In this episode of Not Your Mother's Menopause Podcast, Dr. Fiona Lovely sits down with Dr. Louann Brizendine, the renowned neuropsychiatrist and author of the groundbreaking book The Upgrade (released in 2022). Dr. Brizendine, who founded the first U.S. clinic focused on women's mood and hormone-related brain function, brings her decades of expertise to a conversation that reframes everything women have been told about life after fertility. The episode challenges the narrative that menopause marks an ending. Instead, Dr. Brizendine introduces listeners to the Upgrade—the wisdom phase that emerges after the hormonal chaos of perimenopause settles. She explains how the transition, formerly known as perimenopause, is a period of significant brain and body shifts, but what follows is a time of clarity, freedom, and renewed purpose. Women often feel joyless and irritable during the transition, but Dr. Brizendine offers hope, sharing that the happiness quotient actually increases with each decade of life. Listeners will learn practical brain and body hacks, including how to support the vagus nerve for better heart-brain communication and the importance of hormone therapy timing for brain protection. Dr. Brizendine also addresses the controversy surrounding HRT, urging women to consider estrogen not just for symptom relief but as prevention for cognitive decline. This is a conversation about reclaiming authentic selfhood, leaving behind the people-pleasing tendencies of the fertile years, and stepping into a powerful new identity. The message is clear: the good stuff is coming. Episode Highlights: Dr. Brizendine defines the transition versus the Upgrade and why the language matters. The connection between dropping estrogen and changes in mood, memory, and metabolism. How progesterone acts like natural valium—and what happens when it drops. The importance of timing hormone therapy for optimal brain protection. Practical techniques for calming the nervous system and enhancing vagal tone. Tune in to discover why the second half of life holds more freedom, joy, and possibility than women have ever been led to believe. Follow Dr. Louann Brizendine: IG | Website | Buy her book, The Upgrade Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: 💙If you're noticing fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin — thanks menopause —ugh, me too. Menopause can deplete your skin's collagen, speeding up aging. But here's the game-changer: Vitali Skincare has built its entire line on the power of GHK-Cu copper peptides — a proven ingredient that signals your skin's stem cells to produce new, healthy collagen. Head to vitaliskincare.com and use the code LOVELY at checkout for 20% off. Be sure to check out the Vita exosome serum for less sagging, dull skin. 🌵If vaginal dryness or discomfort is disrupting your day, Womaness's Melt For You inserts offer a gentle, deeply restorative way to find relief. Completely hormone-free and safe to use alongside HRT, these applicator-free suppositories use hyaluronic and lactic acids to naturally replenish moisture, stabilize hydration, and support your vaginal microbiome. Because supporting your body through menopause means feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. Head to womaness.com and use code LOVELY for a special discount. 💦 How to work with Dr. Lovely: We get many requests for this info, so here it is! First off, thank you for listening to the NYMM podcast. It's because of your support - listening and sharing the episodes and using our product links, we can continue to dispense this information.❤️ Thank you! 🙏🏼 Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely Follow the podcast on Facebook: www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites! This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes, blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc. drlovely.com to sign up to the email list and get our 5 brain health tools for menopause guide! Finally, a humble request: If you love the podcast, please leave us a review! It helps more people find useful info for a challenging time: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/not-your-mothers-menopause-with-dr-fiona-lovely/id1097326296 Please scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a review. Thank you! 💕🤗 Partnerships by Category3 Media Group
