Menopause: What Every Woman Should Know

madman

Super Moderator
* Julie Spencer—an expert in women's health within the field of urology—delivers a comprehensive overview of menopause. She emphasizes the diverse and often under-recognized spectrum of symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, weight gain, joint pain, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse. Many women experience delays in diagnosis and treatment, often seeing multiple providers before their symptoms are appropriately attributed to menopause.





Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAUNA, BCB-PMD, Adjunct Professor of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, introduces Julie Spencer, DNP, FNP-BC, CUNP, AFMC, Nurse Practitioner at The Urology Group and Owner of Julie Spencer Wellness LLC, Ashburn, Virginia.

In this 12-minute presentation, Julie Spencer—an expert in women's health within the field of urology—delivers a comprehensive overview of menopause. She emphasizes the diverse and often under-recognized spectrum of symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, weight gain, joint pain, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse. Many women experience delays in diagnosis and treatment, often seeing multiple providers before their symptoms are appropriately attributed to menopause.


Spencer highlights the importance of debunking common misconceptions, including the idea that menopause occurs uniformly across all women or that vasomotor symptoms solely characterize it. She explains how hormonal fluctuations impact reproductive health, cardiovascular risk, metabolic function, and mental health. She also brings attention to the gut-brain relationship, discussing how estrogen decline can compromise gut integrity, contributing to systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and exacerbation of menopausal symptoms.

Spencer addresses therapeutic strategies, advocating for an individualized approach to management. Lifestyle recommendations include prioritizing restorative sleep, resistance training, increased protein intake, and anti-inflammatory nutrition. She outlines hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options, such as bioidentical hormone therapy, FDA-approved medications for vasomotor symptoms, vaginal estrogen, and supportive supplements. She stresses the safety and efficacy of vaginal estrogen for genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a commonly overlooked but impactful condition encountered frequently in urology.

The presentation concludes with Spencer encouraging clinicians to educate and empower patients, reframing menopause as a stage of potential and transformation. A brief conversation between Julie Spencer and Diane Newman follows the presentation.
 
 

hCG Mixing Calculator

HCG Mixing Protocol Calculator

TRT Hormone Predictor Widget

TRT Hormone Predictor

Predict estradiol, DHT, and free testosterone levels based on total testosterone

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This tool provides predictions based on statistical models and should NOT replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your TRT protocol.

ℹ️ Input Parameters

Normal range: 300-1000 ng/dL

Predicted Hormone Levels

Enter your total testosterone value to see predictions

Results will appear here after calculation

Understanding Your Hormones

Estradiol (E2)

A form of estrogen produced from testosterone. Important for bone health, mood, and libido. Too high can cause side effects; too low can affect well-being.

DHT

Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen derived from testosterone. Affects hair growth, prostate health, and masculinization effects.

Free Testosterone

The biologically active form of testosterone not bound to proteins. Directly available for cellular uptake and biological effects.

Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

Beyond Testosterone Podcast

Online statistics

Members online
4
Guests online
336
Total visitors
340

Latest posts

Back
Top