S4 Ep199: Closing the Mind-Body Libido Gap with Dr. Lori Brotto

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

April 9, 2026 ∙ 52 mins
Episode 154

About

As a gynecologist, I help women with the physical, hormonal, and medical aspects of sexual response: eliminate sexual pain, and help women who can’t orgasm due to an SSRI, diabetes or vascular disease. I am not a therapist. I do not treat the psychosocial aspects of sexual difficulties or address the mind-body connection. And that is why the work I do depends on experts like  my guest today, Dr. Lori Brotto
Dr. Lori Brotto is a registered psychologist, researcher, and global leader in women’s sexual health. A Professor at the University of British Columbia and Distinguished University Scholar, she has spent more than two decades developing and validating evidence-based treatments for women’s sexual concerns and is widely recognized for pioneering the use of mindfulness in sexual health. She co-developed eSense to translate this body of research into accessible, evidence-based care beyond traditional clinical settings.  Dr. Brotto has authored more than 280 scientific publications and is also the author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness and its companion workbook. 
 

In this episode:
  • Why a sex therapist and medical clinician need to collaborate
  • How mindfulness helps arousal and libido once there is no pain with sexual activity
  • How well mindfulness works to increase libido
  • The difference between mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Why women avoid sex (besides pain) 
  • The circular sexual response cycle
  • If most sex therapists are aware of the impact of menopause symptoms
  • The role of systemic testosterone and libido
  • The eSense Health tool for individualized digital access to CBT and mindfulness
  • Why Dr. Brotto developed eSense Health
  • What eSense is
  • How eSense works and how well it works
  • Who eSense is for
  • How this tool helps women 
    • Living with a cancer diagnosis
    • PTSD
    • History of trauma
    • History of sexual abuse
  • With different cultural and religious backgrounds
  • What to expect during an eSense session
  • The cost of eSense

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-brotto-9974a236/ 
Instagram @drloribrotto 

Information about eSense HEALTH
eSense Health is a digital health company focused on closing the care gap in women’s sexual health. The e-Sense program is based on proven therapeutic approaches, including CBT and mindfulness, and turns them into a structured self-guided experience that women can access privately. It offers support that’s similar to what you might receive in therapy, but in a more accessible and affordable format. 
To learn more and sign up for updates, visit: https://esensehealth.com/contact/ 
IG: https://www.instagram.com/esensehealth/
  YouTube: 

Episode 195 Vulvar Relief with Dr. Andrew Goldstein

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

154

Date

April 9, 2026

Length

52 mins
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    For guys, middle-aged hair loss is upsetting, but not something that generally prompts a doctor’s appointment. But that is not the case for women that are suddenly seeing a lot more scalp. While not exactly a medical emergency, it qualifies as an emotional emergency.  This is PART 1 of 2 parts on post-menopause hair loss. […]

  • S3 Ep138: The Shocking Trend Happening in Bedrooms with Debby Herbenick PhD

    A recent New York Times article was titled “The Troubling Trend in Teenage Sex”. Before I even clicked, I knew what that troubling trend was since I had recently attended a medical conference where I heard a lecture from Dr. Debbie Herbenick about the increasing numbers of young adults who were including CHOKING as part […]

  • S3 Ep137: A Short History of Estrogen Therapy

    “The physician who puts a woman on ‘Premarin’ makes her pleasant to live with once again- something for which husbands are grateful”    1960 Premarin ad The history of hormone therapy goes back over 100 years.  And it didn’t start with horses; it started with cows.  If there is a theme, it is that history […]

  • S3 Ep136: Muscle Mass and 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.  In this episode, my guest is fitness expert Amanda Thebe, who addresses the value and importance of exercise, diet, and […]

  • S3 Ep135: Minimizing the Monotony of Monogamy: How relationships change over time with Dr. Alexandra Solomon

    When there is a lack of lust decades into an otherwise loving marriage or relationship, many, if not most, women assume their indifference to sex is a result of declining hormone levels and that a prescription for estrogen, testosterone or a libido enhancing drug will re-light the flame. A plunge in hormones can be part […]

  • S3 Ep134: The FACTS on CLOTS and ESTROGEN

    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 […]

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    The Hair Loss Episode: THIS Is What a Top Dermatologist Wants You to Know

    Dr. Doris Day is one of the country’s leading dermatologists and experts on hair loss. Today, she’s back with Tamsen Fadal on The Tamsen Show to answer all the questions you have about hair. In this episode, you’ll learn what’s really causing your hair loss and how to regrow stronger, healthier hair. From hormonal hair […]

  • Eps 404: How to Take Care of Your Skin in Your 40s & 50s with Jess Iturzaeta

    Ever feel like your skin woke up one day and decided to do its own thing? There’s a real shift happening in midlife, and for most women, it shows up right on the surface first. Skin starts to feel drier, duller, more reactive… and suddenly you’re stuck trying to decode a world of products, advice, […]

  • 56 – Why confusion around contraception and hormones is failing women

    In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by US-based OB-GYN Dr Jordan Emont to explore why so many women are still being denied hormones, despite clear evidence of their benefits. They discuss the ongoing fear and misinformation surrounding body identical hormones, the confusion with synthetic hormones used in contraception and why this is leaving […]

  • #1 Neurologists: What You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's & Dementia

    Today’s episode is a MUST listen.  This is one of the most important conversations you will ever hear about Alzheimer’s prevention, dementia, memory loss, and brain health.  If you’re worried about your memory, your parents’ memory, or your risk of cognitive decline as you age, this episode gives you something most conversations don’t: real hope, […]

  • Women spend HOW MUCH on period products? Mooncups, AI slop, and joining a choir

    There’s way too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness, and it’s just not realistic, so Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some chat about what’s making her feel great, and what’s making her feel completely crap. This is the cosy corner where there’s no judgement allowed! All of us can […]

  • S4 Ep199: Closing the Mind-Body Libido Gap with Dr. Lori Brotto

    As a gynecologist, I help women with the physical, hormonal, and medical aspects of sexual response: eliminate sexual pain, and help women who can’t orgasm due to an SSRI, diabetes or vascular disease. I am not a therapist. I do not treat the psychosocial aspects of sexual difficulties or address the mind-body connection. And that […]

  • Thursday Thoughts – Trusting the Process

    On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about trusting the process. I talk about my recent knee operation and how trusting the process has been has been and will be such an important part of my recovery. We explore how having faith, and choosing to believe that things are working out for […]

  • Ann Dowd Reveals All: Aunt Lydia and The Testaments

    Get ready for an amazing conversation with someone you love to hate! Ann Dowd (aka Aunt Lydia) joins us for a candid conversation about building a career on her own terms and why her most powerful roles came later in life. Best known for her chilling portrayal of Aunt Lydia in The Handmaid’s Tale, Dowd […]

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    The Missing Piece in Longevity: The Top Gerontologist on Aging, Joy, and the Science of Thriving

    In this episode of unPaused, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with Dr. Kerry Burnight, a gerontologist and national leader in aging research who spent 18 years teaching geriatric medicine at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine and is the author of Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half. […]

  • EP. 213 – The Gut-Brain Connection Nobody Told You About with Tina Anderson

    If you have tried every diet, every supplement, and every stress management trick only to find yourself still battling bloating, brain fog, or unexplained anxiety, this conversation is for you. In this re-air of a listener-favorite episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes Tina Anderson, a former pharmaceutical insider who left the world of conventional medicine to […]

  • 55 – HRT, breast cancer and the real risks of not taking hormones

    In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by physician and author Dr Jeffrey Dach, who is the founder and Medical Director of the TrueMedMD Clinic in Florida and author of numerous books including Bioidentical Hormones 101. Together, Louise and Jeffrey challenge some of the biggest myths surrounding hormone treatments, including the long-standing fear around […]

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    Thinking About a Career Change? Start Here

    Tamsen left a 30-year career as a television news anchor at 52 without a plan that looked like a plan to anyone who knew her. This is the episode where she tells you exactly what that felt like, what kept her stuck, and what finally made her go. Whether you’re burned out and not sure […]

  • Eps 403: Why You’re Gaining Weight in Your 40s (Even Doing Everything Right)

    If your body feels different lately and you can’t explain it, this will make sense. You’re eating well, working out, trying harder than ever. Yet somehow your weight is still going up, your energy is dropping, and nothing is responding the way it used to. There’s a reason for that, and it’s not because you’re […]

  • The Business Expert: How to Make More Money, Beat Self-Doubt, & Reinvent Your Life

    This episode is a MUST listen.  If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, overlooked, or underpaid, you need to hit play.  This is the most motivational, eye-opening episode that you will ever hear, and it will give you the roadmap to become the bolder, braver, more confident, and richer version of yourself you know you’re meant […]

  • Jimmy Carr: “Men half-arse things!” My thoughts on feminism, parenting, and success

    What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? It’s a question comedian Jimmy Carr reckons will help direct your life path. In this chat with Fearne, Jimmy explains how he strives for greatness for himself, without falling into the trap of comparing himself to others. He talks about how to define success for […]

  • Diet or skincare – which matters more for ageing skin?

    Can skincare products really turn back the years or is diet more important? Liz explains why what goes in is as important as what goes on, and shares the key ingredients that really make a difference. Plus: supporting muscles and bones without weightlifting, natural remedies for menstrual migraines, the benefits of progesterone and can you […]

  • How To Deal With Dismissed Menopause Symptoms – Dr Naomi Potter & Jane James

    Think it’s anxiety, stress or depression? It could be perimenopause. In this episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by Jane James, menopause mentor at Menopause Care, to talk about the symptoms women often miss, what to do if your GP isn’t helping, and how to know when HRT might be right for you. Jane also […]

  • Can Heartbreak Physically Break Your Heart?

    Karen kicks off a new chapter for Itchy and Bitchy by introducing future host Stephen Miller, a cardiology nurse practitioner, for a conversation on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or “broken heart syndrome.” Together they explain what this stress-triggered heart condition is, why it so often affects postmenopausal women, and what recovery can look like. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com […]

  • Hormones or histamine? Understanding your midlife symptoms – with Dr Clare Ashby

    Could your anxiety, brain fog, IBS and itchy skin be signs of something more than midlife hormonal changes? Dr Clare Ashby, histamine intolerance and MCAS specialist joins Liz to reveal the condition that’s often overlooked – and how it can make HRT less effective. In this episode, Liz and Clare discuss how symptoms we might […]

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    The Muscle Episode: Get Stronger, Look Better & Reverse Your Biological Age

    It’s time to stop overcomplicating your workouts. Strength training expert Dr. Shannon Ritchey joins Tamsen Fadal on The Tamsen Show to break down why a simple strength training routine is far more effective for women looking to build muscle, lose fat, and improve metabolism than the latest trending sculpt class. Dr. Shannon Ritchey’s mission is […]

  • Eps 402: Stronger Bones in Midlife: Where to Start at 40+ with Dr. Ben Weitz

    Most women don’t realize their bones have been changing long before anyone thinks to look. While hormones, metabolism, and muscle are all affected by midlife shifts, bone is already responding to stress, nutrition, and estrogen in real time. What we’ve been told about bone loss starting “later” isn’t just incomplete. It delays the very actions […]

  • 54 – Menopause at 10 years old

    In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by therapist SaraWitter who shares her deeply personal and shocking experience of being menopausal as a child. Sara describes how she lost most of her ovarian function at just 10 years old following surgery for large dermoid cysts, and the long-lasting impact this had on her physical […]

  • Bonus: Menopause at 10 years old

    In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by therapist SaraWitter who shares her deeply personal and shocking experience of being menopausal as a child. Sara describes how she lost most of her ovarian function at just 10 years old following surgery for large dermoid cysts, and the long-lasting impact this had on her physical […]

  • 6 Words to Tell Yourself Every Morning

    You will not believe how much better you feel when you say these 6 words.  This is one of the most transformative conversations ever, on the Mel Robbins Podcast.  And it’s about… your clothes. If you’ve ever stood in front of your closet thinking:  “I have nothing to wear.”  “Nothing fits right.”  “I don’t feel […]

  • “I had to say ‘c*ck’ at The Royal Albert Hall!” Fearne’s talking about sex and being more creative

    What’s going on for you? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chatter about what’s putting her and the Happy Place team in a good mood this week, and what can bugger off. This is the space for all of us to explore what’s been on […]

  • Your Joyful Years: Thriving Beyond Menopause, with Joyce Harper, Professor of Reproductive Science. S7. Ep 12.

    How do you feel about ageing? Have you started to write yourself off, or are you making the most of life? There’s a reason I called this podcast The Happy Menopause, and that’s because I firmly believe this stage of life is our time. Not an ending, but a door opening to a whole new […]

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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