I am honored to connect with Esther Blum today! She is the bestselling author of "Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat," "Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous," and most recently, "See Ya Later, Ovulator!" Esther currently maintains a busy virtual practice where she helps women balance hormones, lose stubborn body fat, and treat the root cause of health struggles. Today we speak about medical gaslighting, how weight gain does not have to be a part of aging, andropause and menopause, and the Women’s Health Initiative. We dive into physical changes and significant symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, the role of the pelvic floor, deciphering what the dreaded “menopot” is, what does not work, and advocacy in terms of testing and hormones. We also address constipation, weight loss resistance, and how our tolerance for alcohol changes as we age, especially when using bioidenticals or hormone replacement therapy. I hope you love today’s conversation with Esther Blum as much as I did! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How women can redefine their experience and continue having an active sex life after menopause. How to surrender, lean in, and take the pressure off yourself while going through perimenopause and menopause. Why is there so much misinformation and medical gaslighting in our society? Why Esther wrote See Ya Later, Ovulator! Some common symptoms of perimenopause. Risks women may face after a hysterectomy. Changes that happen in the vaginal canal and pelvic floor during menopause. The significant and profound impact of the decline of sex hormones. How to avoid weight gain in menopause. What can menopausal women do to prevent fatty liver and digestive problems? Lab tests women should ask their healthcare providers for. Why should perimenopausal women avoid alcohol? Some simple ways to address constipation. Esther’s quotes: “You don’t have to gain weight in menopause.” “The better your gut health, the better your transition through menopause will be.” “Hormones are like a symphony. They’re not a solo act.” “Even if you have gained weight, even if you have cellulite and wrinkles and hair loss, it does not have to be permanent at all.” “You can have an active sex life, you can have absolute arousal, you can still have raging orgasms, even after menopause!” Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Cynthia’s website. Check out the Everyday Podcast on Instagram! www.instagram.com/everydaywellnesspodcast Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Esther Blum On her website Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn Get your free copy of Esther’s Happy Hormone Cocktail Esther’s books, including See Ya Later, Ovulator!, are available HERE.