Pause & Learn: Peri-Post Menopause Explained
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
Release Date: 03/14/2025
HRT in the Blue Zones and How to Solve the Adrenal Crisis | Dr. Sangeeta Pati
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
Midlife has a way of getting your attention, especially when your body starts changing in ways no one really prepared you for, and menopause is often right at the center of it. In this conversation, we talk honestly about what’s really happening during this season and what women can do to feel more like themselves again. You’ll hear how small, intentional shifts can lead to more energy, clarity, and resilience over time. This episode is about moving from just getting through midlife to actually feeling good in it. I sat down with Dr. Sangeeta Pati, MD, FACOG, ABOIM, a...
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The Girlfriend Doctor Podcast Best of 2025
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
As we look back on 2025, one thing became clear. The episodes that resonated most were not about quick fixes. They were about helping women finally understand their bodies. This year, you leaned into conversations that offered clarity instead of confusion, compassion instead of restriction, and real explanations for why your body responds the way it does. In this special Best of 2025 episode, we are revisiting the moments that moved you most. You will hear powerful clips on gut health, hormones, burnout, mitochondria, intimacy, alcohol, oral and eye health, and the nervous system. Again...
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How to Increase Libido After Menopause Naturally | Gabriella Espinosa
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
So many women hit midlife and suddenly find themselves whispering about things they never thought they’d struggle with, like desire, dryness, disconnection, or feeling like a stranger in their own body. That quiet discomfort adds up, and it can take a real toll on intimacy and self-confidence. In this episode, we start talking about what’s actually going on with your hormones, your libido, and your relationships, so you can finally get clarity instead of guessing. Gabriella Espinosa, a Menopause Advocate, Women’s Health and Sexual Wellness Coach, and Host of Pleasure in the...
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How to Increase Oxytocin levels + Why You Need To | Dr. Tyna Moore
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
Oxytocin might get all the hype as the “love hormone,” but the way it quietly shapes our mood, relationships, and everyday well-being is honestly pretty incredible once you understand it. In today’s episode, you’ll get a clear look at what this hormone is actually doing behind the scenes and why it plays such a big role in how connected, calm, and joyful we feel. We break down the real science in simple language and talk about the places where oxytocin shows up in your life without you even noticing. I’m sitting down with my good friend, Dr. Tyna Moore, one of the smartest and...
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Why You Probably Need to Drink Less | Dr. Brooke Scheller
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
It’s wild how easily alcohol becomes part of our routine, especially in midlife, yet so many women quietly wonder why their sleep, mood, or hormones suddenly feel out of sync. In this episode, we get real about what alcohol is actually doing behind the scenes and how a few simple nutrition shifts can change the way you feel (and even what you crave). I’m sitting down with Dr. Brooke Scheller, a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and Founder of Functional Sobriety, whose work is helping women rethink their drinking habits with compassion and curiosity. Dr. Brooke opens up about her own...
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You're Not Getting Enough Morning Sunlight | Jack Kruse
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
The fascinating intersections of circadian biology, quantum health, and women’s wellness really come alive as I sit down with Neurosurgeon-turned-Quantum-Biologist Dr. Jack Kruse. You’ll hear how simple things, like the light you see first thing in the morning, quietly shape your hormones, energy, and even how you age. Dr. Jack’s decades of surgical and biophysical knowledge make these concepts surprisingly practical for everyday health. By the end, you may find yourself rethinking your daily routines in the best way. Together, we get into why AM sunlight can make such a big...
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How to Boost Fertility Naturally
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
Fertility challenges are becoming all too common, and it’s not just about trying to get pregnant. It’s about the bigger picture of how our health today shapes the next generation. I sat down with my dear friend, Dr. Ann Shippy, a brilliant Functional Medicine Physician and Author of The Preconception Revolution, to talk about what’s really driving the rise in infertility and what we can do about it long before conception even happens. Dr. Ann has such a unique perspective. She started out as a chemical engineer before becoming a doctor, so she looks at the body like a system: one...
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Can Trauma Cause Physical Pain?
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
You know that feeling when your body’s tired but your heart’s carrying the real weight? Yeah… that’s not just stress. It’s your body holding onto stories it never got to finish, the unprocessed stuff we call trauma. In this powerful and personal conversation, Dr. Shiroko Sokitch and I get into how emotional wounds can quietly shape your physical health, and how real healing starts when you finally listen to what your body’s been trying to say. Dr. Shiroko spent years in emergency medicine before following her intuition into acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine,...
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The Truth About Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
Strong bones do more than prevent fractures; they help you stay active, confident, and energized no matter your age. I caught up with Kevin Ellis, aka the Bone Coach, a Forbes-featured integrative health coach who’s helped thousands of people worldwide improve their bone health through his Stronger Bones Solution. We talk about what your bone density scores really mean, the difference between bone quality and bone density, and practical steps you can take today to strengthen your bones. Kevin also shares simple nutrition tips, supplements like vitamin D3, K2, and collagen, plus safe...
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Beyond Menopause: Reclaiming Health and Vitality with Functional Medicine
The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca
The transition through midlife can feel like stepping into unknown territory, your body changes, your moods shift, and suddenly what used to work no longer does. But what if understanding your hormones was the key to feeling like yourself again? In today’s conversation, Dr. Cheryl Burdette, Director of Education at Progressive Medical Center and Co-Founder of Precision Point Diagnostics, breaks down what’s really happening inside your body during this season of change. She shares how functional testing and targeted lifestyle shifts can restore energy, balance, and clarity at any age....
info_outlineOne day, you’re cruising along like usual, and the next… everything feels off. Your mood’s all over the place, sleep is a struggle, and let’s not even talk about the sudden weight changes. Sound familiar? In this episode, my daughter Amira joins me again as we unpack what’s really happening during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause—when it starts, what to expect, and how to handle the rollercoaster of symptoms.
We’re getting real about everything from hormone therapy to natural ways to feel better, plus the surprising links between menopause, bone health, and heart health. And if your sex drive isn’t what it used to be, you’re not alone—we’ll talk about why that happens and what you can do about it. This conversation is all about getting answers to the questions so many of us have but don’t always talk about. If you’ve ever wondered, is this normal?—this episode is for you.
Also, if you’re feeling drained, moody, or just off, I have to tell you about Mighty Maca Plus. It’s my go-to for balancing hormones naturally, and so many women swear by it for better energy, mood, and fewer hot flashes. It’s easy, it works, and it’s made a real difference in my life too. Check it out at dranna.com/drinkmaca and see for yourself!
Key Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Introduction.
[00:02:48] Perimenopause timeline and symptoms.
[00:05:42] Weight gain during perimenopause.
[00:08:24] Feelings of anxiety in perimenopause.
[00:10:00] Sleep problems in perimenopause.
[00:11:21] Sex drive changes in perimenopause.
[00:12:24] Hormone therapy during perimenopause.
[00:14:27] Brain fog and memory issues in perimenopause.
[00:16:26] How do you know you’ve entered menopause?
[00:18:10] Persistent hot flashes and solutions.
[00:21:03] Weight gain in the midsection and insulin resistance.
[00:24:05] Vaginal health and aging.
[00:29:08] Menopause and bone health.
[00:32:06] Pros and cons of HRT.
[00:33:28] How long do menopause symptoms last?
[00:35:19] Heart health post-menopause.
[00:37:17] Losing your sex drive after menopause.
[00:39:07] Natural alternatives to hormone therapy.
[00:40:30] Mental health during post menopause.
[00:44:37] Supplements for optimal health.
[00:47:54] Improving your energy levels.
[00:49:08] Brain health and wellness risks.
Memorable Quotes:
"While menopause is natural and mandatory, suffering is optional." [00:04:31] – Dr. Anna Cabeca
"Vaginal health is necessary for life and really part of optimal health, because if that isn't healthy, then we're going to have some issues." [00:25:23] – Dr. Anna Cabeca
Links Mentioned:
Mighty Maca Plus: http://dranna.com/drinkmaca
Submit your questions to us through this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAxR1oPFFM7hGaipAEwUCGhl8q79G8MawUxxXMaeuZX_c_WA/viewform
Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:
Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca
Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com