All About Menopause: Expert Advice from Dr. Mary Claire Haver - Part One

Join us for a no-nonsense guide to menopause with Dr. Mary Claire Haver. As a board-certified OBGYN and certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, Dr. Haver brings her extensive knowledge and experience to SHE MD in this fascinating conversation on all things menopause. Dr. Haver is the author of the bestselling book "The Galveston Diet," and "The New Menopause," releasing April 30, 2024. Leading a clinic focused on menopause care and boasting a social media following of over 3 million, Dr. Haver offers valuable insights into managing menopause symptoms and treatments. In this episode, she sits down with Dr. A and Mary Alice to compare notes on Hormone Replacement Therapy, unpack the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, and walk us through her patient care playbook. If you’re looking to get clued in on menopause with some straight talk from experts, you won’t want to miss this two-part series from SHE MD.

Menopause Takeaways

1. Incorporate strength and resistance training into your workout routine — Strength training counteracts menopause-related loss of muscle mass and bone density. Strength training, in particular, has bone benefits beyond those offered by aerobic exercise and can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
2. Know your family history — If you have a close family member with a chronic disease, you may be more likely to develop that disease yourself, especially if more than one close relative has (or had) the disease or a family member got the disease at a younger age than usual. Family health history can help your doctor decide which screening tests you need and when those tests should start. Screening tests, such as blood sugar testing, mammograms, and colorectal cancer screenings, help find early signs of disease. Finding disease early can mean better health in the long run.
3. Educate yourself — Understand the signs and symptoms of menopause so you’re not blindsided when you begin to experience symptoms. Have conversations with family and friends about menopause. Raising awareness is vital to normalizing menopause and enabling women to get the support they need. Don’t suffer in silence. Tell your healthcare provider about symptoms that are disrupting your daily life, there may be lifestyle changes or medications that can help.
4. Get enough fiber in your diet — Eating lots of fiber from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can significantly decrease your risk of dying from heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and/or colon cancer.
5. Limit alcohol consumption — Women in menopause do not tolerate alcohol well. Alcohol use during menopause can worsen symptoms and increase a woman's risk for serious health conditions, like heart disease and breast cancer.

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