Ep 9 | Hormone Replacement Therapy Series: Women’s Health Initiative
Release Date: 01/23/2025
Ep 31 | This is the HOT FLASH Episode
OvaryActive
Hot flashes: the unofficial mascot of perimenopause and the original reason so many midlife women carry a personal fan or freezer pack, or insist on that open window in January. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su finally give hot flashes their own episode. The Docs turn up the heat (literally and emotionally) as they talk through the lived chaos that is “my own personal summer”. Our Docs explain what hot flashes actually are, why they show up, and why your brain, not just your hormones, is the real drama queen in this scenario. Listeners will...
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Ep 30 | Topical Viagra & Hot Flash Chaos: The Menopause Conference Recap You Didn’t Ask For
OvaryActive
Perimenopause: the magical season where sleep disappears, hormones riot, and suddenly everyone thinks you’re “doing great” when actually you're googling whether rage counts as cardio. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch return with their second annual Menopause Society Conference recap. If you're wondering whether testosterone drops off a cliff in midlife or whether scream cream is a placebo disguised as foreplay… good news! They’ve got updates. This episode walks through the latest research from menopause experts covering the big three:...
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Ep 29 | Merry Perimenopause 2025 Edition
OvaryActive
Welcome back to the annual holiday classic Merry Perimenopause. While there’s not much “jolly” about perimenopause, these gifts can add a little more joyeux to your noël! Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch jingle all the way through help for your hot flashes, cold flashes, brain fog, bad backs, night sweats, and the eternal question: why does perimenopause feel like puberty, déjà vu, and a hangover all rolled into one? In this episode of OvaryActive, they kick things off with the biggest news of all: the Docs very own book on perimenopause is officially available for...
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Ep 28 | Stronger Not Thinner: Strength Training in Perimenopause
OvaryActive
Perimenopause: that magical stage where your body suddenly decides it’s the boss, your pants shrink overnight, and your motivation to exercise hides under the bed. On the episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch welcome the hilarious and whip-smart Dr. Marily Oppezzo from Stanford. She is a behavior-change expert who’s figured out how to help people actually do the healthy things they already know they should be doing. Spoiler: it involves fewer “shoulds” and more squats. Dr. Oppezzo shares her “Stronger” philosophy, a refreshingly guilt-free...
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Ep 27 | Testosterone, Perimenopause, and the Fountain of Nope
OvaryActive
You’ve seen it all over social media, testosterone is apparently the miracle cure for every perimenopausal woe. Low libido? Tired? Losing muscle tone? Influencers say “Just add T!” The Docs say…not so fast Ready for the truth? In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su are here for just that. Even though it is not exactly what you’re seeing on social media––it is science, sarcasm, and a few chin-year jokes. The Docs explain what testosterone actually does in women’s bodies, why testing it is tricky, and how misinformation has turned a...
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Ep 26 | Swallow This: The Truth About Supplements and Perimenopause
OvaryActive
Feeling overwhelmed by the supplement aisle? Are there pills that might actually help during perimenopause or are you just buying expensive urine? This episode of OvaryActive dives into the pharmacy aisle of supplements. The Docs are talking about everything from influencer “miracle” blends to your best friend’s turmeric obsession. Separating data from drama and giving you the straight, if sarcastic, scoop. Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch explain what your body truly needs (hello, vitamin D and calcium), what might help (fiber and omega-3s for the win), and what...
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Ep 25 | Use a Mirror to See What’s Up…Down There
OvaryActive
Perimenopause: your hormones have packed up and left, your skin starts new hobbies, and your vulva occasionally throws a tantrum. In this episode of OvaryActive, we’re talking about that neglected body part everyone loves to ignore—until it itches, burns, bleeds, or grows suspicious bumps. Joining the conversation are gynecologists and fellow podcasters Dr. Ashley Fuller and Dr. Meredith McClure, the brilliant, and hilarious, minds behind Labia Logic. Ashley and Meredith spend their days — and an entire podcast — focused on vulvas, menopause, sexual health, and the...
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Ep 24 | When Bleeding Isn’t *Just* Perimenopause: The Need-to-Know about Gynecological Cancers
OvaryActive
Perimenopause is already a rollercoaster—hot flashes, brain fog, and now…SURPRISE! cancer screenings. In this episode of OvaryActive, Amy and Rebecca sit down with Gynecologic Oncologist Fernanda Musa, MD MS to tackle the less-fun-but-super-important reality: perimenopause is also prime time for gynecologic cancers. Think of it as the sequel nobody asked for, but everybody needs to watch. Dr. Musa brings her scalpel-sharp expertise (she is a surgeon, afterall ) and a refreshingly candid approach to topics we’d rather avoid. Cervical and uterine cancers and pesky fibroids that...
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Ep 23 | Sneezed and Peed? Let’s Talk Pelvic Floor Therapy
OvaryActive
Perimenopause: when sneezing, laughing, or even thinking too hard about a trampoline suddenly becomes a bladder hazard. And guess what!? Kegels aren’t the cure-all we were promised. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch take us below the belt to talk pelvic floor health—the underappreciated muscle group that keeps your insides from falling out and your basement from springing a leak. Joining the Docs is Tanya Goodrich, founder of Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy and proud owner of the best blueberry analogy you’ll ever hear. Tanya is here to...
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Ep 22 | Best Books for Perimenopause & Midlife Women: Hot Flashes & Page Turners
OvaryActive
If perimenopause has turned your brain to mush and your patience to vapor, fear not—we’ve got your next reading list and your next excuse to hide in a closet with a book. In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch tackle the hot topic of hot flashes and paperbacks, reminding us that reading is not just fundamental—it’s survival. These two brilliant minds dive into why reading is a legit form of self-care during perimenopause––wine and doomscrolling can only take you so far. From brain health and stress reduction to reconnecting with yourself...
info_outlineWhat do brain fog, bone health, and breast cancer all have in common? They’re all part of the rollercoaster ride that is menopause.
Ever wondered how hormone therapy became such a controversial topic, or why some studies seem to contradict each other? And is it possible to navigate perimenopause without feeling like a contestant on "Survivor: Hormonal Edition"? Grab a cup of tea (or a glass of wine—we won’t judge) and join the Docs for an enlightening discussion.
Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch tackle the ins and outs of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI)—one of the most significant studies in women's health—breaking down its design, purpose, and the ongoing debates around hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
They get into the ripple effects of the WHI findings, touching on everything from cardiovascular and bone health to diabetes and cognitive function. With a blend of expertise and wit, they cut through the noise and help you make sense of the science, while keeping it refreshingly relatable.
Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how hormone therapy can impact their health, the risks and benefits involved, and why individualized care is essential during perimenopause.
This episode is your roadmap to navigating menopause with confidence—and maybe even a little humor—so share with friends who could also use the help!
Learn more about the Women’s Health Initiative: www.whi.org.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
[:31] Recap of Women’s Health Initiative (WHI)
[6:58] Hormone therapy groups and primary outcomes
[12:58] Bone health and hormone therapy
[16:07] Metabolic disease and diabetes risk
[18:09] Cardiovascular disease and hormone therapy
[20:50] Blood clot risks and hormone therapy
[22:53] Dementia and hHormone therapy
[25:05] Understanding Perimenopausal Brain Fog
[27:31] Some info on breast cancer and estrogen
[34:08] Personalized medical decisions
[37:51] Advocate for yourself
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Meet the Docs:
More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:
Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su
LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su
More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:
Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html