Female Longevity: Hormones, Midlife, Brain Health & Aging Strong with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

What does it actually mean to age well as a woman?

Dr. Elizabeth Poynor joins SheMD to explore longevity through a female and hormonal lens. Drawing on her background in gynecologic oncology, cancer prevention and women’s health, she explains why midlife can be a critical turning point and what may begin changing in the body years before menopause.

Dr. Poynor breaks down the roles of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, including their connections to sleep, mood, brain fog, body composition, metabolic health and overall well-being. She also discusses hormone therapy, GLP-1s, protein intake, strength training, genetic testing, cancer prevention and why she believes movement is one of the most important habits women can build for long-term health.

Plus, Dr. Poynor shares her own experience with BRCA1, why she believes women should take a more proactive approach to prevention, and the mindset shift she wants women to make about aging.

Midlife is not just something to get through. It may be one of your greatest opportunities to take control of how you age.

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What You’ll Learn

• Why midlife is a critical window for women to take a proactive approach to longevity and health
• How hormonal changes in the late reproductive years can affect sleep, mood, brain health, metabolism, and body composition
• The role of strength training, protein, sleep, nutrition, and stress management in healthy aging
• What women should know about hormone therapy, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
• How GLP-1 medications may fit into midlife health and body composition, and why maintaining muscle is so important
• Why women’s longevity needs to be understood through a hormonal lens—and where more research is still needed

Key Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to SHE MD Podcast

00:41 From Oncologist To Longevity Expert

04:04 Why Cancer Rates Are Rising

05:11 Genetic Testing And BRCA Story

07:47 Foundational Pillars For Health

09:42 Protein Intake For Midlife Women

11:44 GLP-1s And Body Composition

19:19 The Midlife Hormonal Turning Point

26:44 When To Start Hormone Therapy

31:46 Oral Vs Transdermal Estrogen

41:07 Progesterone And Testosterone Explained

46:37 Why Midlife Is A Critical Window

50:03 Movement As The Top Longevity Habit

51:12 Peptides: Where The Research Stands

53:10 Women's Longevity Vs Men's

Key Takeaways

• Midlife is a critical opportunity to take a proactive approach to health and longevity.
• Hormonal changes can impact sleep, mood, brain health, metabolism, and body composition.
• Strength training and daily movement are foundational for healthy aging.
• Protein and muscle preservation become increasingly important as women age.
• Hormone therapy should be personalized and discussed with a knowledgeable healthcare professional.
• More research is needed on hormones, GLP-1s, peptides, and women’s longevity.
• Healthy habits built earlier in life can create a stronger foundation for long-term health.
• Women’s longevity should be studied through a female-specific hormonal lens.

Guest Bio - Dr. Elizabeth Poyner

Dr. Elizabeth Poynor is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist, pelvic surgeon, and women’s health expert specializing in menopause, hormone health, and complex gynecologic conditions. She is Chair of Women’s Health and Gynecology at the Atria Health and Research Institute and a Clinical Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She combines her expertise in gynecologic oncology, surgery, and midlife women’s health to help women better understand and navigate their health.

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