106 episodes

Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, leaky bladders, weight gain, hair loss, inability to orgasm? Nothing is off limits in these fact filled, solution-driven and often surprisingly funny podcasts that address the specific symptoms women face as they navigate perimenopause and post-menopause. Each segment is like having an in-depth consultation with Dr. Lauren Streicher, a nationally recognized menopause expert and the Medical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. Guests will include other experts on all things menopause.  So strap in- it’s going to be quite the ride! This is THE podcast for accurate information about menopause but is not meant to be personal medical advice.

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

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.8 • 160 Ratings

Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, leaky bladders, weight gain, hair loss, inability to orgasm? Nothing is off limits in these fact filled, solution-driven and often surprisingly funny podcasts that address the specific symptoms women face as they navigate perimenopause and post-menopause. Each segment is like having an in-depth consultation with Dr. Lauren Streicher, a nationally recognized menopause expert and the Medical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. Guests will include other experts on all things menopause.  So strap in- it’s going to be quite the ride! This is THE podcast for accurate information about menopause but is not meant to be personal medical advice.

    It's Time To Redefine Menopause

    It's Time To Redefine Menopause

    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

    • 29 min
    Top Things MEN Need to Know About MENOPAUSE

    Top Things MEN Need to Know About MENOPAUSE

     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

    • 45 min
    The Mouth and Menopause

    The Mouth and Menopause

    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

    • 17 min
    Can CANNABIS Help You SLEEP?

    Can CANNABIS Help You SLEEP?

    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

    • 47 min
    An Insider Approach to Ovarian Cancer

    An Insider Approach to Ovarian Cancer

    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

    • 52 min
    23 Tips to Drop Peri &Post-Menopause Pounds: UPDATE!

    23 Tips to Drop Peri &Post-Menopause Pounds: UPDATE!

    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

    • 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
160 Ratings

160 Ratings

Time-challenged ,

REALLY?!???!

This was a very informative episode. I sent the link to my husband to listen to, and he won’t listen to it because he will “zone out”. Do you have a transcription of the episode? Maybe he will take the time to read i.

Tina Des ,

Why women gain weight in menopause

Thank for your short, information packed podcast. Can’t wait for part 2. This is definitely me.
Question I’m on transdermal Estradiol patch .025mg. I was on .05 but decreased because of bloating. Can you please do a podcast on Estradiol dosing?

Michigan_is_cold ,

Thank you!

Thank you a million for all your help and education navigating menopause. No episode is boring! It’s all extremely helpful!

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