Everything Women Need to Know About Menopause in 2026

Join Dr Shauna Watts’ "Now What?" List - https://shauna-watts-263a.mykajabi.com/what-next---------Menopause doesn't come with an instruction manual, but it should.After a year of conversations with some of the world's leading menopause experts, Dr. Shauna Watts has brought together the questions women keep asking and the practical advice that can actually help.How much protein do you really need in midlife? Why does muscle become so important? What role does testosterone play in women's health? Does vaginal estrogen really matter? And why can sleep suddenly become so difficult during perimenopause and menopause?In this special All About You menopause mashup, Dr. Shauna Watts brings together insights from Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Dr. Rachel Rubin and Dr. Kelly Casperson, alongside her own clinical experience, to create a practical menopause cheat sheet you can come back to again and again.In this episode, we cover:➡️ Why protein and resistance training become increasingly important during midlife➡️ What happens to muscle mass, visceral fat and bone health during the menopause transition➡️ How much protein women may need to support muscle and reduce frailty➡️ Why creatine is becoming an important conversation in women's health➡️ Why vaginal symptoms can involve much more than dryness, including urinary symptoms and painful sex➡️ What genital urinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) actually means➡️ Why testosterone may take longer to have an effect than estrogen➡️ Practical strategies for improving sleep during perimenopause and menopause➡️ How nutrition, movement, sleep and hormones can work together➡️ Why women should approach menopause proactively rather than simply waiting for symptoms to appear.This episode encourages women to go into midlife informed, build muscle, support their nutrition and health, understand their treatment options and surround themselves with the right professional and personal support.Follow the doctors in this episode: Dr. Mary Claire Haver - https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire/ Dr. Rachel Rubin - https://www.instagram.com/drrachelrubin/ Dr. Kelly Casperson - https://www.instagram.com/kellycaspersonmd/ -------------Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.-----------------Chapters00:00 - Menopause Cheat Sheet: What Every Woman Needs to Know00:34 - Menopause, Muscle Loss & Strength Training01:09 - Menopause Weight Gain & Visceral Fat03:09 - Does HRT Help With Weight Loss?04:11 - Why Protein Matters During Menopause05:13 - How Much Protein Do Women Need?07:47 - Menopause Supplements: What Actually Matters?09:58 - Creatine for Women & Menopause11:28 - Menopause, Osteoporosis & Strong Bones12:40 - Vaginal Hormones: Estrogen vs DHEA20:51 - Testosterone for Women: Why It Matters28:41 - Vaginal Dryness & Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause34:13 - Menopause, Sex, Pain & Low Libido48:06 - How to Sleep Better During Menopause-----------------Keywordsmenopausemenopause symptomsmenopause treatmentmenopause 2026menopause guidemenopause adviceperimenopauseperimenopause symptomsHRThormone replacement therapymenopause weight gainmenopause proteinprotein for women over 40menopause muscle lossmenopause testosteronetestosterone for womenvaginal estrogenvaginal hormonesvaginal dryness menopausemenopause sleepmenopause brain fogmenopause libidomenopause sexmenopause osteoporosismenopause bone healthmenopause nutritionmenopause exerciseresistance training menopause