Breaking Barriers: Dr. Sharon Malone on Menopause, Health Equity, and Career Changes

Do you ever wish that your conversations about menopause were more open? Well, that is precisely what our latest podcast episode addresses. Welcome Dr. Sharon Malone as we dive deep into the pressing issue of menopause. Dr. Sharon Malone is a DC-based OB/GYN and Certified Menopause Practitioner on a mission to empower women to take charge of their health. She is a nationally known expert in women’s health, a New York Times Bestselling author, and the Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Women’s Health.Together, we emphasize the critical need for education and awareness among both the community and healthcare providers to better address the needs of women going through menopause.Dr. Malone and I highlight the importance of seeking specialized care and effectively navigating the healthcare system. They discuss the challenges and limitations posed by the current insurance system, stressing the urgency of innovative solutions, including telehealth, which could democratize access to specialized care and ensure every woman gets the treatment she deserves.The episode delves into significant findings from the SWAN study, which observed menopausal women over 25 years. Notably, it revealed black women tend to experience menopause earlier with more severe symptoms, such as hot flashes, disrupted sleep, and increased cardiovascular risks. Despite these severe symptoms, there is often a lack of adequate hormone therapy due to a combination of misinformation and the normalization of suffering.Additionally, Dr. Malone shares her personal journey through menopause, highlighting that it can be a productive and fulfilling phase of life if women take charge of their health and well-being. She also discusses her transition from private practice to her role at Alloy Health, aiming to provide more comprehensive care for menopausal women.Highlights:The SWAN Study Findings: Learn about the long-term study that observed menopausal women and the insights gained regarding the onset and severity of symptoms. Navigating Healthcare: Tips on finding the right expertise and efficiently managing healthcare interactions.Telehealth and Innovation: Explore how telehealth can improve access to specialized care for women.Dr. Malone's Personal Journey: Discover how menopause can be a creative and fulfilling phase of life when women take proactive steps for their health.Aging Gracefully: Emphasize the importance of taking charge of one’s health and leveraging intergenerational conversations for cognitive fitness.About Dr. Sharon Malone:Dr. Sharon Malone is a DC -based OB/GYN and Certified Menopause Practitioner on a mission to empower women to take charge of their health.Dr. Sharon Malone is a nationally known expert in women’s health and the New York Times Bestselling author of Grown Woman Talk. She is the Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Women’s Health, a telehealth company that focuses on women over 40. Before joining Alloy, Dr. Malone was a partner at one of the oldest and most successful OB/GYN medical practices in Washington, D.C. She is board-certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and certified by the North American Menopause Society as a Certified National Menopause Practitioner. Throughout her professional career, she has been active in advocating for reproductive rights, reducing teen pregnancy, and eliminating health care disparities.Dr. Malone is the youngest of eight children. During World War II, her parents, both of whom were raised in the rural south, moved to Mobile, Alabama, during the migration from farms to cities. She has seen health care from both sides– as a physician and a child of parents who negotiated health care for themselves and their families in the Jim Crow South. Despite living next door to two hospitals, preventative health care was never a part of her family’s life. As a result, Dr. Malone’s mother would lose her life to colon cancer, diagnosed too late for treatment. This searing life experience has informed how Dr. Malone has chosen to practice medicine and brought focus to the healthcare issues she has chosen to pursue.In addition to her interest in women’s health, Dr. Malone is an avid reader, an amateur genealogist, and a lover of music. She is married to former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. and lives in Washington, D.C. They are the parents of Maya, Brooke, and Eric III.Remember, this podcast exists to educate so that you can advocate for yourself. Who else would you like us to interview? Please like, share, and give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!Get in touch with Dr. Sharon Malone:WebsiteBookInstagramTwitterGet in Touch with Dr. Rahman:PracticeInstagramYoutube