Podcasts about follicle

Welcome to the podcast with Dr. Brendan McCarthy!   In this deeply personal episode, he shares why lab work—especially testing FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)—is non-negotiable in hormone replacement therapy.   This is not about gatekeeping. It's about understanding. It's about caring. Dr. McCarthy recounts a formative memory of meeting a woman who underwent surgical menopause and was never told what would happen to her body afterward. That moment shaped his lifelong mission to treat women with comprehensive, individualized care—not cookie-cutter patches or “blind firing” estrogen without context. In this episode, he explains:

Melissa Anger is an Associate Trichologist and a licensed Cosmetologist and Barber of more than 24 years. She is married with three kids and experienced hair loss herself after being diagnosed with Hashimotos shortly after the birth of her youngest child. She has become very passionate about the subject of hair loss as a whole and strives to give people hope by helping them determine the root cause of their own hair loss and become successful long term improving their hair loss and hair growth. Topics covered in this episode:Hair Loss Causes Minoxidil Hormonal Imbalances DHT Medication Impacts on Hair LossStress and Hair LossInsulin Resistance and Hair LossCortisol and Its EffectsDiet and Lifestyle Changes for Hair LossWomen's Health and Hair-Related IssuesReferenced in the episode:The Lindsey Elmore Show Ep 130  | How Insulin Resistance Effects The Whole Body | Casey MeansTo learn more about Mellisa Anger and her work, head over to https://www.mabrowsandhair.com/IG @ma_browsandhairBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lindsey-elmore-show--5952903/support.

Send us a textYou've done the ultrasounds, the shots, the bloodwork — and then retrieval day comes, and... nothing. Zero eggs. What just happened?In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols dives into one of the most confusing and emotionally crushing outcomes in IVF: Empty Follicle Syndrome (EFS). But before you panic, know this — most cases aren't what they seem.We'll break down:The difference between true vs. false EFSWhy true EFS is rarer than a unicorn eating tacosHow trigger shot timing and hormone levels can lead to confusionWhat doctors actually mean when they say “empty follicle”Real strategies for preventing and managing this situationWhether you've heard the term before or are just trying to understand your IVF journey better, this episode will give you clarity, peace of mind, and as always — a side of science and salsa.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

This week, Danny is off to Turkey, Billy is soft launching his bald era and finally the team get around to finding out who took a course of follicle revenge… and it's worth the wait.Want to be a Gossip Goddess or a Question Queen and win a badge?Get involved…Send us your crazy and dirty confessions! They could be your own saucy tales or the goss you have on your friends! Send them in here: https://forms.gle/5uwNGBb9QAkgXKKz5 or you can even get in touch via Whatsapp! Texts/ voice notes, go wild! If you wish to remain anon, just say. We will never out you and can even disguise your voice. Whatsapp the show: https://wa.me/message/NJKXUPHEB7AAI1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tiniest critters can be the biggest pain in the you-know-what when it comes to your body and your garden. The mere fact that they are sooo small does not help to discover them in time. That kind of goes for most of the members of the Order ACARI – a huge range of critters such as Bird mites, Follicle mites (we all have them in our eyelashes), chiggers, scabies mites, ticks and —of course— plant mites. A week or two ago I discovered the very first Acari on Julie's Frangipani bush in the glasshouse. Just a few innocent little acari, known as two-spotted spider mites with the elegant scientific name of Tetranychus urticae. Literally a couple of days ago I discovered this: Massive “spider webs” made from the smallest and softest silk on the planet. All strands very close together, keeping the inhabitants safe from whatever may be mite predators. Spider mites are often a real pain in the warmer areas of the garden – especially the glasshouse, tunnel house, and very sheltered areas with warm sunlight. Their trouble-making is very simple: damage the tiny cells on leaves by rasping, and remove the moisture inside those plant cells. That leaves the cells without their contents, and they simply dry out. The most important stuff they grab is the green chlorophyll that's inside those cells; those cells will be filled with air, thereby becoming bleached, light yellow and grey. Spider mites use the massive silken constructions as easy runways to get from leaf to leaf and partner to partner. Their numbers increase rapidly, and the damage follows… Once you have had a close look at the leaves, the silk and the runways, you'll find the little scrapers: 4 pairs of legs, a few dots on their body, and some movement. Once you spot them it pays to have a go at controlling these vast colonies before they really cause severe damage. Organic control can be achieved via Yates' fatty acid spray (NatraSoap). That stuff works on tiny critters with a sensitive skin. An alternative: Neem Oil or Conqueror Oil. Repeat sprays are recommended to catch the tiny babies after they come out of their eggs. Biological Control is another way to reduce the population. Phytoseiulus persimilis is available from BioForce Ltd, who sells the product Mite-E™. It's a parasitic mite that eats the eggs of the spider mites and even the juveniles and adults of that pest. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We got the Queen City's new mayor, Chad Bachynski, on the phone for 15 min at the crack of dawn so we could pin him down with questions about federal infrastructure funding, the Housing Accelerator Fund, residential upzoning and some ignorant, mildly sweary stuff that federal opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, said about cities. Seriously, what's Poilievre's damage? Plus, We're Number Five! And, how did council's first real meeting go… really? Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Reproductive physiologists are always trying to improve conception rates for the dairy herd. Double ovsync is one of the best tools in our toolbox to submit cows to first insemination. However, as estrus detection technology becomes more affordable and we learn more about physiology, perhaps combining the expression of estrus at insemination may improve fertility through optimizing ovulation timing. Dr. Julio Giordano and Ana Laplacette worked with their Cornell reproduction team to investigate this theory on over 4600 cows in 2 commercial herds. “We are trying to take advantage of the power of sync of ovulation and the power of estrus” Giordano explains. “To get the best of both, synergize the two.” The only change to the well-known Double ovsync protocol includes a delay in the final administration of GnRh before breeding. The goal, allowing the cows more time to show estrus. Take a moment to listen in to better understand the physiology of this synchronization program and how to improve your herd's reproductive management.   Topics of discussion 2:03       Introduction of Dr. Julio Giordano & Ana Laplacette 3:37       Why introduce Estrus detection to double ovsync? 6:25       Treatment description, Double ovsync 9:12       Did you cherry pick? 10:04     What metrics do you focus in on to determine the success of synchronization protocol 11:36     Considerations to grouping animals to best understand the data 13:57     How did you determine “heat” 15:23     Specific difference between G56 and G80 treatments 16:38   Increase in Estrus observed 2.2% vs 29.9% 17:09     Three types of cows –                (1) Show estrus without GnRh, 1/3                (2) Show estrus after GnRh, 1/3                (3) Never show estrus, 1/3   20:01     Anestrus cows – table 5 22:16     Follicle size differences between treatment 26:12     Did it work? Take home message for boots on the ground dairy producers 30:41     What is the difference between the estrus and non-estrus cows? 32:16     Follow up project: Give cows 1 week to show estrus after PGH of breeding OvSync Featured Article: Delaying induction of ovulation and timed AI in a Double-Ovsynch protocol increased expression of estrus and altered first service reproductive outcomes of lactating dairy cows   #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #DoubleOvSync; #G56; #G80; #cherrypick; #sync; #estrus; #dairy; #Lut; #GnRH; #conceptionrate; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel; 

Spooklore 2024 draws to a close with a reading of The Story of a Mother, which is not so much a spooky story but a terribly depressing one, from resident sad-sack, Hans Christian Andersen. Turns out, the true horror was videogames from 1993 this whole time!Suggested talking points: The Hamburglar's Living Conditions, A Cave with Amenities, Microwave Beer, Death and Baby, Jealous of the Ocean, Follicle by Follicle, A Little Pee (As a Treat)If you'd like to support Carman's artistic endeavors, visit: https://www.patreon.com/carmandaartsthingsIf you'd like to support Tyler's artistic endeavors, visit: https://www.patreon.com/crimeweaverIf you like our show, find us online to help spread the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube. Support us on Patreon to help the show grow at www.patreon.com/wtfolklore. You can find merchandise and information about the show at www.wtfolklorepodcast.com.

When Brittany Tucker's brother died in 2015, “I just took it the wrong way,” she said. “I turned to drugs.”Tucker's addiction resulted in state intervention from the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) in 2016. Within two years, DFCS had removed all four of her kids - including an infant daughter - from her care.Georgia law says when drugs are involved in child welfare cases, a judge may require drug screening of the parent. Tucker agreed to random drug screens in hopes of getting her children back. State contracted workers would collect the specimens then send them off to subcontracted drug testing labs.Tucker admits to early relapses, but by 2019, she said she was sober for good. “I didn't get sober for myself,” she said. “I did it for my kids.”But her mandated drug tests didn't show that. According to the results from state subcontracted labs, Tucker tested positive for methamphetamine during times she claims she was sober. Those results affected her visitation privileges with her children.Read the full story here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/10/17/are-hair-follicle-drug-tests-reliable-georgia-expert-says-no/

When it comes to DOR, aka Diminished Ovarian Reserve, I will forever be reminding you, your friend, your friend's mom and anyone else who will listen: “diminished” does not mean “zero”! That's why I'm so happy to have Dr. Geoffrey Sher back on the show to talk all about egg stimulation specifically for women with a diminished ovarian reserve.  I know when patients hear “diminished” when it comes to their eggs, they think it's all over. They imagine they've gone from having a whole bunch of gorgeous, high-quality eggs right to having none at all. The truth is, every ovulating human on earth is going to go through DOR. And when it happens, it happens slowly, over time. There's no emergency "eggs-it" that all your eggs run through all of a sudden, taking all your fertility journey goals with them. Just because you may have gotten a DOR diagnosis does not mean your fertility journey ends here. In fact, there are still many ways that you can work with your doctor to give your remaining eggs the best chance at success. Like I always say: all it takes is one good egg! Dr. Sher had so many excellent insights to share in this episode. Here are just a few things we talked about in this amazing conversation: What you need to know about egg quality and how it declines over time What we can do to give eggs the best chance during IVF Why you might choose birth control (you read that right!) in this situation If you or someone you care about is wondering what to do after a DOR diagnosis, tune in to this episode of the podcast at the link in my profile. I promise, there's still so much hope for you and your dreams Thank you once again for a great conversation, Dr. Sher!  

Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson promotes the use of estrogen for women (and men!) and yes, even women with breast cancer. In this episode, we dive into the scientific reasons why estrogen is protective, safe and how to use it. Her best selling book: Safe Hormones, Smart Women Episode brought to you by hypoallergenic sheets made without any harsh chemicals or toxic dyes. Code: DEELEY15 4:58: Abraham Morgenthaler 5:44: 26 studies on why estrogen is safe 6:36: Women who've been on estrogen for 5 years get less breast cancer, and if they do get breast cancer, they die less by 44% 8:01: Older women on estrogen lived on the average 19% longer, had statistically less breast cancer and two other cancers 15:10: Why flaxseeds are a superfood and breast protective 15:44: Tumors shrank when they consumed freshly ground flaxseeds 17:23: Flaxseeds are great for an enlarged prostate 20:55: Why we need iodine for a healthy thyroid 27:47: Progesterone and estrogen can decrease anxiety and insomnia 29:54: Best test for hormones: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) 30:42: High FSH causes weight gain around your torso 31:51: FSH ideally should be below 30 (hers is at 5) 32:37: Dr. Anna DeRosa (Dr. Hot Flash) 34:23: Birth control can increase your risk of breast cancer 35:51: Dr. Katrina Dalton and progesterone (and PMS) 39:25: Progesterone can help your lungs 39:36: Progesterone can be given to men for congestive heart failure 39:21: Progesterone can be very healing for leaky gut 41:33: Severe C0v!d symptoms? Can take Progesterone 42:00: Carol Petersen 44:52: Sexy Brain book Where to find Dr. Berkson: Website Instagram Facebook

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Tara shines a light on Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome (LUFS), a lesser-known but impactful condition affecting women's ability to conceive. Join her as she delves into the intricacies of LUFS, discussing its symptoms, causes, and available treatment options. Whether you're navigating fertility challenges or seeking to deepen your understanding of reproductive health, this podcast offers invaluable insights into LUFS and its implications for conception. Let Dr. Tara help you!   LEARN for FREE from Dr. Tara JOIN Dr. Tara on TikTok Come say hi over on Tara's Instagram 

Hormones play a pivotal role in every aspect of a woman's life, from mood to fertility and beyond, understanding how to optimize their function is paramount. Dr. Elena Zinkov shares actionable strategies and insights that empower women to take control of their hormonal health and thrive. Support Your Sleep and Hormonal Balance with innovative Myo Relax and Calm: https://bit.ly/myo-relax-sleep-blend Save with code Podcast at checkout Link to Video & Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3vC0hSK Show Notes: 0:00 Intro 4:50 Hormonal birth control and xenoestrogens from our environment push women into perimenopause and premature ovarian failure. 6:30 Women who come off birth control may experience early perimenopause. 9:30 Bioidentical hormones can help women coming off hormonal birth control to recuperate. 11:30 Women have more testosterone than estrogen. 13:40 PCOS is an insulin and low progesterone issue. 15:40 Women's estrogen and progesterone are produced in the ovarian follicles. Adrenal glands also produce estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. 18:25 AMH levels reflect the ovarian reserve. 18:50 Egg quality depends upon balanced levels of estrogen and testosterone. 21:30 DHEA is important for energy, healthy estrogen levels, blood sugar metabolism, immune system, muscle mass, and post workout recovery. 29:05 All hormones are at their peak between 8 and 10 am. 29:45 Blood/serum testing is the most accurate. 32:30 Follicle-stimulating hormone FSH helps the egg to mature and stimulates the release of estrogen and progesterone. 34:15 We are starting to see late perimenopause and menopause levels of FSH in young women. 34:40 Optimal estradiol is between 70 to 150. 35:00 The follicular phase starts on day one of bleeding and luteal starts with ovulation. 37:15 Body temperature and cervical fluid are effective ways to determine if you are ovulating. 42:00 Signs of low progesterone 46:50 Bioidentical oral progesterone 50:00 Helps with sleep: valerian root, CBD, magnesium, GABA, and L-theanine (am and pm). 53:30 Growth hormone peptides can help you sleep through the night. 58:45 Oxytocin nasal spray is neuroprotective and can help with stress management and resilience, anxiety, and depression. 59:50 Women should consume 30 to 40 grams of protein at least 3 to 4 times per day, with a minimum of 120 grams/day.

075. Tara grew up in a very small town in Massachusetts. She moved away to attend college at Northeastern in Boston. She moved out to Denver, Colorado almost 11 years ago when she was looking for a job after she completed her MBA. From an early age, Tara assumed she was going to have issues having children. Her mother and grandmother both went into menopause in their early 40's. Every doctor told her she had a less than 10 % chance of conceiving naturally, so she didn't see a reason to be on birth control. Her AMH was super low and her follicle count was also low. Join us as she shares her natural pregnancy at 40 and her journey to using donor eggs at 44. If you are trying to have a baby over 40, I'd love to invite you to 40.40 Society! It's a 6-week program that teaches you the same tools I used to have a good TTC experience and validate your feelings with bi-weekly small support groups. Join the wait list to be the first to know when the program is open to learn how to handle the ups and downs of TTC and feel supported through your journey:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/waitlistGet the full story, resources and more information about this episode:https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode75/

Maggie, Pascha, and Julie discuss the holidays, stand up, helping kids, the prices of things, rules of games.St. Peter, stand up, holidays, toys for tots, kare 11, holiday for heroes, police officers, fire fighters, kids, xbox, headphones, target, shop with a cop, gratitude, nice people, money, sheels, bearcat, drive the bearcat, evacuate, lenco, troopers, anchor, rocket launcher, how much is a bearcat, hummer, armored car, food truck, cookie thief, bulletproof, catalytic converter, food presents, 5 below, sierra trading, snacks, five dollars, blankets, dollar general, call the general, CVS receipt, jinks, jinks rules, osceo, yellow car, slug bug, truck, points, horse horse, cemetery, church game, church road trip, jesus on a cross, morbid games, search history, funeral, phone, church murder mystery games, toy chest trauma, the great canine follicle debacle, the thing in the cellar, there might be no christmas, confirmation, taylor swift's birthday, kanye west, who is more satanic, bible, tie blankets, law jokes, lawyer comedian, better call paul, live stream christmas, choir, righteous gemstones, pews, trichotillomania, alopecia, church bingo, video, home for the holidays, ugly sweaters, fur coats, perfume, boomers, sanctuary, jesus's birthday, closing time semisonic, harps, church beers, church tailgating, traffic control, school pick up,  doggie day care pick up, dog day care, tesla, elon musk, X, barking, retina, cameras, security, biometrics, self driving cars, emergency vehicles, men are stupid, casey flesch, casey fleschlight, river, waymo, waymo nervous, automatic breaking, long division, pilot, flying, anxious, terbulance, adrenaline, testosterone, doordash, doordash disputes, geotagging, jordasche, brook shields, calvin klein, hulu, brook shields is a lesbian, body positive, new york post, butchie, women are very attractive, fence, bisexual, word from our sponser, humongus hotdogs, family style, pulled pork, charcuterie, coffee, misheard lyrics, have some pumpkin pie, have some fucking pie, rockin around the christmas tree lyrics, kool 108, home alone, biglabspod

Melissa Anger is an Associate Trichologist and a licensed Cosmetologist and Barber of more than 24 years. She is married with three kids and experienced hair loss herself after being diagnosed with Hashimotos shortly after the birth of her youngest child. She has become very passionate about the subject of hair loss as a whole and strives to give people hope by helping them determine the root cause of their own hair loss and become successful long term improving their hair loss and hair growth. Topics covered in this episode:Hair Loss Causes Minoxidil Hormonal Imbalances DHT Medication Impacts on Hair LossStress and Hair LossInsulin Resistance and Hair LossCortisol and Its EffectsDiet and Lifestyle Changes for Hair LossWomen's Health and Hair-Related IssuesReferenced in the episode:The Lindsey Elmore Show Ep 130 | How Insulin Resistance Effects The Whole Body | Casey MeansTo learn more about Melissa Anger and her work, head over to https://www.mabrowsandhair.com/IG @ma_browsandhair_____________________________________Happiness is now available on the go! The Happy Juice Pack is now available with MentaBiotics, Energy+ & Amare EDGE all in easy to carry stick packs. Head to http://www.lindseyelmore.com/amare to save $10 on your Amare Happy Juice Pack. _____________________________________We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.lindseyelmore.com/podcast.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5952903/advertisement

In this episode Adelaide shares how monitored cycles work, her experience, all about LUFS (luteinizing enraptured follicle syndrome, and where they are with their TTC journey and next steps.  

In this episode, Prof. discussed the development of follicles in IVF Cycle  Tune in to the IVF Journey podcast and get updates on the latest episodes.

THURSDAY HR 1 Traveling with global entry Gators in the rain. The doors of the brain that we try to access Sideburns

In this episode, Prof. discussed the development of follicles in IVF Cycle  Tune in to the IVF Journey podcast and get updates on the latest episodes.

We're digging into why thryoid health matters for low AMH/high FSH. Our Fab Fertile Method includes a deep dive into your health utilizing cutting-edge functional tests and addressing biochemical and mental-emotional stressors. A theme we see with primary ovarian insufficiency, diminished ovarian reserve, low AMH, and high FSH is thyroid dysfunction. And looking at the TSH is NOT the answer. I know you may have been told that our thyroid is normal, but something is being missed. Thyroid dysfunction can result in: · Anovulatory cycles · Menstrual irregularities or heavy bleeding · Low libido · Luteal phase defects · High prolactin · Sex hormone imbalances · Reduced DHEA, which may cause hormone imbalances and low sex hormone levels · Failure to sustain a fertilized egg · Low antral follicle count (AFC) · Low anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a measure of ovarian reserve · High follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) · Early pregnancy loss (

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we're joined by Dr. Kalea Wattles, Associate Director of Curriculum at The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM). In this episode, Dr. Kalea Wattles explains all about reproductive longevity, including the fertility span, testing for fertility, and how to slow down ovarian aging. Dr. Kalea Wattles is an accomplished naturopathic doctor, certified functional medicine practitioner, and a renowned fertility expert. Her approach to helping women conceive and maintain pregnancies is based on the functional medicine philosophy. Key Takeaways: Focusing on reproductive longevity It's a human-specific phenomenon to experience a decline in fertility potential around middle age. This could be attributed to the "grandmother hypothesis," where women lose their fertility at a young age to allocate time and energy to taking care of their offspring. Nevertheless, losing reproductive potential has broader implications for various bodily systems, such as reduced bone mineral density and cognitive function, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it's essential to prioritize reproductive longevity to not only ensure successful pregnancies now, but also promote long-term health and vitality. Understanding lifespan, healthspan, and fertility span Lifespan is the total duration of a person's life, from birth to death. Healthspan, on the other hand, refers to the period of life during which an individual is in good health and free from chronic diseases or disabilities. It's a measure of function rather than a measure of time. The fertility span is the period during which an individual is capable of reproducing, and it refers to the health of the ovaries, regular ovulation, hormone production that protects your bones and brain, and the nervous system. Normal versus pathological ovarian aging Women's ovaries naturally age, leading to a decline in function that culminates in the menopausal transition, usually occurring in the early fifties. This process is a normal part of aging and occurs regardless of a woman's overall health. However, some women experience an acceleration in ovarian aging, resulting in a decrease in ovarian reserve, which can lead to infertility. This can occur even if the woman is still having menstrual cycles and normal hormone levels. Premature ovarian insufficiency is another condition in which the ovaries exhibit perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms, such as irregular periods, even in younger women. Oxidative stress and inflammation Oxidative stress and inflammation are the two biggest contributors to ovarian aging. Oxidative stress is when the body experiences a buildup of compounds that can damage DNA. It can be from having a high sugar diet, environmental toxin exposures, chronic inflammation, or a low intake of dietary antioxidants. Inflammation can come from lots of different sources. Periodontal disease is a significant contributor to inflammation in the reproductive system. But it can also come from food sensitivities, intestinal hyperpermeability, or leaky gut. It's crucial to acknowledge the interconnectivity of all the systems in our body, as each one can impact the others. Therefore, when a woman intends to get pregnant, she must ensure that all her bodily systems are in proper working order and balance. Slowing ovarian aging Be mindful of your diet and reduce sources of advanced glycation. This means cutting back on fried and baked foods and focusing on consuming more antioxidant-rich foods. In addition to dietary changes, it's also important to consider lifestyle factors such as exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep. Also, regularly test. Also, check out Dr. Kalea's recommended lab testing: Hormones testing, Luteinizing hormone test, Follicle-stimulating hormone test, Testosterone panel, DHEA-S Test, Progesterone testing, Thyroid testing, TSH testing, Free T3 test, Free T4 test, Reverse T3 test, Thyroid antibodies test, Comprehensive metabolic panel, Lipid panel, High-sensitivity C-reactive protein test, Hemoglobin A1C test, Fasting insulin test, Nutritional testing, Vitamin D testing, B vitamins testing, Celiac panel, Ferritin test, Iron test, Homocysteine test, Infectious screening, HIV test, Syphilis test, Chlamydia test, Gonorrhea test, Hepatitis test, Cytomegalovirus test, EBV test, Salivary cortisol test, Comprehensive stool analysis, Micronutrient testing Order tests through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide

In this week's podcast episode, we talked with Dr. Katherine Unverferth on Menopause, anxiety, and mental health. We covered the below topics: How do we define peri-menopause and menopause?  What causes menopause?  Why do some have more menopausal symptoms than others?  Why do some people report rapid rises in anxiety (and even panic disorder) during menopause.  Is the increase in anxiety with menopause biological, physiological, or psychological?  Why do some people experience mood differences or report the onset of depression during menopause?  What treatments are avaialble to help those who are suffering from menopause (or perimenopause) and anxiety and depression? Welcome back, everybody. I am so happy to have you here. We are doing another deep dive into sexual health and anxiety as a part of our Sexual Health and Anxiety Series. We first did an episode on sexual anxiety or sexual performance anxiety. Then we did an episode on arousal and anxiety. That was by me. Then we did an amazing episode on sexual side effects of antidepressants with Dr. Aziz. And then last week, we did another episode by me basically going through all of the sexual intrusive thoughts that often people will have, particularly those who have OCD.  This week, we are deep diving into menopause and anxiety. This is an incredibly important episode specifically for those who are going through menopause or want to be trained to understand what it is like to go through menopause and how menopause impacts our mental health in terms of sometimes people will have an increase in anxiety or depression. This week, we have an amazing guest coming on because this is not my specialty. I try not to speak on things that I don't feel confident talking about. This week, we have the amazing Dr. Katherine Unverferth. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor at The David Geffen School of Medicine and she also serves as the Director of the Women's Life Center and Medical Director of the Maternal Mental Health Program. She is an expert in reproductive psychiatry, which is why we got her on the show. She specializes in treating women during periods of hormonal transitions in her private practice in Santa Monica. She lectures and researches and studies areas on postpartum depression, antenatal depression, postpartum psychosis, premenstrual dysphoric disorder—which we will cover next week, I promise; we have an amazing guest talking about that—and perimenopausal mood and anxiety disorders. I am so excited to have Dr. Unverferth on the show to talk about menopause and the collision between menopause and anxiety. You are going to get so much amazing information on this show, so I'm just going to head straight over there. Again, thank you so much to our guest. Let's get over to the show. Kimberley: Welcome. I am so honored to have Dr. Katherine Unverferth with us talking today about menopause and anxiety. Thank you for coming on the show. Dr. Katie: Of course. Thanks for having me. HOW DO WE DEFINE PERI-MENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE?  Kimberley: Okay. I have a ton of questions for you. A lot of these questions were asked from the community, from our crew of people who are really wanting more information about this. We've titled it Menopause and Anxiety, but I want to get really clear, first of all, in terms of the terms and whether we're using them correctly. Can you first define what is menopause, and then we can go from there? Dr. Katie: Definitely. I think when you're talking about menopause, you also have to think about perimenopause. Menopause is defined as the time after the final menstrual period. Meaning, the last menstrual period somebody has. It can only be defined retrospectively, so you typically only know you're in menopause a year after you've had your final menstrual period. But that's the technical definition—after the final menstrual period, it's usually defined one year after. Perimenopause is the time leading up to that where people have hormonal changes. Sometimes they have vasomotor symptoms, they can have mood changes, and that period typically lasts about four years but varies. I think that people often know that they're getting close to menopause because of the perimenopausal symptoms they might be experiencing. Kimberley: Okay. How might somebody know they're going into perimenopause? I think that's how you would say you go into it. Is that right?  Dr. Katie: Yeah. You start experiencing it there. I don't know if there's a specific term.  Kimberley: Sure. How would one know they're moving in that direction?  Dr. Katie: Typically, we look for a few different things. One of the earliest signs is menstrual cycle changes. As someone enters perimenopause, their menstrual cycle starts to lengthen, whereas before, it might have been a normal 28-day cycle. Once it lengthens to greater than seven days, over 35 days, we would start to think of someone might be in perimenopause because it's lengthened significantly from their baseline before.  Other symptoms that are really consistent with perimenopause are vasomotor symptoms. Most women who go through perimenopause will have these. These are hot flashes or hot flushes—those are synonyms for the same experience—and night sweats. Hot flashes, as the name describes what it is, they last about two to four minutes. It's a feeling of warmth that typically begins in the chest or the head and spreads outward, often associated with flushing, with sweating that's followed by a period of chills and sometimes anxiety. The night sweats are hot flashes but in the middle of the night when someone is sleeping, so it can be very disruptive to sleep. That combination of the menstrual cycle changes plus these vasomotor symptoms is typically how we define perimenopause or how we diagnose perimenopause. Once someone is later in perimenopause, when they're getting closer to their final menstrual period, often they'll skip menstrual cycles altogether, so it might be 60 days in between having bleeding. Whereas before, it was a more regular period of time. I think one of the defining features too is hormonal fluctuations during those times. But interestingly, there's not much clinical utility to getting the blood test to check hormone levels because they can vary wildly from cycle to cycle. Overall, what we do see is that certain hormones increase, others decrease, and that probably contributes to some of the symptoms that we see around that time as well. Kimberley: Right, which is so interesting because I think that's why a lot of people come to me and I try to only answer questions I'm skilled to answer. Those symptoms can very much mimic anxiety. I know we'll get into that very soon, but that's really interesting—this idea of hot flashes. I always remember coming home to my mom from school and she was actually in the freezer, except for her feet. It was one of those door freezers. So, I understand the heat that they're feeling, this hot flash, it's a full body hot flash stimulant like someone may have if they're having a panic attack maybe.  Dr. Katie: Exactly. There are lots of interesting studies really looking at the overlap of menopausal panic attacks and hot flashes too. There's a lot of this research that's really trying to suss out what comes first in perimenopause because we know that anxiety predisposes someone to hot flashes and it can predispose someone to panic attacks, which is interesting. It seems like there's this common denominator there. But I think that that's a really interesting thing that hopefully we'll get into this overlap between the two. WHAT AGE DOES SOMEONE GET PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE? Kimberley: I'm guessing this is something I'm moving towards as well. What age groups, what ages does this usually start? What's the demographics for someone going into perimenopause and menopause? Dr. Katie: The average age of menopause is 51, and then people spend about four years in perimenopause. Late 40s would be a typical time to start perimenopause. Basically, any age after 40, when someone's having these symptoms, they're likely in perimenopause. If it happens before the age of 40 where someone's having menstrual cycle abnormalities and they're having these vasomotor symptoms, that might be a sign of primary ovarian insufficiency. It used to be called premature ovarian failure, but that would be a sign that they should probably go see a doctor and get checked out. If it's after 40, it's very likely that they're having perimenopausal symptoms. Kimberley: Okay. What causes this to happen? What are the shifts that happen in people's bodies that lead someone into this period of their life? Dr. Katie: I think there are a lot of things that are going on. I think it's really important to emphasize that menopause is a natural part of aging. That this isn't some abnormal process. Nothing is wrong. It's a natural part of aging. It can still be very uncomfortable, I think. But basically, over time, a woman's eggs decline and the follicles that help these eggs develop also develop less. There's this decline in the functioning of the ovaries. There are a few reasons this might be. There are some studies that show that blood flow to the ovaries is reduced as a result of aging, so maybe that makes them function a little bit less. The follicles that remain in the ovaries are probably aging, and then the follicles, which are still there, also might not be the healthiest of follicles, which is why they weren't used earlier.  There's this combination of things that leads to these very significant hormonal changes that start around perimenopause. The first of these is an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone. Follicle-stimulating hormone is released by the pituitary and encourages the ovaries to develop follicles. That increases over time because the follicles aren't developing in the same way. It's like the pituitary is trying harder and harder to get them to work. At the same time as these, as the follicles and ovaries are aging, what we see is that the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone overall. But there's still these wild fluctuations that are happening. FSH is going up, but it's fluctuating up; estrogen and progesterone are going down, but they're fluctuating down. It's these really big shifts that seem to cause a lot of the symptoms that we associate with this time. WHY DO SOME HAVE MORE MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS THAN OTHERS?  Kimberley: Is there a reason why some people have more symptoms than others? Is it your genetic component or is there a hormonal component? What's your experience? Dr. Katie: I think there are lots of different reasons and we probably need more research in this area. There are definitely genetic components that influence it. For example, we know that women who have family members who went through menopause earlier are likely to go through menopause themselves earlier. There's some genetic thing that's influencing the interplay of factors. I think we know that there are certain lifestyles. There are certain behaviors, like certain behaviors in someone's life that can influence, I think, their symptoms. We know that smoking, obesity, having a more sedentary lifestyle can impact vasomotor symptoms. I think some really interesting research looks at the psychological influences here. We know that women who have higher levels of neuroticism, when they go through perimenopause, have more anxiety and mood changes associated with it. People who have higher levels of somatic anxiety, coming into this perimenopausal transition, can also have a tougher time. I think that makes sense when we think about someone with somatic anxiety. They're going to be very, very attuned to these small changes in their body. During perimenopause, there are these huge changes that are happening in your body. That can trigger, I think, a lot of anxiety and a focus on the symptoms.  I think with vasomotor symptoms specifically, like hot flashes and hot flashes specifically, night sweats, not quite as much, we know that there are these psychological characteristics that probably perpetuate and worsen hot flashes. When someone has a hot flash, it's certainly uncomfortable for most people. But the level of distress can be very different. They've looked at the cognitions that occur when people have hot flashes and at some point, people believe like, “Oh, this is very embarrassing, this is very shameful.” That doesn't help them process it. They might believe, “This is never going to go away. I can't cope with it.” That's also not going to help. I think that's really a target for cognitive behavioral therapy to help people during this time. Kimberley: It just makes me think too, as somebody who has friends going through this, and you can please correct me, what I've noticed is there's also a grief process that goes along with it too, like it's another flag in terms of being flown, in terms of I'm aging. I've also heard, but maybe you have more to say about people feeling like it makes them less feminine. Is that your experience too, or is that just my experience of what I've heard? Dr. Katie: No, I agree. I think in my clinical experience, people go through it in a lot of different ways. I think that there is this grief. I think it can bring out a lot of existential anxiety. It is a sign that you are getting older. This can bring up a lot of these questions like, who am I? What's my purpose? Where am I going? But I think it's really important to remind women that we're not defined by our reproductive functioning. I think that that's something that people forget. Were you less of a woman when you were 15 or when you were 10 maybe and you hadn't gone through puberty? You're still the same person. But I do think that there's a lot of cultural stress around this, and I think there are a lot of complexities around the way society sees aging women. I think that those are cultural issues that need to be fixed, but not necessarily a problem within the woman themselves. WHAT CAUSES MENOPAUSE AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS?  Kimberley: That's really helpful to know and understand. Okay, let's talk about if I could get a little more understanding of this relationship with anxiety. Maybe you can be clearer with me so that I understand it. Is it more of what we're saying in terms of like, it's the chicken and the egg? Is that what you mean in terms of people who have anxiety tend to have more symptoms, but then those symptoms can create more anxiety and it's like a snowball? Or is that not true for everybody? Can you explain how that works? Dr. Katie: With regard to the perimenopausal period, what I think researchers are trying to figure out is, do vasomotor symptoms, like hot flashes, lead to anxiety and panic, or do anxiety and panic worsen the vasomotor symptoms? We don't have a lot of information there. Part of it is because it's difficult to study. Because when you're doing symptom checklists, there's a lot of overlap between a hot flash and a panic attack. It's just been difficult, I think, to suss out in research. I think what we do know is there was one study that showed that people who have higher levels of anxiety are five times more likely to report hot flashes than women with anxiety in the normal range. Whether or not the anxiety is necessarily causing it, I do think that there's probably some perpetuation of like, I think that the anxiety is perpetuating the hot flashes, which perpetuates the anxiety. We just don't know exactly where it starts.  MENOPAUSE & PANIC ATTACKS  But I mean, if we just think about it for a second, if we think about what's common between them, I think that both panic attacks and hot flashes have a quick onset. They have a spontaneous onset, a rapid peak, they can be provoked by anxiety, they can include changes in temperature, like feelings of heat and sweating. They can have these palpitations, they can have this shortness of breath, nausea. And then it's very common that panic is reported during hot flashes, and hot flashes can be reported during panic. I think there's this interplay that we're trying to figure out. I think what's interesting too is that common antidepressants can treat both panic and hot flashes, which is not something that probably everybody knows. There are probably different reasons that they're treating each of them, but it is still just this other place where there is this overlap.  Kimberley: Okay. That's really interesting. One thing that really strikes me is I actually have a medical condition called postural orthostatic tachycardic syndrome (POTS), and you get really dizzy. I'm an Anxiety Specialist, so I can be good at pulling apart what is what, but it is very hard. You have to really be mindful to know the difference in the moment because let's say I have this whoosh of dizziness. My mind immediately first says I'm having a panic attack, which makes you panic. I'm assuming someone with that whoosh of maybe a hot flash has that same thing where your amygdala, I'm guessing, is immediately going to be like, “Yeah, we're having a panic attack. This is where we're going.” That makes a lot of sense to me. Now, some people also have reported to me that their anxiety has made them-- and again we have to understand what causes what, and we don't understand it, but how does that spread into their daily life? What I've heard is people say, “I don't feel like I can leave the house because what if I have a hot flash, which creates then a panic attack,” or “It's embarrassing to have a hot flash. You sweat and your clothes are all wet and so forth.” Do you have a common example of how that also shows up for people?  Dr. Katie: Yeah. I think that what you were alluding to is this behavioral avoidance that can happen. We can see that with panic attacks where people sometimes develop agoraphobia, fear of being in certain places. Sometimes they don't want to leave their home. I think with hot flashes, we do also see this behavioral avoidance when people especially tend to find them very distressing. They catastrophize it when they happen. They worry about social shaming. That avoidance, I think, the way that we understand anxiety is that if you have an anxiety and then you change your behaviors as a result of that anxiety, that tends to perpetuate the anxiety. That's one of the targets of cognitive behavioral therapy for hot flashes, is really trying to unwind some of this behavioral avoidance. Also, we know that temperature changes can trigger hot flashes. Unfortunately, it looks like strong positive and strong negative emotion can trigger hot flashes, just feeling any end of the spectrum. There are certain other triggers that can trigger hot flashes. I think that it's just this discomfort and this fear of having a hot flash that I think really generalizes the anxiety during this time.  HORMONES, ANXIETY, & MENOPAUSE There's also this interesting hormonal component too that's being studied as well. We've talked a little bit about progesterone. But in reproductive psychiatry, we really focus on this metabolite of progesterone called allopregnanolone. I think this is interesting because allopregnanolone is a metabolite of progesterone. We know that progesterone is going like this, up and up and down during this time. Allopregnanolone works on this receptor that tends to have very calming effects. Other things that work at this receptor are benzodiazepines like Xanax and Ativan or alcohol. It has this calming effect. But when it's going like this, it's calming and then it's not, and then it's calming and then it's not, up and down rollercoaster. There's some thought that that specifically might contribute to anxiety during this time. It can be more generalized. It's not always just related to hot flashes, even though we've been more specific on that. It can be the same as anxiety at any point in anyone else's life, like ruminative thoughts, worry, intrusive thoughts, just this general discomfort. I think this is a really exciting area of research where we're looking at ways to modulate this pathway to help women cope better. There are studies looking at progesterone metabolites to see if they can be helpful with mood changes during this time. Kimberley: Interesting. Let's work through it. As a clinician, if someone presents with anxiety, what I would usually do is do an inventory of the behaviors that they do in effort to reduce or remove that anxiety or uncertainty that they feel. And then we practice purposely returning to those behaviors. Exposure and so forth. From what you understand, would you be doing the same with the hot flashes or is there a balance between, there will be sometimes where you will go in purposely or go out and live your life whether you have a hot flash or not? How do we balance that from a clinical standpoint? Even as a clinician, I'm curious to know. As a clinician, what would I encourage my client to do? Would it be like our normal response of, “Come on, let's just do it, let's face all of our fears,” or is there a bit of a balance here that we move towards? Dr. Katie: It's more of a balance. I think one of the important things is that what you want to do-- I think the focus is on the cognition here a little bit. I'm not familiar and I don't think that exposure to hot flashes is intentionally triggering hot flashes repeatedly, like sometimes we do in panic disorders is part of this. What I understand from the protocol is that it's really looking at the unhelpful cognitions that relate to menopause, aging, and vasomotor symptoms. This idea of like, everybody is looking at me when I'm having a hot flash, this is so shameful. Or maybe it goes further, like no one will like me anymore. Who knows exactly where it can go? We know that when people have cognitive distortions, it's not really based on rational thinking. I think other part is you work on monitoring and modifying hot flash triggers, so it feels more in your control like temperature changes and doing those things. I think other things that you do is there's some evidence for diaphragmatic breathing to help with the management of hot flashes. You teach someone those skills. I think your idea is you want to get them back out there and living their life despite the hot flashes, and also just education. This isn't going to last forever. Yes, this is uncomfortable, but everybody goes through this. This is a normal part of aging. Also encouraging them to seek treatment if they need it. In addition to therapy, we know that there are medications that can help with this. If the hot flashes are impacting their life in a significant way or very distressing to them, go see a reproductive psychiatrist or go see an OB-GYN who can talk to you about the different options to really treat what's coming up. Kimberley: Right. That's helpful. I want to quickly just add on to that with your advice. I think what you're saying is when we come from an anxiety treatment model, we are looking at exposure, but when it comes to someone who's going through this real life, like their actual symptoms aren't imagined, they're there, it's okay for them to modify to not be going to hot saunas and so forth that we know that they're going to be triggered, but just to do the things that get them back to their daily functioning, but it is still okay for them. I think what I'm trying to say is it's still okay for them to be doing some accommodation of the symptoms of perimenopause, but not accommodation of the anxiety. Is that where we draw the line? Dr. Katie: I think that's a really good way of explaining it. DEPRESSION AND MENOPAUSE Kimberley: All right. The other piece of this is as important, which is how depression impacted here. Can you share a little bit how mood changes can be impacted by perimenopause?  Dr. Katie: Definitely. We know that there's a significant increase in not only the onset of a new depression, but also recurrence of prior depressive episodes during perimenopause. It's probably related to the changing levels of hormones, but also, I think what we've alluded to and what we have to acknowledge is there are big life changes that are happening around this time as well. I think cultural views of aging, I think a lot of times people have changes in their relationships, their partners. Their libido can change. There's so many moving parts that they think that also contributes to it.  But specifically with regard to perimenopausal depression, we categorize this in the reproductive subtype of depression. At these different periods of hormonal transition, certain women are prone to have a depressive episode. We know that that's true during normal cycling. For example, premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD is a reproductive subtype of depression. People sometimes get depressed in those two weeks before their period and then feel fine during the week of their period or the week after. During the luteal phase, they experience depression. We know that that group of women also is at increased risk for perinatal depression, so depression during pregnancy and postpartum. And then that same group is also at risk for perimenopausal depression. What we know is that a subset of women is probably sensitive to normal levels of changing hormones, and that for them, it triggers a depressive episode.  One of the biggest risk factors for depression during perimenopause is a prior history of depression. Unfortunately, the way depression works is that once you have it, you're more likely to have it in the future. For people who have had depression in their life or have specifically had depression around these times of hormonal transition, it's probably just important to keep an eye on how they're doing, make sure they have appropriate support, whether that's from a therapist or a psychiatrist, and monitor themselves closely. Kimberley: Okay. This is really helpful to know. We know that people with anxiety tend to have depression as well. Have you found those who've had previous depression or previous anxiety also have coexisting in terms of having those panic attacks and depression at the same time? Dr. Katie: That's interesting. I haven't read any research on that. It wouldn't surprise me. But I think at least for research purposes, they're separating it. I think clinically, of course, we can see it being all mixed together. But for research, it's depression or panic and they keep those separate. Kimberley: Right. One thing that just came to me in terms of just clarifying too is, I'm assuming a lot of people who have health anxiety are incredibly triggered during perimenopause as well, these symptoms that are unexplained but explained. But I'm wondering, is that also something that you commonly see in terms of they're having these symptoms and questioning whether it means something serious is happening? Has that been something that you see a lot of? Dr. Katie: Definitely. I think the first time someone has a hot flash, it can be extremely distressing. It's a very uncomfortable sensation. I think there are other changes that happen during perimenopause that, of course, I think, raise concern. We know that in addition to night sweats, people can just have general aches and pains. They can have headaches. Cognitive complaints can be very common during this time. Just this feeling of brain fog, not feeling as sharp as one used to be. They can have sleep disturbances, which can of course worsen the anxiety and the cognitive complaints, and the depression. I think there can be a myriad of symptoms. Other distressing symptoms, I'm not sure if they necessarily-- I think if you know what's going on, it's not quite as distressing, but there can be these urogenital symptoms, like vaginal dryness, vaginal burning. There can be recurrent UTIs, there can be difficulty with urination. There are this constellation of symptoms that I'm sure could trigger health anxiety in people, especially if they have preexisting health anxiety. WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAIALBLE TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM MENOPAUSE (OR PERIMENOPAUSE) AND ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION?  Kimberley: Yeah, absolutely. Someone's listened to this episode so they're at least informed, which is wonderful. They start to see enough evidence that this may be what is going on for them. What would be the steps following that? Is it something that you just go through and like a fever, you just ride it out kind of thing? Or are there medications or treatments? What would you suggest someone do in the order as they go through it? Dr. Katie: I think it depends on what's going on and how they're experiencing it. If this is distressing, life interfering, if they're having trouble functioning, they should absolutely seek treatment. I think there are a few different things they can do depending on what's going on. For depression and anxiety, medications are the first line. Antidepressants would still be the first-line therapy there. There's some evidence for menopausal hormone therapy, but there's not really enough. There is evidence for menopausal hormone therapy, but it's not currently first line for depression or anxiety. If someone had treatment-resistant depression that came up in the perimenopausal transition, I think it's reasonable to consider menopausal hormone therapy. But currently, menopausal hormone therapy isn't really recommended for that.  If someone is having distressing vasomotor symptoms with night sweats and recurrent hot flashes or hot flushes during the day, menopausal hormone therapy is a very good option. That is something to consider. They could go talk to their OB-GYN about it. Certain people will be candidates for it and other people might not. If you think it might be something you're interested in, I recommend going and speaking to your OB-GYN sooner rather than later.  Antidepressants themselves can also help with vasomotor symptoms as well. They can specifically help with hot flashes and night sweats. If someone has depression and anxiety and hot flashes and night sweats, antidepressant can be a really good choice because it can help with both of those. There was a really interesting study that compared Lexapro to menopausal hormone therapy for hot flashes, for quality of life, for sleep, and for depression. Essentially, both of them helped sleep quality of life in vasomotor symptoms, but only the Lexapro helped the depression. It really just depends on what's going on.  I think another thing that we've also talked about is therapy. This can be a big life transition. I think really no woman going through menopause is the same. Some people have toddlers. Some people have grown children who have just left their home. Some people are just starting their career. Some people are about to retire. Relationships can change. I think that it's really important to take what's going on in the context of a woman's life. I think therapy can be really helpful to help them process and understand what they're going through. Kimberley: Right. You had mentioned before, and I just wanted to touch on this, vaginal drying and stuff like that, which I'm sure, again, a reason for this series is just how much sexual intimacy and so forth can impact somebody's satisfaction in life or functioning or in relationships. Is that something that is also treatable with these different treatment models or is there a different treatment for that?  Dr. Katie: With menopausal hormone therapy, when someone has hot flashes or these other symptoms that we were talking about, not the urogenital ones, they need to take systemic menopausal hormone therapy. They basically need estrogen and progesterone to go throughout their body. When someone is just having these urogenital symptoms, they can often use topical vaginal estrogen. It's applied vaginally. That can be really helpful for those symptoms as well. I think if that's something that someone is struggling with that they want treatment for, it's very reasonable to go talk to their OB-GYN about it because there are therapies that can be-- Kimberley: Right, that's like a cream or lotion kind of thing.  Dr. Katie: Exactly.  Kimberley: Interesting. Oh wow. All right. That is so helpful. We've talked about the medical piece, the medication piece. A lot of people also I see on social media mostly talk about these more-- I don't want to use the word “natural” because I don't like that word “natural.” I don't even know what word I would use, but non-medical-- Dr. Katie: Like supplements or-- Kimberley: Yeah. I know it's different for everyone and everyone listening should please seek a doctor for medical advice, but is that something that you talk about with patients or do you stick more just to the things that have been researched? What are your thoughts? Dr. Katie: I think that supplements can be helpful for some people. I don't always find that they're as effective as medications. If someone is really struggling on a day-to-day basis, I do think that using treatments that have more evidence behind them is better. I think that there are some supplements that have a little bit of evidence, but I do think that they come with their own risks. Because supplements aren't regulated by the FDA and things like that, I don't typically recommend them. I think if someone is interested in finding a more naturopathic doctor who might be able to talk to them about those things is reasonable.  Kimberley: Super helpful. Is there anything that you feel like we haven't covered or that would be important for us to really drill home and make sure we point out here at the end before we finish up? Dr. Katie: I think we've covered a lot. I think that the most important thing that I really want to stress is this is a normal part of aging. This is not a disease; this is not a disease state. Also, there are treatments that can be so effective. You don't have to struggle in silence. It is not something shameful. There are clinicians who are trained, who are able to help if these symptoms are coming up. Just not being afraid to go and talk about it and go reach out for help. I think that that can be so helpful and really life-changing for some people when they get the right treatment. Kimberley: Right. Thank you. Where can we hear about you, get in touch with you, maybe seek out your services? Dr. Katie: You can find me online. I have a website. It's just www.drkatiemd.com. It's D-R-K-A-T-I-E-M-D.com. You can follow me on Instagram on the same. If you're interested to see more of my talks and lectures, I often post those on my LinkedIn page. You can follow me on LinkedIn. I think if you are personally interested in learning more about menopause, there's a really great book by an OB-GYN, her name is Dr. Jen Gunter, and it's called The Menopause Manifesto. For anybody who really wants to educate themselves about menopause and understand more about what's going on in their body and their treatments, I really recommend that book. Kimberley: Amazing. That's so good to have that resource as well. Thank you. I'm really, really honored. I know you're doing so many amazing things and running so many amazing programs. I'm so grateful for your time and your expertise on this. Dr. Katie: Of course. I'm so glad that you're doing a podcast on this. I think this is a topic that we really need more information and education out there. Kimberley: Yeah. Thank you.

Stress affects us in different ways.  For some, everyday stress makes it hard to sleep keeping us awake at night.  It makes others eat too much or not at all.  But did you know that stress can cause you to lose your hair?  We breakdown the truth behind stressed-out hair and what we can do to save it.  We welcome Trichologist and Celebrity Hair Care Specialist/Stylist, Shann Christen, to the studio to give us the true science behind hair loss, alopecia, and its connection to unmanaged stress, our diets, ageing, and our actions.  He clears up hair myths and fallacies that are making our hair fall out and educates us step-by-step on simple ways to improve and restore our luscious locks.  Cecile is living proof that it works.  Listen in and start growing healthier hair!

In this conversation, I am speaking with Ebony Nichols. Ebony is a somatic mental health and wellness practitioner, Board Certified Dance/Movement Psychotherapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, licensed cosmetologist, and entrepreneur. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at The College of New Rochelle in psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy. She was awarded the presidential scholarship to attend Lesley University's Doctorate program in Counseling and Psychology: Transformative Leadership, Education and Applied Research, where she plans to continue her research and work rooted in cultural/race identity, trauma-informed healing care, centering Black Aesthetics of the African Diaspora through cultural movement narratives, non-verbal communication, and somatic-based healing practices. Ebony has been the proprietor of Locks of Nu Natural Hair Spa since 2003. Utilizing their mission of "Healing the Community Follicle by Follicle"; her primary focus was to create a therapeutic environment within the African American community; this was her genesis for connecting artistic/cultural aesthetic expression, self-care and psychology. Trained in ballet and modern dance, Ebony found her love for the freedom of movement in the NYC house dance community. In 2005, she co-founded Afro Mosaic Soul Dance Collective, using social dance and music as a tool for emotional healing and expression. In addition, Ebony has experience in partial hospitalization/inpatient psychiatry and mental health care facilities working with individuals who present with psychotic and behavioral health concerns, as well as with individuals who are developmentally diverse and experience physical, emotional, and sensory challenges. She has also worked with a non-profit organization in partnership with New York City public schools to develop social-emotional resiliency from an anti-oppressive strength-based lens. Ebony's international experience includes Ghana and Togo West Africa, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua utilizing various techniques of expressive art therapy toward personal/communal healing while exploring the dynamics of underrepresented communities. Ebony has co-presented her research, Moving Blind Spots: Cultural Bias in the Movement Repertoire of Dance/ Movement Therapists at the American Dance Therapy Association's (ADTA) Annual Conference (2018) and co-facilitated the American Dance Therapy Association's 2019 Plenary, Honoring Multiplicity: An Embodied Keynote Experience. Ebony is the Multicultural and Diversity Committee Chair Elect for the ADTA and was awarded the honor of the "Leader of Tomorrow Award" (2019) and “The Innovation Award” (2021) for her research in the Africanist Aesthetic in Movement Observation, by the organization. In addition to the American Dance Therapy Association, Ebony is also a professional member of The Association of Black Psychologist (ABPsi) and The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). For more information, visit her website: ayacreativewellness.com. I also want to name Tricia Hersey as the author Ebony mentiones who wrote Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

In this episode, Dr. Howland and Dakota begin by discussing his hair transplant and then dive into the mistakes they made as kids and what it takes to change yourself for the better, and what that change begins!

In this minute of Joe Johnston's 2011 film ‘Captain America: The First Avenger,' Tommy Metz III, director of ‘30 Nights,' joins us as we continue the journey through propaganda posters in the credits roll.

Jelly donut with hair... who knew.

Some of the best tactics to cover up hair loss is how to style your hair, if the option of shaving it completely off is not even an option. And this option is often to bring the hair forward to cover up the signs. No one would ever dream of pulling their hair back when they have signs of hair loss... In this episode of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah talks about why he wears his hair pulled back in a ponytail. -- For more information about hair loss solutions, check out our website: https://www.aestheticscalp.com

In the previous episode of Follicle Talk, we discussed the loss of hair in relation to self-esteem. In this episode, Dr. Anil Shah talks about how self-esteem can be restored with a solution for hair loss in the form of hair transplantation based on scientific research and scientific publications. -- For more about hair restoration and transplantation, visit our website: https://www.aestheticscalp.com

Aging can often be daunting and affect their self-esteem. But how does it affect men in particular in relation to hair loss? In this mini-episode of FOLLICLE TALK, Dr. Anil Shah discusses the correlation as presented in a recent scientific paper. This part 1 of 2 in this mini series. Check out Episode 38 for more information. -- For more about Hair Loss Solutions, check out our website: https://www.aestheticscalp.com

Hair transplantation is a timely procedure, from surgery to healing. Many patients often don't seek a hair transplant as an option just because of downtime. In this FOLLICLE TALK Mini-Podcast, Dr. Anil Shah talks about how he gives his patients the option of a Stealth Technique. Listen here to find out what it is. -- For more information about hair loss solutions, visit our website: https://aestheticscalp.com/

It has been scientifically shown that smoking can cause many problems for people. But does smoking also affect hair loss? In this Follicle Talk Mini-Podcast, Dr. Anil Shah discusses the side effects of what smoking does to the hair and its contribution to hair loss. -- For more information about hair loss solutions, visit our website: https://aestheticscalp.com/

Alopecia Areata has been a spotlighted hair disorder in the past few weeks. But what is it? What causes Alopecia Areata? In this Follicle Talk episode, Dr. Anil Shah talks about this subject, which is near and dear to his heart.  -- For more information about hair loss solutions, visit our website: https://aestheticscalp.com/

Oftentimes, in hair transplantations, a number of grafts can be extracted and implanted that would give you the best results. When big numbers like 6000 grafts are said, a number of red flags and issues arise. But how do you get the results that you are looking for? In this Follicle Talk episode, Dr. Anil Shah discusses how planning and strategy can wield great results with a lesser number of grafts. -- For more information about hair transplantation, visit our website: https://aestheticscalp.com/

It is important to have a plan when coming up with your goals with your hair transplant doctor. In this Follicle Talk episode, Dr. Anil Shah discusses what to expect when you make these plans and how to get the most out of your procedure. -- For More Information About Hair Transplantation and Hair Restoration Treatments, Visit Our Website: https://aestheticscalp.com/

In the previous FOLLICLE TALK Mini-Podcast Episode, we discussed who would not make for a good candidate for  ARTAS iX Site Making. Today, we will speak on who is the best candidate for site making  In this FOLLICLE TALK episode, Dr. Anil Shah from Aesthetic Scalp weighs in on the patients who would make good candidates for ARTAS iX Site Making. -- For More Information about Dr. Anil Shah and Aesthetic Scalp, visit our website: https://www.aestheticscalp.com

The ARTAS iX Hair Restoration robot is a vast improvement on the previous technology for robotic hair transplantation with its ability to robotically create sites for implantation. But are there patients who are NOT good candidates for  ARTAS iX site making? In this FOLLICLE TALK mini-podcast episode, Dr. Anil Shah from Aesthetic Scalp weighs in on the patients who would not make good candidates for ARTAS iX Site Making. -- For More Information about Dr. Anil Shah and Aesthetic Scalp, visit out website: https://www.aestheticscalp.com

The ARTAS iX Hair Restoration Robot is one of the most advanced robots on the market today. In this mini-episode of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah from Aesthetic Scalp talks about the revolutionary advances that ARTAS has made with their latest creation. Its ability to make sites. -- For more information about AESTHETIC SCALP in Chicago, IL, Visit Our Website: https://www.aestheticscalp.com

Controversies about excess toxicity of vitamins and its effects on hair loss has arisen recently. In this mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah discusses the merit of this controversy and how much is too much when it comes to vitamin intake and  your hair. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

How accurate is hair analysis? And does it help determine your path when it comes to hair loss and treatment? In this mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah, Dr. Shah goes more into how hair analysis works and whether or not its dependency. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

Whether you're having an FUT or a FUE procedure, once you remove your hair from your head, it is no longer physically connected to blood supply and nourishment. So the question is how do you keep the hair alive? In this brand new mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah will answer this question explaining how he maintains the hair “alive”. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

Can micro punches during a hair transplantation lead to visible scars? In this brand new mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah goes more in depth into this concern that many patients have and what he does to prevent it. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

Why are recipient sites one of the most important factors in hair surgery? In this brand new mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah talks about one of the most critical elements in hair transplant surgery: the recipient sites and how each individual hair is going to be directed and how it's, where it is going to be located. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

Why does Dr. Anil Shah remove scalp in many of my patients? In this brand new mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Shah explains why and how he decides to adopt this technique on his patients, allowing them to get a good result with one treatment rather than multiple. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

One of Dr. Shah's secrets of hair transplantation is revealed in this episode! In this brand new mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah explains how he is able to get great results with not many hairs transplanted, one of his secrets. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

Which is a better regenerative medicine approach to hair restoration and health? Exosomes or PRP? In this brand new mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah talks about exosomes and PRP explaining differences and procedures. Also Dr. Shah discusses why he favors one more than the other. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

The Hair Facial... What The Heck Is It? In this brand new mini-podcast of Follicle Talk, Dr. Anil Shah talks about what this technique is and how it can be useful for maintaining a clean and healthy scalp. -- For more about hair transplantation for men and women, check out our website at: https://aestheticscalp.com/

Are you ready to BIOHACK a full, thick head of hair?!Faraz Khan joins the Podcast to discuss regrowing, restoring, and reversing hair loss. He sheds light on solutions to solve the hair loss epidemic and answers the mountain of questions that drive those suffering from hair loss to understand why? From hormones to minerals, to red light therapies, laser combs, special herbal formulations, and MORE…if you are looking to optimize the density and thickness of your hair…this episode is for you.Join this former computer scientist turned longevity educator, speaker, and biohacker. Faraz is also the host of the Anti-Aging Hacks podcast and helps thousands of humans as he shares his journey to increase longevity!There's a lot to unpack in this episode, so stay tuned!HIGHLIGHTS[01:30] The connection between hair loss and aging[15:58] Reasons for hair loss[26:39] Addressing hair loss step by step[34:58] Tool to stimulate the scalp and skin[38:34] Timeline for growing back hair with new technology[50:54] What it means to be beautifully broken for FarazUPGRADE YOUR WELLNESSClaim your free toxicity consult through this LINKAMD Ion Cleanse: https://calendly.com/ioncleanse/detoxCellcore - https://freddiesetgo.com/favorites/cellcore/ My favorite BindersLightPath LED https://lightpathled.com/?wpam_id=2 Discount Code - beautifullybrokenCelsius Network Website - https://celsius.network/ My Fav CRYPTO BankingBioStrap:https://biostrap.com/order-evo?ref=freddiekimmelp My Favorite Recovery TrackerDiscount: BEAUTIFULLYBROKENCONNECT WITH FARAZFaraz's website - https://antiaginghacks.net/Fully Vital website - https://fullyvital.com/CONNECT WITH FREDDIECheck out my website and download “The Beautifully Broken Buyer's Guide” - https://freddiesetgo.com/Join my membership program -https://www.buymeacoffee.com/freddiesetgoInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/freddiesetgo/