Ep 135 - Are We Expecting Too Much—or Not Enough—from Our Doctors?
Release Date: 12/08/2025
Ep 135 - Are We Expecting Too Much—or Not Enough—from Our Doctors?
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
If you’re questioning whether you’re asking too much or too little from your doctor, you’re not alone. Get the support and clarity you deserve inside the Type 1 In Midlife Community Join us in the circle for a 14-day free trial In this solo episode, I’m taking you inside my most recent endocrinology appointment—the good, the frustrating, and the moments that reminded me why self-advocacy matters so much for women with type 1 diabetes in midlife. I share how my A1C dropped after switching to manual mode on the Omnipod 5, why I pushed for a full thyroid panel, the weight gain...
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Ep 134 - Your Mouth Tells a Story: How Biological Dentistry Connects Oral Health, Hormones & Autoimmunity, with Dr. Toni Engram
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Have you ever wondered how your dental health connects to your hormones, your immune system, or even your blood sugar? My guest today, Dr. Toni Engram, is here to pull back the curtain on the powerful — and often overlooked — mouth-body connection. Dr. Engram is a biological dentist, integrative health coach, and owner of Flourish Dental Boutique in Richardson, TX. After walking through her own journey with autoimmune disease, she realized traditional dentistry often misses the deeper story of what’s happening in the body. In this conversation, we dive into: How oral inflammation...
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Ep 133 - Food Should Bring Joy, Not Stress — Kaycee Parker’s Diabetic Meals Made Easy
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Diagnosed at age 12, Kaycee Parker has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years—and she’s turned her experience into encouragement for others. A writer with a storyteller’s heart (she jokes it’s her Irish heritage), Kaycee blends her love of faith and food into a message of hope, balance, and grace. In this heartfelt episode, Kaycee joins Melissa Slemp to share: The story behind her new cookbook, Diabetic Meals Made Easy Why it’s not a “low-carb only” cookbook, but a blood sugar–friendly one for everyone How to pair foods for steadier numbers—and less stress at mealtime...
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Ep 132 - Estrogen Decline, Inflammation, and Frozen Shoulder - Dr. Matt Rieder Explains the Perfect Storm
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Today’s guest is Dr. Matt Rieder, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Renew Strength and Wellness. Matt jokes that he “gets hurt a lot”, on the amateur level, but turned that experience into a career helping others put themselves back together. A lifelong athlete and exercise enthusiast, he believes the human body can stay strong, flexible, pain-free, and ready for anything, no matter your age. When he’s not working with clients, you’ll find him climbing, running, weightlifting, scuba diving for giant fossilized shark teeth, hiking, camping, or writing. During his Army days,...
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Ep 131 - Manual Mode, Hormones, and 2 AM Alarms: A Real Look at Sleep with Type 1
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Ever wake up to a CGM alarm at 2 a.m. and wonder why you’re high (or low) even after doing everything “right”? In this solo episode, Melissa breaks down how perimenopause, pump settings, and shifting hormones can turn sleep into a nightly puzzle—and what to do about it. You’ll learn: Why melatonin, estrogen, and cortisol can all mess with your sleep How nighttime insulin settings and the dawn phenomenon play a role Real-life lessons from Melissa’s switch to Omnipod 5 manual mode Simple, science-backed ways to improve sleep quality tonight Whether you’re waking up high,...
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Ep 130 - Aging Is Inevitable, Suffering Is Optional with Zora Benhamou
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Menopause isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning, especially when we learn how to influence the way we age. In this episode, Melissa sits down with Zora Benhamou. Zora is a gerontologist, biohacker, and host of the Hack My Age podcast, where she helps women break menopause stigma and ageist stereotypes. At 55, she’s a digital nomad and passionate educator who inspires women in peri- and post-menopause to thrive with practical tools, bio hacks, and expert insights. She’s the creator of HackMyAge.com, author of The Longevity Master Plan and Eating for Longevity, and founder of the...
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Ep 129 - Cortisol Isn’t the Enemy - How Calming Your Nervous System Can Stabilize Blood Sugar.
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
If your blood sugars rise the moment stress hits—or you notice your mornings start high for no clear reason—this episode will help you understand why. Dr. Dawn Browning joins me to explore how the nervous system, hormones, and daily stress patterns shape blood sugar balance. Dawn is a research scientist, certified yoga therapist, and Pranayama teacher who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for nearly four decades. She helps women in midlife understand how the nervous system shapes everything from blood sugar to mood to energy—and teaches practical ways to regain steadiness through breath,...
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Ep 128 - The Power of Cycle Awareness: Working with Your Hormones, Not Against Them
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
In this episode, Melissa is joined by Cecily Lopez—a wellness advocate, visual storyteller, and founder of Trinity Grace Photography—who shares her powerful journey of navigating life with type 1 diabetes and thyroid cancer. Cecily opens up about how these diagnoses deepened her self-awareness and taught her to trust her body’s signals. Together, Melissa and Cecily explore what it means to be an active participant in your healthcare, the importance of honoring rest, and how cycle syncing can be used as a tool for women living with type 1 diabetes. Cecily reminds us that resilience...
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Ep 127 - Hormones Are Shifting — Are You Paying Attention?
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Hormone shifts don’t always scream — they whisper. If you’re living with type 1 diabetes, even subtle changes can throw everything off. In this episode, Melissa dives into why paying attention matters and how to use tools like the Greene Climacteric Scale to get clarity and confidence in midlife. Melissa shares: Why you shouldn’t dismiss feeling “off” as just aging A client story of regaining focus, balance, and energy after starting HRT The subtle symptoms that whisper: anxiety, irritability, brain fog, weight gain, slower recovery, and aches and pains Self-check questions to...
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Ep 126 - Vaginal Estrogen Unfiltered: Why We’re On It
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Menopause is about more than hot flashes—it also affects vaginal and urinary health. In this episode, Melissa Slemp and Kim Hines get candid about their decision to start vaginal estrogen, even without obvious symptoms, and how it can support long-term wellness. They dive into genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), share the benefits of vaginal estrogen, and highlight proactive steps women can take to protect their health. From intimacy to bladder health, Melissa and Kim answer common questions about safety, cost, diabetes management, and working with your doctor. This conversation is...
info_outlineIf you’re questioning whether you’re asking too much or too little from your doctor, you’re not alone.
Get the support and clarity you deserve inside the Type 1 In Midlife Community Join us in the circle for a 14-day free trial https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025
In this solo episode, I’m taking you inside my most recent endocrinology appointment—the good, the frustrating, and the moments that reminded me why self-advocacy matters so much for women with type 1 diabetes in midlife.
I share how my A1C dropped after switching to manual mode on the Omnipod 5, why I pushed for a full thyroid panel, the weight gain that didn’t make sense, and the classic “you’re in menopause… it’s normal” remark that lit a fire in me to dig deeper.
I talk through how I track symptoms before appointments, what labs I insist on, what truly drives inflammation in this season of life, and how to collaborate with your doctor even when they don’t always understand your hormonal reality.
This one is honest, empowering, and filled with the reminders we all need: we know our bodies, our data matters, and our care should reflect the full picture—not just numbers on a screen.
Don’t brush off what’s changing. Pay attention, act, and surround yourself with women who understand both diabetes and midlife hormones.
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Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.