Ep. 356 Menopause, Heart Health and HRT with Dr. Felice Gersh

I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Felice Gersh today for our fourth discussion. Dr. Gersh is a globally recognized expert on women's hormones. As the Medical Director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, she often collaborates with numerous research organizations. In our discussion today, we dive into cardiovascular disease risks and menopause, highlighting the metabolic transition that menopause represents and exploring risk factors like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and PCOS. We get into the use of oral contraceptives, particularly before the age of 20, early puberty, and premature ovarian failure, while examining the role of the RAS system, synthetic hormones, and the differences between estrone and estradiol. We discuss the optimal timing for starting hormone replacement therapy and explain why we should love our menstrual cycles, addressing the risks related to circadian rhythm disruption. We also look at arterial changes, cholesterol dynamics, the autonomic nervous system, gut health and cardiac wellness in menopause, and proactive ways to support our bodies. I am confident you will find today’s conversation with Dr. Felice Gersh most enlightening and informative. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why women need to understand basic female physiology How pregnancy-induced insulin resistance and leaky gut can lead to cardiovascular issues later in life Dr. Gersh highlights the importance of metabolic health in pregnancy and menopause Why it is risky for young women to use oral contraceptives What irregular bleeding in perimenopausal women might indicate Why the inflammatory response is critical for survival, even though it may become problematic if not properly regulated How estrogen is a family of hormones, not a single hormone How estradiol differs from estrone Why should menopause be treated like any other hormone deficiency state? The optimal time for hormone replacement therapy Why post-menopausal women are more susceptible to heart attacks than men Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Felice Gersh On her website: Integrative Medical Group of Irvine Instagram All of Dr. Gersh’s books are available on Amazon Ep. 297 Dr. Felice Gersh: Estrogen, Immunity & Menopause Mysteries Ep. 237 Perimenopause and Menopause: What You Didn’t Know with Dr. Felice Gersh Ep. 221 Part 1- An Integrative Approach to PCOS and Menstrual Irregularities with Dr. Felice Gersh