S4 Ep195: VULVAR RELIEF! New Research Takes the Pain out of Vulvodynia and Lichen Sclerosus with Dr. Andrew Goldstein

Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information: Menopause, Midlife, and More

February 12, 2026 ∙ 56 mins
Episode 150

About

 Of all of the vulvar conditions out there, two of the most frustrating to treat are VULVODYNIA and LICHEN SCLEROSUS.  Even when properly diagnosed, treatment can be challenging. But help is on the way! 
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Goldstein discusses new cutting-edge research and treatments for both vulvodynia and lichen sclerosus. 
Dr. Goldstein describes 5 ongoing studies and how you can participate in this groundbreaking research. 
This is truly one of the most exciting and groundbreaking interviews I have ever done, which will change the lives of millions of women who suffer from vulvar conditions.

VULVODYNIA AND VESTIBULODYNIA

  • Definition of vulvodynia and vestibulodynia
  • Symptoms of vulvodynia and vestibulodynia
  • Why these conditions are underdiagnosed
  • How to get an accurate diagnosis
  • The role of tight pelvic floor muscles
  • Why it is important to examine the belly button 
  • Current treatments
  • When surgery is appropriate
3 New Vestibulodynia Research Studies! 
Ketotifen Study
Ketotifen fumarate is a topical medication used to reduce nerve sensitivity and inflammation. It was recently identified by a group of vulvodynia experts as the best option to research for treatment of provoked nerve pain at the vulvar vestibule.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ketotifen fumarate 0.25% cream for treating vestibular nerve pain. The study will
include 4 clinic visits over an approximately 15-week period. 
Resiniferatoxin (RTX) Study
Pelvic Floor Study


LICHEN SCLEROSUS
  • Definition of Lichen Sclerosus (LS) 
  • Why it is important to treat
  • Who gets it
  • Symptoms (and lack of symptoms) of LS
  • Why an adequate vulvar exam is so important
  • Current treatment of LS

2 Research Studies
JaK-Stac Pathway Inhibitors
StrataMGT™

To participate in vulvodynia and lichen sclerosus research
E-mail: Research.cvvd@gmail.com

Other LINKS
Dr. Goldsteons webiste: vulvodynia.com
How to get a Hands-free vulvar view

Substack Post :Vulvar Care: The Dos, The Don’t and the Myths

StrataMGT can be purchased outside of a study protocol. It is NOT to be used instead of your prescribed medication, but as an adjunct.  https://us.stratamgt.com/

COME AGAIN is a 30-part audio series to address the biological, hormonal, and medical issues that can sabotage your sex life. This solution-driven, science-based guide will help get your libido to kick in and your clitoral nerve endings to wake up.

For more information, go to DrStreicher.com/COMEAGAIN

Dr. Streicher is on SUBSTACK      DrStreicher.Substack.com

  • Articles
  • Monthly News Flash Reports on recent research 
  • Monthly Zoom Ask Me Anything Webinar

Lauren Streicher MD, is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society. 

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. 
 

LINKS


Books by Lauren Streicher, MD

                                  

 
  Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information podcast is for education and information and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.
 
 
 

Information

Podcast

Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information: Menopause, Midlife, and More

Episode

150

Date

February 12, 2026

Length

56 mins
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    Women who have a history of a blood clot, or a risk factor that makes them at high risk for developing a blood clot are generally told that hormone therapy is not an option. And then there is that terrifying black box warning on every single estrogen product, including local vaginal estrogens, that states, “Using […]

  • S3 Ep133: Best Breast Advice When it comes to Hormone Therapy With Dr. Corinne Menn

    There continues to be great confusion regarding the impact of hormone therapy on the breast. And despite the known benefits of hormone therapy, and reassuring data regarding the impact of hormone therapy on breast cancer, most clinicians are still reluctant to prescribe it, and most women are reluctant to take it. Even more so if […]

  • S3 Ep132: The Itchy Vulva (and Not So Itchy Vulva) with Dr. Jill Krapf

    Men have always had the obvious advantage of inspecting their genitalia with essentially no effort on their part. For women, it’s a little more challenging. Combine that with the recommendation that there is no need for women to have a gynecologic exam as they get older, most doctors are also not looking. Today I am […]

  • S3 Ep131: Why You Need to Keep Seeing a Gyne with Dr. Shieva Ghofrany

    More likely than not, if you are over 65, your internist has declared everything between your belly button and your thighs to be the “NO NEED” zone. “NO NEED”  for a pap, “NO NEED”  need for a speculum, “NO NEED”  to remove your underpants, and definitely “NO NEED”  to see a gynecologist unless you have […]

  • S3 Ep130: Are You Ever Done with Menopause?

    … and how to increase longevity with and without hormone therapy The idea that menopause only lasts for a few years is a common misconception. You may have even been told by a  medical professional that when you no longer have hot flashes, you are done with menopause!   But menopause means you’re no longer […]

  • S3 Ep129: PCOS Problems Post Menopause with Dr. Allison Rodgers

    When I first learned about PCOS during my training, I was told that once a woman with PCOS hit menopause, irregular periods, excess hair growth dealing with fertility problems and other manifestations of PCOS were in the rear-view mirror. And that’s true, but we now know that women who had PCOS during the reproductive years, […]

  • S3 Ep128: Can you Exercise Your Hot Flashes Away? A Journal Club with Dr. Maria Sophocles

    While not everyone is necessarily good about regular physical activity, no one questions that it’s good for you. Cardiovascular health, weight management, cognitive function, mood, better sleep and even reducing the risk of many kinds of cancer are all established benefits to moving as opposed to sitting on your butt all day. But, when it […]

  • S3 Ep126: A Deep Dive into RECURRENT UTI-Update!

    The only thing more miserable than a urinary tract infection (UTI) is when it happens again, and again, and again. But, good news, there are ways to prevent post menopause RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.  But sometimes urinary urgency, burning and that “gotta go” feeling is NOT FROM an INFECTION, and need a completely different kind […]

  • S3 Ep124: All Hormones Are Not Created Equal With Dr. James Simon

    Every available type of hormone therapy will effectively eliminate hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.   However, all hormone therapy is not the same.  Individual formulations impact bone health, breast health, and cardiovascular health differently.   In episode 123, Dr. James Simon and I discussed starting hormone therapy after the age of 60. In this […]

  • S3 Ep123: Hormone Therapy AFTER Age 60 with Dr. James Simon

    While it has been established that the most optimal time to start hormone therapy is within ten years of the menopause transition or before age 60, one of the most common questions that pops up is, “Is it safe to start hormone therapy after age 60?” In this episode I have a conversation with Dr. […]

  • S3 Ep122: Navigating Menopause: Celebrity Style- Here We Go Again!

    In 2009 I was invited to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show as a menopause expert to counter the other menopause “expert”, actress turned author Suzanne Somers.   “Dr” Somers is not the only celebrity to help women navigate menopause.  Today, Gwyneth Paltrow, Selma Hayek, Naomi Watts, and others are also doling out advice, and […]

  • S3 Ep121: Dr. Streicher and Dr. Mary Claire Haver Respond to a “New” Model to Manage Menopause

                                    Don’t Mess with These Menopause Experts! When The Lancet, one of the oldest, most respected medical journals, published a series of articles saying that “menopause had been over-medicalized”, that many symptoms were “just in her head” and that overall, […]

  • S3 Ep119: Weighing in on Weight Loss Drugs

    Dr. Kathleen Jordon and I sat down to discuss the two most commonly prescribed GLP- 1 Inhibitors:  Semaglutide (Ozempic™) and Terzepatide (Mounjaro™)  What are GLP1 Inhibitors? How GLP-1 Inhibitors  Who is a GOOD CANDIDATE to take a GLP-1 Inhibitor Who is NOT a GOOD CANDIDATE based on medical conditions Other HEALTH BENEFITS from taking a […]

  • S3 Ep118: How Hormones Impact the Gut and GERD

    It was news to me that estrogen levels can impact on the likelihood of reflux, your gut microbiome, and even the frequency and consistency of your poop. It’s complicated, and I had a hard time interpreting the data, so I invited gastroenterologist Dr. Michael Ruchim to help me out.  In this episode: How and why […]

  • S2 Ep117: Top Tips for Terrific Skin & Hair with Dr. Ellen Gendler

    In this episode I am talking to a dermatologist that has over 100 thousand followers on Instagram. And with good reason. She is funny, she tells it like it is, she is a rock star in the world of dermatology and is my go-to when it comes to mid-life skin care, fillers, Botox, not to […]

  • S2 Ep116: Your HEART on Hormones-Update!

    Estrogen is not only good for your brain, your bladder, and your bones, estrogen is also good for your blood vessels. And a lack of estrogen is one of the reasons, that heart disease spikes in women post menopause. Hormone therapy, if started within ten years of the menopause transition, appears to be heart protective. […]

  • S2 Ep112: The Cosmo Report on Sex After 60 with Dr. Rachel Zar

    In the 1960s, under the leadership of Helen Gurley Brown, Cosmo morphed from a “proper ladies’ magazine” to a much racier version that was thought of as being a sex manual disguised as a woman’s magazine. The target audience was the young working woman. Women in their 60s were not reading it and were certainly […]

  • S2 Ep111: BONE UP with Hormone Therapy with Dr. Kristi DeSapri

    While many women are aware that hormone therapy is good for the bones, it is usually thought of as a side benefit. You know, women take hormone therapy because they are flashing or can’t sleep and then are told, are told, by the way ..estrogen will also help prevent bone loss.  In the United States, […]

  • S2 Ep110: Home Menopause Tests YEA! or NAY?

    Pregnancy tests, ovulation tests…and now the latest in tests you can do in your bathroom laboratory- Menopause Tests! Clear Blue™, who sell ovulation predictor kits and home pregnancy tests, has come out with an over-the-counter kit to help women who are “confused and wondering if what you’re feeling is the start of the menopause journey, […]

  • S2 Ep109: Don't Retire…Rewire! with Jill Wine-Banks

    Jill Wine-Banks may be known to you as the Watergate Special Prosecutor who famously cross-examined Rose Mary Woods, President Nixon’s secretary, about the 18-minute gap in the Watergate tapes.  In addition to multiple other high-profile jobs (scroll down for the list!) decades later, she is now an MSNBC Legal Analyst. In addition, she is the […]

  • S2 Ep108: Hot Topics in Menopause with Dr. Terry Gibbs

     A recurrent theme in my podcasts is that most medical students and residents do not get training in sexual medicine and menopause, which is why most doctors are not experts. And why so many women get frustrated that finding solutions for their menopause symptoms is too often a do-it-yourself research project. But today, I am […]

  • S2 Ep106: 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 […]

  • S2 Ep105: 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 […]

  • S2 Ep104: 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 […]

  • S2 Ep103: 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 […]

  • S2 Ep102: An Insider Approach to Ovarian Cancer with Dr. Shieva Ghofrany

    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 […]

  • S2 Ep101: 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 […]

  • S2 Ep100: Why Women Gain Weight in Menopause

    On average, women put on 5-7 pounds during perimenopause, and then 1 to 5 pounds every year after. While lifestyle and age are partially responsible, men have the same genetics, lifestyle changes and less than perfect diets as women do. But it is twice as likely– for a midlife woman to have obesity compared to […]

  • S2 Ep99: When Perimenopausal BLEEDING is the Problem

    Years before estrogen production completely shuts down, hormone levels start to fluctuate wildly during that special time of life known as perimenopause. Perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations result in the same symptoms that many women experience when they are in full menopause, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and insomnia. But there is a bonus symptom that post-menopausal women […]

  • S2 Ep98: Live From THE MENOPAUSE SOCIETY Annual Meeting

    The Menopause Society, formerly known as the North American Menopause Society, or NAMS, is the professional society to which pretty much every menopause expert and researcher belongs. Every year menopause experts from all over the world gather for five days of lectures, symposiums, panel discussions, and presentation of new research at the menopause society annual […]

  • S2 Ep97: Are You Laughing at Me or Did You Have an Orgasm?

    If you laugh, weep, or have foot pain when have an orgasm, you are not the only one. But, since it’s not a topic that generally comes up in casual conversation, you may think you are the only one, and end up spending a lot of time explaining to your partner that you are not […]

  • S2 Ep95: Herbs, Spices, and Wishful Thinking

    It is estimated that between 50% and 75% of postmenopausal women use complementary and alternative therapies for management of menopausal symptoms. The options are as endless, as are the ads. In today’s episode I’m going to fill you in on which of the over-the-counter botanicals might fix your broken thermostat.  This episode is the last […]

  • S2 Ep94: HORMONES and the VOICE

    Have you ever wondered why so many women professional singers retire in their prime, but the guys keep on going?  I googled “musicians over the age of 70 who are still performing” and Paul McCartney, Elton John, Marvin Gaye,  Mick Jagger, and dozens of others popped up. The list was really long for guys, and […]

  • S2 Ep92: The Estrogen and Cancer Conundrum

                              Uterine? Ovarian? Cervical? Lung? Breast? Colon? Hormone therapy really needs a PR firm. Most people think it is right up there with cigarettes and asbestos as something that will more likely than not, give you not only breast cancer, but also other […]

  • S2 Ep90: The Connection Between ACHING JOINTS and ESTROGEN

    It’s no secret that there is a connection between menopause and hot flashes, but there are many other symptoms that are consequences of a lack of estrogen beyond night sweats, vaginal dryness, and bone loss. And joint pain is definitely on that list. So, what is the impact of menopause on arthritis and joint pain? […]

  • S2 Ep89: Faking Orgasm

    While not every woman fakes orgasm, and most don’t do it routinely, it’s the rare woman who hasn’t done it at least once. Early research indicated that roughly 55% of women have faked orgasm at least once in their lifetime. This general pattern has since been confirmed in more recent studies, some reporting rates as […]

  • S2 Ep88: VAGINAL LASER -Hoax or Helpful?

    Not only can you laser your face smooth, laser your pubic hair away, and laser off regrettable tattoos—you can also laser your vagina. But should you? Vaginal laser is highly controversial in medical circles. Here’s why it gets mixed reviews, along with need-to-know info if you do choose to sign up.  This episode will include:  […]

  • S2 Ep86: Will THAT Really Help Your Hot Flashes? The TRUTH About The Impact of Lifestyle and Other Interventions

    Many women are highly motivated to manage their hot flashes without hormones, drugs or sketchy herbs and spices.  But before investing in a pricey cooling device or signing up for a year’s worth of unlimited yoga, it helps to know what works—and what doesn’t. This is part two of a three-parter on non-hormonal strategies to […]

  • 86: When Hot Flash Hell Meets Headache Hell: Migraines and Menopause

    It is beyond unfair that when someone with menstrual migraines is finally heading into menopause and no longer must worry about monthly migraines, those same women often experience an uptick in frequency of headaches due to the peri menopausal hormone roller coaster.  In this episode, Dr. Streicher discusses:  The relationship between hormones and migraine headaches […]

  • S2 Ep85: Non-Hormonal Prescription Drugs to Treat Hot Flashes

    The 2023 Menopause Society  (NAMS) position statement regarding the non-hormonal treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms- hot flashes and night sweats- was just released. Position statements are expert analyses of current studies in order to determine recommendations based on science, as opposed to what the latest Tik Tok star or celebrity is promoting. Because new studies are […]

  • S2 Ep84: Estrogen and Alzheimer’s Disease

    An estimated 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia and woman are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease as men.   So does hormone therapy increase the risk of Alzheimers, decrease the risk or have no effect? That question has been in the news this last week because of a new study that suggests […]

  • S2 Ep82: Journal Club with Mary Jane Minkin MD

    In this episode, I sit down with menopause maven Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor of Ob-Gyn at Yale University, to discuss articles published in the most recent edition of Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society. We discuss the following 5 articles*:  Treating where it hurts—a randomized comparative trial of vestibule […]

  • S2 Ep81: I’m Almost 81 and Couldn’t Be Happier with That Number and My Life: A conversation with Kathryn Leigh Scott

    It is no longer unusual for a woman to live well into her 80s or 90s, allowing for multiple career chapters.  Today, my guest is 80-year-old former Playboy Bunny, actor, and author Kathryn Leigh Scott.  Kathryn Leigh Scott is best known as the actor who was the leading lady of NBCs Dark Shadow, the gothic […]

  • S2 Ep80: WHEN PROGESTERONE is a PROBLEM

    Your progesterone questions…Answered!  If estrogen is the good witch, for a lot of women, progesterone is the bad witch that causes bloating, weight gain, and moodiness. Some types of progestogens may also increase the risk of breast cancer.  In this episode, I am going to go through the good, the bad, and all the options […]

  • S2 Ep79: Gender Magic with Rae McDaniel

    As a sexual medicine expert, I interact with people every day who are confused, mystified, and often put off by the very idea that someone does not define themselves by the sex they were assigned at birth. My guest is Rae McDaniel – a non-binary therapist, certified sex therapist, transgender diversity and inclusion educator, and […]

  • S2 Ep78: When Menopause Makes You Moody

    This episode was prompted by the following question: “Will hormone therapy help with emotional lability, dysthymia, and crying jags? “   In this episode, I discuss:  How common it is to have depressive symptoms during perimenopause The difference between depressive symptoms and depression The difference between cognitive symptoms and mood symptoms  The psychosocial impact of […]

  • S2 Ep77: FEZOLINETANT! The New Non-Hormonal Hot Flash Drug

    This week the FDA approved FEZOLINETANT, a new NON-HORMONAL drug to get rid of HOT FLASHES. In this episode I am going to start by reviewing the science behind a hot flash, then move on to how this new drug works, how well it works and the side effects. And then, the big question:  “Is […]

  • S2 Ep75: The Great Wall of Vulva

    Imagine an art installation composed of 400 casts of vulvas -a sea of white plaster labia that stretches across an entire wall. An installation that is provocative, and beautiful, but also celebrates genital diversity and is a powerful antidote to genital anxiety. Meet Jamie McCartney, the artist behind The Great Wall of Vulva!  We discuss: […]

  • S2 Ep75: Hot and Bothered with Jancee Dunn

    New York Times health writer, Jancee Dunn, is a connoisseur when it comes to writing about cutting-edge research and scientific information. Her articles and books are based on exhaustive interviews with multiple experts, yet she manages to make them read like edgy sitcoms. Her new book, Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About […]

  • S1 Ep71: Hormone Therapy to Help With Cognitive Function?

    Today is day 5 of Question-and-Answer week. I am answering questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com, my newsletter, or social media.  Today’s question:  “I am 70 years old and would like to start hormone therapy since my understanding is that it will help with cognitive function. But I can’t get anyone to […]

  • S1 Ep70: Q and A Week! The O-SHOT?

    Q and A Week!  Today is Day 4 of Question-and-Answer week.  I am answering your questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com/podcast, and my newsletter.                                                Today’s Question  “What’s the scoop […]

  • S1 Ep68: Q and A Week! Fibroids and Hormone Therapy

    Q and A Week!  Today is Day 2 of Question-and-Answer week.  I am answering your questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com/podcast, and my newsletter.                                                     Today’s Question  […]

  • S1 Ep67: How Long Can You Safely Take Hormone Therapy?

    Q and A Week!  Today is Day 1 of Question-and-Answer week.  I am answering your questions that have come in through my website, drstreicher.com/podcast, and my newsletter.                                                      Today’s Question  […]

  • S1 Ep65: The Dilemma of Dealing with Menopause AND Breast Cancer with Dr. Corinne Menn

    Essentially all women eventually enter menopause, and while most end up not taking hormones to treat their symptoms, they at least have the option to do so. Women with a breast cancer diagnosis, on the other hand, generally don’t have the same choices at their disposal and are told, or assume, they are not candidates […]

  • S1 Ep65: Crazy Products and Menopause Myths

    The annual meeting of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, otherwise known as ISSWSH, is a medical conference where sexual medicine and menopause experts gather to present research and educate other health care professionals. At this year’s meeting, I decided to grab some of those world-renowned EXPERTS on the fly and […]

  • S1 Ep63: Are Current Screening Guidelines HELPING women or HURTING Women? Controversies in Public Health Policy with Dr. Melissa Simon

    Today I am talking to Dr. Melissa Simon. Dr. Simon served on the US Preventative Services Task Force Recommendation Committee (USPSTF), the government organization that shapes public policy and sets recommendations followed by doctors all over the country. So, when your doctor says you only need a Pap test every 3 years and that you […]

  • S1 Ep61: BONING UP ON BONE HEALTH: Part 2

    In the United States, there are 10 million women with OSTEOPOROSIS and 43 million women with OSTEOPENIA. Most of these women do not know they are at risk for a potential life-changing or even fatal fracture.  My guest is Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri, an internist with a specialty and expertise in women’s bone health. This […]

  • S1 Ep59: BONING UP ON BONE HEALTH: PART 1

    In the United States, there are 10 million women with OSTEOPOROSIS and 43 million women with OSTEOPENIA. Most of these women have no idea that they are at risk for a potentially life-changing or even fatal fracture.  One reason for this lack of concern and lack of awareness is that osteoporosis is usually a “silent […]

  • S1 Ep58: Two Experts- Two Timely Topics

    This is a rare opportunity to be a fly on the wall of a medical conference and hear two lectures from nationally acclaimed experts!  Melissa A. Simon, MD MPH is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and is Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University […]

  • S1 Ep57: Uterine Cancer: Reducing Your Risk

    Uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, is the fourth most common cancer in women and the most common gynecologic cancer. 66,000  US women that are expected to be  diagnosed in 2023. Over the last fifteen years, while rates for colon, lung and other cancers have decreased, rates for uterine cancer have increased.  In this […]

  • S1 Ep56: Too Young for Menopause?

    Every day women tell me they were blindsided when they started having perimenopause symptoms in their mid-40’s since they assumed that menopause was years, or even a decade away. And they are pretty much shocked when I tell them that mid-forties is the normal time for estrogen levels to waver, or tank all together. But […]

  • S1 Ep55: BUSTING THE MYTHS BEHIND CONSENSUAL NON-MONOGAMY

    Consensual non-monogamy is not only more mainstream than you think but has scientifically proven relationship benefits.  My guest today is Dr. Amy Moors, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Chapman University and a Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. She is an internationally recognized expert on polyamory, swinging, and other forms of […]

  • S1 Ep54: WHAT HAPPENS DURING SEX THERAPY

    If you have ever wondered what it’s like when a gynecologist mother and a sex therapist daughter hang out – you are about to find out! My guest (and daughter) Rachel Zar LMFT, CST, has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is an AASECT-certified sex therapist. We are going to chat about […]

  • S1 Ep52: How to Reduce Your Cancer Risk By 33% with Selene Yeager

    According to The American Institute for Cancer Research, 33% of breast cancer is preventable.  I am joined by Selene Yaeger, a health and fitness journalist and major influencer in the menopause world to discuss TEN ACTION STEPS that women can take to significantly DECREASE their personal risk of risk getting not only breast CANCER, but […]

  • S1 Ep51: Transdermal vs Oral Estrogens- What’s the Difference?

    Systemic estrogen, unlike local estrogen, affect every single cell in the body which means there is an impact on not only hot flashes but also your bones, your brain, your bladder, and your cardiovascular system along with your vulva and vagina. While there is a long list of benefits with both oral and transdermal systemic […]

  • S1 Ep50: Dating in a Digital Age. The Kinsey Report on Match with Dr. Justin Garcia

    Since 2010, the relationship company Match has enlisted the help of experts from the Kinsey Institute of Sexual Research to conduct and publish a scientific study on the attitudes and behaviors of single people in the United States. Today, my guest is Dr. Justin Garcia, the Executive Director of The Kinsey Institute, and the Scientific […]

  • S1 Ep48: Fabulous AND Fashionable with Lauren Dimet Waters

    For once I am not going to talk about vaginal dryness, leaky bladders, a dropping uterus, or brittle bones! I am chatting about fashion and style for the over-40 crowd with Lauren Dimet Waters, the Host of The Beauty is a Bitch Podcast, and founder of Fountain of 30. We discuss:  If you need to […]

  • S1 Ep45: Religion, Culture on Sexual Practices with Dr. Sameena Rahman

    The impact of religion and culture on sexual function…and dysfunction is fascinating and complex. In this episode I am joined by Dr. Seemena Rahman, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Ob-Gyn at Northwestern University and one of the few experts in the study of the impact of religion on sexual function.   Dr. Rahman published a […]

  • S1 Ep43: THE POWER of the PILLOW: The Ergonomics of Sex … with Dr. Heather Howard

    For people with a physical challenge, such as back pain, a hip replacement, arthritis, or generalized weakness, the mechanics of having sex make it seem out of the question. But no matter the physical challenge, both solo, and partnered sex can be not only possible but pleasurable. In this episode, Dr. Streicher chats with Dr. […]

  • S1 Ep41: Why Men Go Missing in Bed with Dr. Steven Snyder

    Dr. Steven Snyder, an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, and the author of Love Worth Making – How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship is “the expert” when it comes to sex and male-female relationship issues.  Dr. Streicher spent two days with Dr. Snyder filming segments for the Today Show and particularly […]

  • S1 Ep40: Don’t Go With This Flow: Post Menopause Bleeding

    Post menopause bleeding. It’s not just about making the midnight run for tampons, it’s that stomach-dropping fear that “blood equals cancer” that causes women to spend hours consulting Dr. Google for some reassurance. Although most women imagine the worst, in the overwhelming majority of cases, postmenopausal spotting or bleeding is not, is not, an indication […]

  • S1 Ep39: A Personal Trainer for Your Pelvic Floor with Dr. Janelle Howell

    The key to eliminating incontinence, sexual pain and pelvic pain is to work one on one with a pelvic floor physical therapist. But while most women have a pretty good idea of what a physical therapist does when it comes to hips, and shoulders, it’s a mystery to most women what to expect from PELVIC […]

  • S1 Ep38: Pelvic Organs Dropping? How to STOP the POP!

    Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) isn’t a sexy topic, but it’s an important one. Dropped bladders, dropped rectums, and/or a dropped uterus are common occurrences that are uncommonly talked about  In this episode, Dr. Streicher covers: The Definition of PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE UTERINE Prolapse  Cystocele (BLADDER prolapse)  Rectocele (RECTAL Prolapse)  RISK factors for Pelvic Organ Prolapse […]

  • S1 Ep36: How to Know You Are in Menopause If You Never Get Periods

    Google, “when does menopause start” and you will learn that you are post menopause when you haven’t had a period in 12 months. But the 12 months without a period definition is totally MEANINGLESS for the millions of women who DON’T GET PERIODS.  In this episode, Dr. Streicher discusses: Scenarios in which women don’t get […]

  • S1 Ep35: Compounding Hormones: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

    It used to be that the term “bioidentical hormone therapy” referred exclusively to compounded hormone products. But today, the term bioidentical includes FDA approved commercial products and compounded products. A legal loophole combined with aggressive marketing has resulted in women believing that compounded hormone creams and pellets not only work better but are safer than […]

  • S1 Ep34: Making the Most of Mid-Life and Beyond with Iris Krasnow

    How is it that some women are sexier, more productive, more fulfilled, and even more relevant after the age of 50 than then when they were younger? In this episode, Dr. Streicher is joined by Iris Krasnow, a renowned journalist, a New York Times bestselling author of 7 books, and an expert when it comes […]

  • S1 Ep32: Are Your Hot Flashes Making You Foggy? Forgetful? with Dr. Pauline Maki

    If you are peri or post-menopausal and can’t remember the name of your next-door neighbor or why you walked in a room, you are not crazy, you are not heading towards dementia, and you are not alone.  In this episode, Dr. Streicher is joined by Dr. Pauline Maki, a Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Obstetrics […]

  • S1 Ep31: The Truth About Estrogen Therapy and Breast Cancer

    The number one reason women give for not taking estrogen is fear of breast cancer. This fear is based on the 2002 study which has been reevaluated and shown to be flawed in a number of ways. Despite solid proof that estrogen therapy does not cause breast cancer and other serious illness, most doctors continue […]

  • S1 Ep28: The BEST approach for BREAST Cancer Screening and Risk Reduction with Dr. Lisa Larkin

    It used to be so simple. Women were just advised to get a mammogram every year. But now we have not just x-rays, but ultrasound, MRI, digital breast tomosynthesis, screening mammograms, and diagnostic mammograms. Women are confused, and frankly, a lot of doctors are also confused. I am joined by Dr. Lisa Larkin, a board-certified […]

  • S1 Ep23: The Impact of Systemic Racism in Mid-life Women's Health

    Relatively minimal research is devoted to menopause even though menopause affects literally 100% of women that live past the age of 50. For women of color, the situation is far more dire.. Not only do we know less about the impact of medical conditions or therapies in mid-life black women but it is incredibly challenging […]

  • S1 Ep24: A Mid-life Manual If Your Kid is College Bound

    With women delaying pregnancy, the year you start flashing just might coincide with the year you are sending your son or daughter off to college. If you are a mid-life woman who has college-bound kids, you need to know that things have changed …a lot…since you left home and went off to school. In this […]

  • S1 Ep23: Welcome to Peri-menopause!

    Years before estrogen production completely shuts down, HORMONE LEVELS start to FLUCTUATE wildly during that special time of life known as PERIMENOPAUSE. Waiting out bothersome hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia is not generally the best strategy since perimenopause can last for years. In addition, it’s not as if those symptoms magically go away when […]

  • S1 Ep22: Dreaming of SLEEP with Dr Stephanie Faubion

    Overall, women are 40% more likely to experience insomnia than men and the numbers are even higher during perimenopause and menopause. There are many reasons for sleepless nights mid-life (beyond hot flashes!) that often go undiagnosed. In this segment, I am joined by Dr. Stephanie Faubion, the Director for Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, […]

  • S1 Ep20: Is Non-monogamy Having a Moment? With Dr. Wednesday Martin

    Prepare to rethink everything you have been taught about female sexuality. One in five couples practice open non-monogamy, yet cultural and societal expectations are that a woman have only one partner for life. Dr. Martin’s book, UNTRUE: Why Nearly Everything We Believe About Women, Lust, and Adultery is Wrong-and how the new science can set […]

  • S1 Ep17: Menopause and Work

    More than 60% of women say that their menopause symptoms decreased their productivity and quality of work and even though millions of corporate dollars are lost due to absenteeism, reduced quality of work, and health care costs, the US government and corporate America refuse to recognize or mitigate the problem. The time is way overdue […]

  • S1 Ep14: Need to Know Info About the Penis in Your Bed with Dr. Rachel Rubin

    Up to 70% of post menopause women have vaginal or vulvar changes which lead to difficulty with sexual function, but for many couples, that is far from the whole story. In this episode, Dr. Streicher has a frank conversation with Dr. Rachel Rubin, a board-certified urologist, and one of a handful of physicians with specific […]

  • S1 Ep12: Your Muscles on Menopause with Amanda Thebe

    Vaginas are not the only part of the body that change mid-life! With age, muscles start to naturally atrophy- a condition called sarcopenia. Women can lose up to 10% of their muscles mass every decade.  Fitness expert Amanda Thebe’s best-selling book, Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too! addresses […]

  • S1 Ep9: Can Cannabis Help Your Sweats? Your Sleep? Sex?

    More than 1 in 4 menopausal women report that they use some form of cannabis to alleviate hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and brain fog.  In this segment Dr. Streicher takes you through: The components of the human endocannabinoid system The role of ESTROGEN in the endocannabinoid metabolism PHYTOCANNABINOIDS The different ways to […]

  • S1 Ep8: When Painful Sex Leads to Problem Relationship s with Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg

    Women who are dealing with PAINFUL SEX not only need to medically eliminate the cause of the pain, but also need to repair the PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT of either avoiding or enduring agonizing sexual activity for months or years. In this episode Dr. Streicher sits down with Sheryl Kingsberg PhD to discuss strategies for couples and […]

  • S1 Ep1: Is it Menopause? Or Some Other Pause?

    Unlike puberty, when your mother sat you down and explained what to expect with your first period, it is the rare mother who tells her daughter what to expect from her first hot flash, what to do about it, or even what menopause is. In fairness to moms everywhere, no one explained it to them.  […]

  • S1 Ep2: Think Your Hot Flashes Can't Kill You? Think Again!

    The impact of hot flashes goes far beyond being miserable. We now have a huge amount of scientific evidence that it’s not just menopause, but hot flashes specifically, that increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other serious medical conditions.  This is Inside Information every woman needs to know!  In this episode Dr. Streicher […]

  • Eps 388 : Can Frequency Work Really Change Your Life?

    Is midlife leaving you lost? Here’s how to find your way back In today’s conversation with Karen Chong, we’re diving into the transformative power of frequency work,  a simple but profound practice that can help you release the emotional blocks keeping you stuck. Karen explains how your energy plays a major role in shaping your […]

  • Your Guide to Better Sex, Romance, & Love From the #1 Sex Professor

    In this episode, you are going to learn how to have amazing sex, deeper intimacy, and create real, lasting love.  If you’re not having sex, or if sex feels like one more thing on the to-do list, this is what you need to hear right now. Today, Mel sits down with Dr. Nicole McNichols, PhD, […]

  • “Just try one new thing!” Fearne’s going boxing and to her cervical screening

    Fed up of constantly striving for ultimate happiness? Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some far more realistic chat about what’s making her feel great, and what’s making her feel rubbish. This is a safe space for all of us to get stuff off our chests. No judgement here! Want to join the […]

  • S4 Ep195: VULVAR RELIEF! New Research Takes the Pain out of Vulvodynia and Lichen Sclerosus with Dr. Andrew Goldstein

     Of all of the vulvar conditions out there, two of the most frustrating to treat are VULVODYNIA and LICHEN SCLEROSUS.  Even when properly diagnosed, treatment can be challenging. But help is on the way! In this episode, Dr. Andrew Goldstein discusses new cutting-edge research and treatments for both vulvodynia and lichen sclerosus. Dr. Goldstein describes 5 ongoing […]

  • Thursday Thoughts – The Patriarchy

    On this week's Thursday's Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking all about the patriarchy. This social system that historically centres white men as the default holders of power, money, status and authority, is woven into the very fabric of society. It shows up in a million subtle – and not so subtle – ways: women […]

  • The Tamsen Show podcast image

    The Gut Doctor: How to Boost Energy and Lose Belly Fat

    In this episode, Dr. Amy Shah sits down with Tamsen Fadal to discuss the science behind the weight gain, mood swings, brain fog and digestive changes that millions of women experience as their hormones shift throughout life. Dr. Amy Shah is a double board-certified physician on a mission to help women understand what’s really happening […]

  • The Essential Guide for Financial Caregivers with CFP Beth Pinsker

    * Request A copy of the Free Financial Caregivers Resource Guide: LINK   We don’t talk enough about the financial toll of caregiving.   Many caregivers are not just dealing with a loved one’s emotional and physical needs, but financial needs as well.   In today’s new episode, we are sharing expert advice from Certified […]

  • image of woman with dark hair named Mary Claire Haver

    Female Libido in Menopause: Desire Loss, Biology & Solutions with Cindy Eckert

    This week on unPaused, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with Cindy Eckert, founder and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals and creator of Addyi, the first FDA approved treatment for low libido in women. Cindy is a pharmaceutical entrepreneur who began her career at Merck before founding her first company in 2007, focusing on undermarketed FDA […]

  • Ep. 205 – Menopause and Heart Health Supports with Cathy Eason

    If you think of cardiovascular blood flow as just a background bodily process, this episode will completely change your perspective. Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes back the brilliant Cathy Eason, MS, BCHN, for a masterclass on one of the body’s most critical signaling molecules. With her deep expertise in human nutrition, physiology, and translating complex biology […]

  • How to Know if Your Nervous System’s Actually Regulated — or Just Coping

    There’s a lot of noise right now about calming your nervous system and staying regulated — and for many of us, that creates more pressure than peace. In this solo episode, I gently unpack what nervous system regulation actually means, why staying calm isn’t the goal, and how midlife and perimenopause can shift the way […]

  • 46 – Why understanding your hormones changes everything

    In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Professor Mary Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist, Adjunct Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin and author of It’s Probably Your Hormones.  Together, they explore why hormones are far more than just “reproductive messengers”, and how they influence almost every system in the body, including the brain, immune system, metabolism, bones and cardiovascular health.  The conversation […]

  • The Tamsen Show podcast image

    The 4 Dating Mistakes Keeping Smart Women Stuck (And How to Break Them)

    Tamsen Fadal sits down and teaches you what she’s learned about dating, from running a matchmaking business in New York City, to dating through her 20s and 30s, to divorce, and starting over in midlife. In this episode, she walks you through the 4 biggest dating mistakes women make. The ones that keep smart, self-aware […]

  • Eps 387: Peptide Forever Or Temporary? What You Need To Know In Perimenopause

    If you’re scared to start peptides because you don’t want to be on them forever, listen in. In today’s conversation, I’m answering one of the most common and quietly loaded questions women ask me about peptide therapy: Do I have to stay on this forever? We’re unpacking where that fear really comes from, why it […]

  • Eps 387: Peptide Therapy Duration: What to Know

    If you’re scared to start peptides because you don’t want to be on them forever, listen in. In today’s conversation, I’m answering one of the most common and quietly loaded questions women ask me about peptide therapy: Do I have to stay on this forever? We’re unpacking where that fear really comes from, why it […]

  • The 24-Hour Turnaround to Get Your Life Back on Track

    Some days, you don’t just feel off. You feel like you’re losing your control of everything.  The routine is gone. The house is a mess. Motivation is shot. And suddenly one bad day turns into a week of feeling behind.  This episode is the reset you need.  Today Mel is sharing 5 simple, science-backed ways […]

  • Ashley James: You’re a bimbo! Mumsy! Bossy! How we shrink confidence out of girls

    You’re a bimbo. A nag. Too mumsy. Too bossy. Ever had any of those labels put on you? Far from harmless words, Ashley James is clear they all work to shrink women and girls. In this chat with Fearne, Ashley recalls her first experiences of street harassment, and the way she victim blamed herself. They […]

  • Should I be eating more salt or less?

    It’s one of the most confusing nutrition debates – should you be eating more salt or less? The answer might surprise you, because it depends on your lifestyle. If you’re cooking from scratch or you’re very active the advice is very different than if ultra-processed foods are part of your diet. Liz explains why salt […]

  • Menopause Is FULL Of Fake News – How To Spot It

    The internet is full of menopause advice. But how much of it can you actually trust? In this solo episode, Dr Naomi Potter explores the growing world of menopause misinformation online – from social media 'experts' to AI-generated health advice and even deepfakes. She explains why menopause care is never one-size-fits-all, and why personalised medical […]

  • The 5 pillars to prevent dementia and stroke – with Dr Partha Nandi

    Dr Partha Nandi is a gastroenterologist who wants you to know that the key to preventing stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s might not lie in the brain at all – it lies in the gut. He shares how inflammation in your gut today could be affecting your brain decades from now. And he reveals the five simple pillars […]

  • Eps 386: The Hidden Link Between Burnout & Perimenopause w/Elizabeth Gaines

    Your body is responding to how hard you’ve been pushing. Elizabeth explains the concept of hormonal and metabolic “debt,” why sex hormones are often the first system to be underfunded, and how productivity culture trains women to ignore early warning signs.  Episode Timeline:  01:15 – Elizabeth’s Burnout Story 03:00 – Chronic Stress Builds Slowly 05:20 […]

  • Eps 386: The Hidden Link Between Burnout & Perimenopause

    Your body is responding to how hard you’ve been pushing. Elizabeth explains the concept of hormonal and metabolic “debt,” why sex hormones are often the first system to be underfunded, and how productivity culture trains women to ignore early warning signs.  Episode Timeline:  01:15 – Elizabeth’s Burnout Story 03:00 – Chronic Stress Builds Slowly 05:20 […]

  • Strong, Fit and Healthy: How to Get Your Best Body & Increase Your Energy in 3 Days

    Ever stood in front of the fridge thinking, “What am I actually supposed to eat to get healthy?”  Today you are getting your answer.  This episode gives you a simple way to decide what to eat to stay healthy without complicated math, crazy recipes, or “bro science”.  In this episode, Mel sits down with Dr. […]

  • The 3 Day Nutrition Protocol: Exactly What to Eat For Your Best Body & More Energy

    Ever stood in front of the fridge thinking, “What am I actually supposed to eat to get healthy?”  Today you are getting your answer.  This episode gives you a simple way to decide what to eat to stay healthy without complicated math, crazy recipes, or “bro science”.  In this episode, Mel sits down with Dr. […]

  • Book Club Meets: Grief, women in history, and Elizabethan magic, with Maggie O’Farrell

    You might have recently seen Hamnet at the cinema, but did you read the book along with the Happy Place Book Club in January? In this chat, Fearne and author Maggie O’Farrell talk about how Jessie Buckley’s award-winning performance brought Agnes to life in the film, why it’s vital to remember women’s place in history, […]

  • Thursday Thoughts – Being The Main Character in Your Own Life

    On this week's Thursday's Thoughts, Lucy and I talk about what it really means to shift out of the background and into the lead role of your own life. We chat about how easy it is, especially for women, to unconsciously slip into a supporting role, putting everyone else’s needs first, waiting for the “right […]

  • Endometriosis & the Perimenopause, with Professor Janice Rymer & Claudia Tye, Endometriosis Nurse Specialist. S7. Ep 10.

    Severe period pain? Vomiting? Fainting? It’s not just “one of those things.” These can be symptoms of endometriosis – a condition far more complex than many realise, and which often goes undiagnosed and unsupported, affecting 1 in 10 women.  In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Janice Rymer, consultant gynaecologist, and endometriosis nurse specialist Claudia […]

Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information: Menopause, Midlife, and More

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 […]

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