-care practices but challenges their commodification.The three common reasons people turn to self-care and how these dynamics manifest in her life and the lives of her patients.The principles of real self-care and the importance of internal processes, emphasizing the role of boundaries and their significance in fostering genuine well-being.The intersection of privilege and self-care, especially for mothers juggling multiple responsibilities.The systemic issues causing stress, reframing the conversation from burnout to betrayal and the societal pressures for perfection The importance of embracing "good enough., balancing excellence with realistic expectations.How positive psychology methods contribute to individual change and reshape the wellness narrativeThe challenges of balancing motherhood, professional responsibilities, and real self care.Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @dr.avivaromm to join the conversation.Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements