Female Hormones after 40 with Dr. Lara Briden

In this episode, I welcome an old friend of the podcast Dr. Lara Briden  a Naturopathic Physician based in New Zealand who is a world-renowned expert on the hormone health and endocrine related women’s health concerns. You can find her at www.larabriden.com  Dr. Briden was on episode #9 speaking on endometriosis and episode 38 on androgen dominance and she comes back this week to speak about Female Hormones after 40 the subject of her latest book Hormone Repair Manual, every woman's guide to hormones after 40. Dr. Briden has many accolades including: Member of the Scientific Advisory Council for the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research at the University of British Columbia Member of the Endometriosis Special Interest Group (ESIG) of Endometriosis New Zealand Member of the editorial board of Vital Link, the official naturopathic medical journal of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors In this episode we do a deep dive into female hormones after 40  which Dr. Briden calls ‘’ The second puberty. We discuss including cultural and anthropological aspects of perimenopause and menopause. We discuss the four phases of perimenopause and how it may start as early as 35 for some We have deep discussion progesterone, testosterone, estrogen/estradiol and discuss some of the concerns of treatment and how support may play a role in brain health, metabolic health, and cardiovascular support. Which women are most likely in need of support. See below for show links and show outline: As is a tradition , a donation is made the first 100 plays of our podcast are dedicated to a unique charity. Dr.Bridens episode is dedicated to Vitamin Angels. Show outline: (0:00) Show intro (3:00) opening (4:51)  The cultural and personal experience of menopausal transition (13:23) The four  phases of perimenopause (22:37) Progesterone deep dive (28:11) Different Progesterone Forms and why form matters. (35:12) Androgens in perimenopause and relative androgen dominance (39:06) Sex Hormone Binding Globulin levels (SHBG) why raising SHBG is important in perimenopause (41:47) Estradiol: what happens to it during perimenopause. Why is it so unpredictable?  (46:24) Estrogen and disease risk (47:23) Estrogen Therapy, when is indicated (49:40) Treatment Philosophy (55:11) Closing thoughts References in episode: The Slow Moon Climbs: The Science, History, and Meaning of Menopause Swan Study: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) is a multi-site longitudinal, epidemiologic study designed to examine the health of women during their middle years https://www.swanstudy.org/ Dr. Jerilynn Prior http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/researchers/publications Briden/Prior paper on PCOS