Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information: THE Menopause Podcast Lauren Streicher, MD

In a perfect world, an alert would pop up on your phone announcing, “You are now in perimenopause,” followed at the appropriate time by “You are now leaving perimenopause and entering post menopause.” But it’s not a perfect world, and unless you are thrust into menopause because of ovary removal or chemotherapy, in many, if not most cases, it’s hard to know what your ovaries are doing. Menopause is defined as starting when you haven't had a period in 12 months. And while that’s a very specific definition, that definition is only useful in retrospect. And the 12 months without a period definition is totally meaningless for the millions of women who don’t get periods because of maybe a hysterectomy or a uterine ablation.
I start this segment by discussing  (and reading) my recent editorial on this topic in the journal, Menopause. I then go on to address: 


Why the current definition is problematic, confusing and impacts research
How to know you are perimenopause or post menopause if you DON’T GET PERIODS
Post Hysterectomy
Post Endometrial Ablation
With IUD Use
If You Are Taking Birth Control Pills
Starting hormone therapy when not sure what stage of menopause you are in
Starting hormone therapy if you still getting periods but are having symptoms





My Editorial: Is it Time to Rethink How Menopause Is Defined
(There is a paywall so non-subscribers will not be able to access the article)
Streicher, Lauren MD, MSCP. Is it time to rethink how menopause is defined?. Menopause 30(12):p 1177-1178, December 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002276

More Information on this topic:
Episode 1: Is It Menopause or Some Other Pause?
Episode 23:  Welcome to Peri-menopause
Episode 46 Finding a Menopause Clinician Who Will Listen
Episode 80 When Progesterone is a Problem
Episode 99 When Bleeding During Perimenopause is the Problem

Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society. 

Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER

Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. 

Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on 

DrStreicher.com
Instagram       @DrStreich
Facebook       @DrStreicher
YouTube         DrStreicherTV

Books by Lauren Streicher, MD

Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat

Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever

The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

 If you think you’re having a hard time navigating vaginal dryness, painful sex, insomnia, and hot flashes, I can guarantee that if there is a man in your life, he is also having a hard time. More likely than not, he is completely in the dark about why you are having these symptoms and what he can do to help. In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Hughes, the host of Perimenopause WTF to discuss five things guys need to know about menopause. This segment was originally aired during a live webinar on The Perry Channel. 
Rachel and I also take questions from the audience. And no surprise, we came up with more than five things that men need to know to support the women in their lives.   


When and How to use lubricant.
Understand that a vibrator is not a reflection of your inability to please her. It’s a reflection of your ability to please her.
What’s with the hot flashes? 
Her lack of libido isn’t about you. It’s about the fact that she hasn’t slept, sex hurts like hell and she isn’t feeling great about her body changes.
There is no expiration date on a vagina.
How to start the conversation.




To learn more about Hello Perry, visit www.heyperry.com

https://perry.app.link/perimenopausewtf

For more information on this topic: (Episodes the guy in your life needs to listen to!) 






Episode 3: What's Up Down There? Genital Dryness & Misbehaving Bladders


Episode 4: Is Your Lubricant Helping or Hurting Your Vagina?


Episode 8: When Painful Sex Leads to Problem Relationships  with Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg


Episode 16  Minimizing the Monotony of Monogamy with Dr. Alexandra Solomon


Episode 41 Why Men go Missing in Bed with Dr. Stephen Snyder


Episode 47 Orgasm Equality with Dr. Laurie Mintz


Episode 54 What Happens During Sex Therapy with Rachel Zar


Episode 78 Is Menopause Making You Moody?  




Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society. 

                     Sign up to receive Dr. Streicher’s FREE NEWSLETTER

Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. 

Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on 

DrStreicher.com

Instagram       @DrStreich

Facebook       @DrStreicher

YouTube         DrStreicherTV

Books by Lauren Streicher, MD

Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat

Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever

The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

I spend a lot of time talking about dry vaginas and the impact that genitourinary syndrome of menopause has on your sex life, your day-to-day comfort, and bladder function. But vaginas are not the only thing that gets dry during menopause. This episode is all about another area of the body that biologically has a lot in common with a dry vagina…and that’s your post-menopause mouth. 





What mouths and vaginas have in common.
How common dry mouth is in post-menopause women 
Other things that cause dry mouth
Why low estrogen causes dry mouth
Symptoms of dry mouth
Consequences of dry mouth
The impact of hormone therapy
Other options to treat dry mouth
The role of your dentist




For more information on this topic: 

Episode 5: Vaginal Estrogen- Rings, Creams, and Other Things
Episode 11: Vaginal Estrogen is Not Poison
Episode 44: A Deep Dive into RECURRENT UTI
Episode 74: Ospemifene- A Pill a Day to Keep Dryness Away
Episode 94: Menopause and Voice 
 
Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society. 

Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER

Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. 

Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on DrStreicher.com

Instagram       @DrStreich
Twitter            @DrStreicher
Facebook       @DrStreicher
YouTube         DrStreicherTV

Books by Lauren Streicher, MD

Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat

Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever

The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

The number one complaint during perimenopause and menopause is insomnia. When a woman goes to her doctor and asks for help, she is rarely if ever, told that cannabis may be the answer. But at least one of four women walk out of the office and march right over to a local cannabis dispensary to get some help.  Today’s guest, Ellen Scanlon, is the host of the hit podcast, How to Do the Pot, and she is going to help you figure out, How to Do the Pot ...and get some sleep. 





How many women are consuming cannabis
The difference between using cannabis for recreation as opposed to treating a medical condition
Micro dosing
Why 3rd party testing of products is so important
Why REM sleep is so important
Falling Asleep
Staying Asleep
Why cannabis is better for sleep than alcohol
Dependency, tolerance, and addiction concerns
Why it is better to use a tincture than smoking or vaping
Specific doses to get started
Possible “day after” symptoms and what to do about it
CBN

Wrap-up and Safety Concerns




For more information on this topic: 

Episode 9: Can Cannabis Help Your Sweats? Sleep? Sex?
Episode 22:  Dreaming of Sleep with Dr. Faubion

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat

To take my survey on cannabis use in menopause: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cannabismenopause

Ellen Scanlon
Dothepot.com

SLEEP EPISODES on How to Do the Pot 

Episode 192- Weed and Sleep: Reclaim your rest with Cannabis
Episode 193 Weed and sleep: Find Your Evening Ritual- Falling asleep
Episode 194 Weed and Sleep: The Key to Uninterrupted Nights-Staying asleep 
Episode 195 Weed and Sleep Avoiding Hangovers- or, how not to get into trouble

Ellen interviews Dr. Streicher about Menopause on Do the Pot

Episode 210: Menopause 101 and How Cannabis is Helping
Episode 211:  Menopause and Cannabis Research Explained

Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society. 

                   Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER

Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. 

Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on 

DrStreicher.com

Instagram       @DrStreich
Twitter             @DrStreicher
Facebook        @DrStreicher
YouTube          DrStreicherTV

Books by Lauren Streicher, MD

Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat

Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever

The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

When someone is diagnosed with uterine cancer, in most cases, their uterus announces there is a problem by bleeding when it is not supposed to, or bleeding too heavily. Breast cancer, in most cases makes itself known by a lump, a nipple discharge or an abnormality on a mammogram. But ovarian cancer is not so accommodating and, in many cases, does not make its presence known until it has already moved well beyond the ovaries. My guest today is Dr. Shieva Ghofrany a practicing Ob-Gyn who was diagnosed with stage 2 ovarian cancer at age 46. She is going to share her story and talk about early signs, symptoms, and detection of ovarian cancer in women who are at average risk. And how to advocate for yourself when something is not quite right…





Dr. Ghofrany’s own journey with ovarian cancer
Why women often ignore symptoms
Why screening tests such as CA125 and ultrasound can be falsely reassuring 
How bad news is delivered to patients matters
The role of integrative medicine in enhancing recovery
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
Appropriate testing if ovarian cancer is suspected
How women can advocate for themselves if symptoms are disregarded
Importance and timing of follow-up ultrasounds of ovarian cysts
Living with a cancer diagnosis (any cancer) 
Wrap up including
Risk factors of ovarian cancer 
Reducing the risk of ovarian cancer 
Symptoms that may indicate ovarian cancer






Shieva Ghofrany MD
Website: www.tribecalledv.com
Instagram: @Biglovefiercejuju


Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society. 

               Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER

Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. 

Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on 
DrStreicher.com

Instagram @DrStreich
Twitter @DrStreicher
Facebook  @DrStreicher
YouTube  DrStreicherTV

Books by Lauren Streicher, MD

 Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat

Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever

The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

You are never going to get your 20-year-old body back any more than you are going to return to a wrinkle-free face. In Episode 100,  I went through all of the reasons why on average, women put on 5-7 pounds during perimenopause, and are twice as likely as mid-life men to have obesity. So now that you understand why you woke up one day and your scale registered your mother’s weight, there are strategies to prevent the weight gain in the first place, keep it from continuing to climb and take it off.





Medical reasons WHY it is important to maintain a healthy weight (Skip the first 5 minutes if you don't want to hear this! ) 
If perimenopausal weight can be PREVENTED

Interventions that have NOTHING TO DO WITH DIET or EXERCISE


23 TIPS that will help you
Cut down on calories from ALCOHOL 
Eat less in RESTAURANTS 
Reduce PORTION size, without being hungry 
Increase ACTIVITY without exercising
The best medical clinician to help 

For more information on this topic: 

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat




Episode 2:Think Your Hot Flashes Can't Kill You? Think Again!
Episode 12: Your Muscles on Menopause with Amanda Thebe 
Episode 77 Fezolinetant! A New Non-Hormonal Hot Flash Drug 
Episode 87 Will THAT Really Help Your Hot Flashes? Lifestyle and other Interventions
Episode 95 Non-hormonal options to treat VMS- Herbs Spices &Wishful Thinking 
Episode 100-  Why Women Gain Weight in Menopause


To Find a Physician Certified in Obesity Medicine
https://abom.learningbuilder.com/Search/Public/MemberRole/CertificationVerification

Dr. Robert Kushner and Six Factors to Fit
https://drrobertkushner.com/

Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society. 

                     Sign up to receive Dr. Streicher’s FREE NEWSLETTER

Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. 

Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on 
DrStreicher.com

Instagram @DrStreich
Twitter @DrStreicher
Facebook  @DrStreicher
YouTube  DrStreicherTV

Books by Lauren Streicher, MD

 Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat

Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever

The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy