Moment: Painful Sex & Shrinking Labia? What Menopause Really Does to Your Body ft Dr. Haver

In this episode, Dr. Rena Malik, MD discusses the significant changes that the vulva undergoes during menopause with her guest, Dr. Mary Claire Haver. They explore the dramatic reduction in estrogen and testosterone levels and how this leads to tissue thinning, loss of collagen, and decreased mucus production in the vaginal area. These changes can result in discomfort, pain during sex, and increased susceptibility to infections. The conversation highlights the positive impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on mitigating these symptoms and improving women's overall health, despite the lingering misconceptions and stigmas surrounding its use. Dr. Mary Claire Haver emphasizes the benefits of estrogen for heart health, cholesterol management, and even mental well-being. They address the flaws and public misconceptions stemming from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, which significantly impacted the perception of HRT. The episode underscores the importance of educating both patients and clinicians about the safe and effective use of hormone therapy to improve the quality of life for women experiencing menopause. By advocating for better healthcare practices and raising awareness, Dr. Haver and Dr. Malik aim to empower women to seek the treatments they need Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content: renamalik.supercast.com Schedule an appointment with me: https://www.renamalikmd.com/appointments ▶️Chapters: 00:00 Menopause effects on vulva 01:32 Vaginal tissue changes 02:49 Testosterone and mood 03:08 Misconceptions about estrogen 06:48 Women's Health Initiative 12:33 SSRI use and alternatives Don't forget to check out Dr. Haver Tik Tok - tiktok.com/@drmaryclaire Facebook - facebook.com/drmaryclaire Instagram - instagram.com/drmaryclaire Youtube - www.youtube.com/@maryclairehavermd8473 The New Menopause Book - https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-new-menopause-book thepauselife.com https://maryclairewellness.com/ Let's Connect!: WEBSITE: http://www.renamalikmd.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@RenaMalikMD INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/RenaMalikMD TWITTER: http://twitter.com/RenaMalikMD FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RenaMalikMD/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renadmalik PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/renamalikmd/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/RenaMalikMD ------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is purely educational and does not constitute medical advice. The content of this podcast is my personal opinion, and not that of my employer(s). Use of this information is at your own risk. Rena Malik, M.D. will not assume any liability for any direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices