Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Menopause Reimagined with Andrea Donsky

"I'm barely eating, but the scale keeps climbing. Is it my hormones, my metabolism, or something else?"

If you're struggling with perimenopause weight gain, especially stubborn belly fat, you're not alone. It's one of the most common concerns women share with us, and there are a lot of opinions about what really causes it.

Online health coach Aram Grigorian is back for another conversation with Andrea Donsky, and this time they're tackling a big question: Is weight gain during perimenopause and menopause really all about hormones?

Aram has spent 17 years coaching women over 40, and he shares his perspective on why calorie intake, nutrition, and lifestyle habits still matter when it comes to losing weight. They also discuss how hormonal changes can affect appetite, fat distribution, and body composition.

Andrea brings her own experiences and menopause research to the conversation, exploring insulin resistance, changes in metabolism, poor sleep, fatigue, and the challenges of exercising when you're already exhausted. She also opens up about her years of weighing and tracking every bite of food and how that affected her relationship with eating.

Together, they explore why losing weight after 40 can feel so challenging, the role of GLP-1 medications, how to manage food noise, and practical ways to make healthy eating easier.

They don't agree on everything, and that's what makes this such an interesting conversation! You'll hear different perspectives, plenty of thought-provoking moments, and practical tips you can take away.

What You'll Learn

• Why hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can contribute to increased belly fat
• How calorie intake, muscle mass, and metabolism influence weight loss after 40
• Why we may underestimate how much we're eating, even when we're trying to eat healthy
• What food noise is and strategies for managing it without GLP-1 medications
• How insulin resistance, poor sleep, and fatigue can affect weight management
• Aram's step-by-step approach to fat loss for women over 40
• How ingredient prepping can make healthy eating easier without spending hours cooking

Content note: This episode contains strong language and a brief discussion of online harassment and past suicidal thoughts. If you need support, call or text 988 in Canada or the US.

Episode Chapters:

1:24 Is Perimenopause or Menopause Causing Your Weight Gain?

6:47 Aram Responds to His Viral Menopause Weight Loss Video

15:21 How to Spot Misleading Menopause and Weight Loss Advice Online

22:12 Why Belly Fat Increases During Perimenopause and Menopause

26:31 Calorie Deficits, GLP-1 Medications, and Menopause Weight Loss

29:18 Why "Eat Less and Exercise More" Can Be Frustrating Advice

33:22 Are You Eating More Calories Than You Think?

36:09 How to Manage Food Noise Without GLP-1 Medications

43:53 Muscle Mass, Metabolism, and Weight Gain After 40

49:30 Insulin Resistance, Poor Sleep, Fatigue, and Perimenopause Weight Gain

1:02:45 Aram's Approach to Weight Loss for Women Over 40

1:10:36 Food Tracking, Hidden Calories, and Using AI to Track Meals

1:16:21 Meal Timing, Eating Carbs at Night, and Blood Sugar Balance

1:21:40 Weight Watchers, Food Tracking, and Our Relationship with Food

1:23:40 Easy Meal Prep Tips for Busy Women Over 40

1:32:10 What to Do When Your Doctor Dismisses Your Menopause Symptoms

1:33:19 Aram's Final Thoughts and Where to Find Him

Connect and Learn More

Follow Aram Grigorian on Instagram: @4weeks2thebeach

Listen to Aram's first appearance, Episode #200: This Works Better Than Trying to Control Your Hormones

Andrea's egg cooker (affiliate link): Dash Deluxe Rapid Egg Cooker

Help us advance menopause research: Take our new research survey, Perimenopause & Menopause Across Ethnicities.

Aram's views are his own. This podcast is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.

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Nicolé Thompson donated a kidney to her husband Constantine five days after their wedding in 2011. He has polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and his father died after 10 years on dialysis. Fifteen years later, they're both doing well.

Nicolé is a Morphus customer, life coach, and professional singer, and her story is one of the most unexpected conversations we've had on the show. She walks Andrea through living donor testing, surgery day (including a nurse who mistook her husband for a stranger), her recovery, and what life after a transplant looks like for him. Then she talks about the part so many of us know: when perimenopause arrived in 2020, she blamed her anxiety and fatigue on COVID, on stress, even on having one kidney.

What you'll learn:
- What living kidney donor testing actually involves
- What recovery felt like after donating a kidney
- What polycystic kidney disease is and why it runs in families
- Why kidney transplant patients avoid grapefruit
- Why perimenopause anxiety and fatigue are so easy to blame on something else

Chapters:
2:00 A kidney donation love story (and a very awkward nurse)
5:18 Her fiancé's polycystic kidney disease diagnosis
7:43 Living kidney donor testing: what really happens
13:56 Married 5 days before the kidney transplant
19:33 Kidney donor recovery: the first 6 weeks
21:17 What is polycystic kidney disease (PKD)?
23:23 Life after a kidney transplant: meds, grapefruit, colds
29:01 One kidney and perimenopause: anxiety, fatigue, insulin resistance
32:39 How kidney donation has changed, and would she do it again?
40:19 Her message if organ donation scares you

Take our new research survey, Perimenopause & Menopause Across Ethnicities: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeETDntSjZxIpJ8smhR8n6RoOJVFqTPkSUnfP_oP4nKW_P4Hw/viewform

This episode shares one person's experience and is not medical advice.

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My thyroid labs are "normal," but my hair's falling out, and I'm exhausted. Is this menopause or my thyroid?

If that sounds familiar, you're in good company. Andrea Donsky, nutritionist and bestselling author of Nourishing Menopause, has had Hashimoto's for more than 20 years, and once she hit menopause, her thyroid symptoms changed completely. The cold hands and weight gain she'd learned to watch for were replaced by a hoarse voice, fast weight loss, and depression.

So she sat down with Dr. Jade Guerra, a chiropractor and family nurse practitioner who has spent decades in functional medicine. They talk about what Hashimoto's actually is, why so many doctors don't check thyroid antibodies, and the kinds of testing Dr. Jade uses to look for what's behind your symptoms. Then they get into blood sugar: why insulin resistance gets more common in menopause, which fruits spike you (watermelon did it to Andrea), and why a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can tell you more than any food list.

And if you've ever walked out of an appointment feeling brushed off, Dr. Jade's closing message is for you.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Why your thyroid symptoms can look different in menopause
- What Hashimoto's is and why a thyroid antibody test is worth asking about
- How mold and other toxins can sneak into everyday food
- Why insulin resistance gets more common after menopause
- Which fruits are easier on your blood sugar, and how to get a CGM without a prescription in the US

CHAPTERS
4:04 Why Doctors Don't Test Thyroid Antibodies
7:27 Meet Dr. Jade Guerra + Andrea's Hashimoto's Story After Menopause
9:45 Normal Thyroid Labs? Testing That Looks for the Root Cause
12:52 What Is Hashimoto's? 3 Things Every Woman Should Know
14:42 Plastics, Air and Water: Lowering Your Toxic Load
16:32 Mold in Your Food, Mold Testing and Why Daily Poops Matter
19:48 Insulin Resistance in Menopause: Why Is It Happening?
23:11 Eating for Steady Blood Sugar: Fruit, Watermelon and CGMs
26:25 Hair Loss, TSH and Being Dismissed by Your Doctor
29:35 It's Not Your Fault: Finding a Provider Who Listens

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Dr. Jade Guerra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjadeguerra/
Ep #192, Thyropause & Hashimoto's with Dr. Amie Hornaman: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374700/episodes/19178901-ep-192-thyropause-hashimoto-s-with-dr-amie-hornaman
Ep #207, Insulin, GLP-1s & Menopause with Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374700/episodes/19818368-ep-207-insulin-glp-1s-menopause-dr-sarah-wilson-nd

Nothing in this episode is medical advice. Talk to your own provider before starting or stopping any medication or supplement.

#thyroid #menopause #hashimotos

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My labs came back "normal." So why do I feel like I'm falling apart and gaining weight?

If you've heard that from your doctor, this one's for you. Andrea sits down with her friend (and her own doctor), Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND, founder and clinical director of Advanced Women's Health. They recorded this with no script, for both of their podcasts, and it shows. They laugh a lot, and they still get into the stuff most doctors skip.

Sarah explains why she tests insulin and inflammation, not just FSH and LH, and why you can feel off for years before your labs show perimenopause. She uses a bank account analogy for insulin and fat storage that finally makes it click. Then they talk honestly about GLP-1 medications, what the big weight loss trials actually did, and why food, supplements, and medication don't have to be an either/or choice.

Sarah also shares something personal. She used to weigh 100 pounds more than she does now, while eating well and working out, and it took years to find out why.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Why your labs can look normal when you feel anything but, and what "late reproductive" means
- Which blood tests to ask about in perimenopause, including fasting insulin and inflammation markers
- How insulin affects where your body stores fat, and why eating less often backfires
- What the GLP-1 studies don't put in the headlines
- 3 surprising things that can add to perimenopause weight gain

CHAPTERS
2:00 Why a Doctor Who Won't Budge Is a Red Flag
2:31 Meet Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND
5:36 "I Don't Know Where to Start" and How Your Feed Shapes What You Know
8:06 Normal Labs but You Don't Feel Like Yourself? The Stage Before Perimenopause
11:25 Blood Tests to Ask for in Perimenopause: Insulin and Inflammation
15:08 How Insulin Drives Menopause Belly Fat (the Bank Account Analogy)
19:46 Food First, and When You Need Extra Help
24:20 GLP-1s in Menopause: What the Weight Loss Studies Don't Tell You
27:47 Why Doing Everything at Once Backfires
32:18 "When Did You Last Feel Like Yourself?" Weight, Confidence and Real Goals
38:27 3 Surprising Causes of Perimenopause Weight Gain
40:34 Menopause as Your "Done Caring" Era, and Why Laughing Helps
50:56 How to Find a Doctor Who Actually Listens

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Advanced Women's Health (Dr. Sarah Wilson's clinics in Ontario and BC): https://www.advancedwomenshealth.ca/
Finally Lose It by Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND: https://amzn.to/4jpTM9e
The Advanced Women's Health Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-advanced-womens-health-podcast/id1772009349
Dr. Sarah Wilson on Instagram: @drsarah_nd
Sarah's first visit to the show, Perimenopause Decoded: 7 Root Causes of Hot Flashes, Weight Gain & Brain Fog: https://youtu.be/u_otR4Oy-70
Ep #195, GLP-1 and Muscle Loss with Natalie Bean: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374700/episodes/19287911-ep-195-glp-1-and-muscle-loss-in-perimenopause-what-to-eat-to-protect-it-with-natalie-bean
Ep #203, Perimenopause Weight Gain and the 17 Reasons Why: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374700/episodes/19670683-ep-203-perimenopause-weight-gain-and-the-17-reasons-why

This episode is not medical advice. Talk to your own provider before starting or stopping any medication or supplement.

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Everyone's suddenly drinking hydrogen water. Is it hype, or is there actually science behind it?

Andrea met Paul Barattiero more than ten years ago at a health show in Toronto, back when almost nobody was talking about hydrogen water. Now it's everywhere, and a practitioner friend of Andrea's has been sending her studies about it almost daily. So she invited Paul on to explain what molecular hydrogen actually is, why he says it's not the same thing as the hydrogen in H2O, and what happens in the body when you drink it.

Paul's route into this was personal. His wife spent the first decade of their marriage with heavy, painful periods, adenomyosis and significant anemia, losing about a week of every month to her bed. On a cruise in 2005, friends handed her a jug of water they couldn't really explain, and something shifted. That sent Paul down a twenty-year path that inspired him to launch Echo Water.

In this conversation they talk about gut health, oxidative stress and inflammation, why hydrogen might behave more like a signal than a supplement, how much to drink and when, and what the menopause-specific research does and doesn't say yet. 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

- What molecular hydrogen (H2) is, and why "isn't hydrogen already in water" is the wrong question

- Why your gut may be the reason you're not making hydrogen the way you used to

- What oxidative stress and chronic inflammation actually mean

- How much hydrogen water to drink a day, and why timing it around your workout may matter

- What the menopause research covers so far, including bone density, sleep, blood sugar and heart health

CHAPTERS 

3:10 Isn't Hydrogen Already in Water? Why the Answer Is No

4:15 Why We're Talking About Hydrogen Water in Perimenopause

9:03 Heavy Periods, Anemia and a Cruise Ship: How Echo Water Started

14:40 Your Colon Is a Hydrogen Ecosystem: The Gut Hydrogen Connection

20:00 Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Explained

23:55 Hydrogen, Ghrelin and Brain Fog: The Gut to Brain Signal

31:37 How Much Hydrogen Water Should You Actually Drink a Day?

41:17 Does Hydrogen Water Go Flat? 

45:40 Hydrogen Water and Menopause: Bone, Sleep, Belly Fat and Heart Health

51:05 Final Thoughts

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Save 10% on Echo Water: https://echowater.com/?ref=Morphus

Hydrogen research database Paul mentions: https://hydrogenstudies.com

Paul Barattiero on Instagram: @dr.paulbarattiero

Echo Water on Instagram: @echohydrogen

Affiliate disclosure: The Echo Water link is an affiliate link. Morphus earns a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you, and you save 10%. Nothing in this episode is medical advice, and hydrogen water is not a treatment for any medical condition. Talk to your own provider about what's right for you.

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What she’s learning about perimenopause and menopause, plus a recipe. Sign up here
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Not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider. Morphus may earn a commission on affiliate links.

Are Your Hormones Really Out of Balance in Perimenopause? Dr. Sharon Stills, ND, Explains What's Happening and What to Do

Told, "It's just aging"? Dr. Sharon Stills says perimenopause isn't a disease, and there's a real answer for your hormones.

Dr. Sharon Stills spent her twenties as, in her own words, "a hot mess": PMS for two and a half weeks a month, migraines, allergies, asthma, and so much bloating that strangers asked when her baby was due. There was no baby. That was her hormones. Twenty-five years, one naturopathic medical degree, and a menopause of her own later, she's a licensed ND who's helped thousands of women rebalance their hormones, and she just opened a 7,000-square-foot healing center in Scottsdale with her son.

In this episode, Andrea and Dr. Stills get into what bioidentical hormones actually are, why the cream your doctor gave you might not be working (hint: it's probably where you're putting it), and why she believes hormone decline, not "aging," is the real root cause of most perimenopause and menopause symptoms. They also cover the messy realities: insurance that won't cover hormone therapy, social media misinformation about compounded hormones, and why Dr. Stills had to fight her own insurance company over a continuous glucose monitor.

If you've ever been told your hormones are "probably fine" without ever being tested, this one's for you.

What you'll learn:

• Why perimenopause and menopause aren't a "disease," and what's actually declining in your body
• The real difference between bioidentical hormones (BHRT) and synthetic HRT, and why your body can tell
• Why rubbing hormone cream on your arms or belly might mean you're getting almost none of the benefit
• Does vaginal estrogen go "systemic"? Dr. Stills settles the debate that's all over social media right now
• What individualized hormone testing looks like, and why "here's a patch, see you in a year" isn't it

Chapters:

3:11 Why Perimenopause and Menopause Aren't a "Disease"
4:51 Meet Dr. Sharon Stills, ND: Naturopathic Medicine's Menopause Expert
8:41 From Hormonal Chaos to Naturopathic Doctor: Dr. Stills' Own Story
19:11 What Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy? Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone Explained
30:11 The Hormone Cream Mistake Almost Everyone Makes
39:11 Hormone Testing, Insurance Battles & the CGM Loophole
47:41 What "Bioidentical" Really Means + Inside the Lasting Wellness Center
52:41 The Free Menopause Summit & Where to Find Dr. Stills
57:31 Final Thoughts: Please Rate & Share the Show

Learn more about Dr. Stills: drsharonstills.com

Learn to register for The Future Of Meno(pause) Medicine Summit. Visit: https://drtalks.com/summits/menopause?uid=981&oid=114&ref=2584

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Can You Start Over in Midlife? Kaurie DiBerardino Rebuilt Her Entire Life at 50 After a Career-Ending Injury

"I used to be a hottie. Now I'm only hot in flashes." If that made you laugh and wince at once, this one's for you.

Kaurie DiBerardino spent years as a pediatric physical therapist, a biologist, and a holistic nutritionist. Then, at 44, a back injury ended her career overnight. What followed was a decade she describes as heavy, dark, and more life than she knew how to carry. Her kids grew up and stopped needing her the way they used to. Her body stopped cooperating. And somewhere in there, menopause arrived.

So she opened an Instagram account and started posting jokes. Her kids mocked her relentlessly. She had ten followers, one of whom was her cat.

On Mother's Day 2025, a reel went viral, and the Former Hotties Club was born. Today, it is a community of thousands of women who show up in black leggings and messy buns to laugh together about the absurdity of getting older.

This one is for you if you have ever thought it's too late, or that starting something new at 50 is embarrassing, or that everybody else has friends and you're the only one who feels this alone.

What you'll learn:

Why so many women feel invisible in midlife, and what actually shifts that feeling
How to start something new after 50 when you're terrified and have no followers yet
Why menopause loneliness hits hardest once the kids are out of the house
What actually changes mentally in menopause, and why so many women say they like themselves more afterward
How to find your people again when school pickup is no longer your social life

Chapters:

2:00 Hot in Flashes: The Menopause Design Flaw Nobody Warned Us About
3:20 Meet Kaurie DiBerardino, the 54-Year-Old Accidental Midlife Influencer
5:10 The Career-Ending Back Injury That Forced a Total Reinvention
9:20 How the Former Hotties Club Got Its Name
13:00 Gen X vs the Golden Girls: Why We Don't Look Like Our Mothers Did
16:30 The Zero Fs Era: Losing Estrogen and Gaining Confidence
20:00 How to Start Something New in Midlife When You're Scared
24:10 Midlife Loneliness After the Kids Leave, and Why Community Helps
27:10 Where to Find Kaurie and Join the Former Hotties Club

Find Kaurie: 
Former Hotties Club: https://formerhottiesclub.com 
Instagram: @theaccidentalmidlifeinfluencer 
TikTok: @formerhottiesclub

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You're eating the same. Moving the same. But the scale is climbing and your belly  is suddenly hard as a rock!

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, author of the bestseller Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition & Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best, 7x published menopause researcher, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, has been there. At 46, she was 20 pounds heavier than she'd been before perimenopause, and she was a nutritionist who had been teaching healthy living for decades. She still couldn't figure it out, and she blamed herself.

In this solo episode, she has the conversation she wishes someone had had with her back in 2016. This episode isn't another lecture about calories but rather an honest explanation of what actually shifts in your body during perimenopause and menopause, and what you can do about it.

What you'll learn:

• Why you're gaining weight in perimenopause when you haven't changed a thing about how you eat.
• What changing estrogen has to do with where your body stores fat, and why it lands on your midsection.
• Why "eat less, exercise more" is the wrong advice for women in this stage of life.
• How sleep, muscle loss, stress, insulin resistance, inflammation, and gut health all quietly feed into weight gain.
• What Andrea's B.A.L.A.N.C.E. Blueprint approach to eating actually covers and how it works.
• And why "not recognizing yourself" in the mirror is grief, not vanity.

Chapters:

0:00 Eating the Same, Exercising the Same, Still Gaining Weight
1:50 20 Pounds Heavier at 46: Andrea's Own Weight Gain Story
2:35 The 17 Reasons We Gain Weight in Perimenopause and Menopause
3:49 Estrogen, Belly Fat, and Why Your Jeans Don't Fit Anymore
4:34 It's Not Vanity, It's Grief: Not Recognizing Your Own Body
5:16 Gen X, Diet Culture, and the 2016 Video That Made Her Face It
7:28 Sleep, Muscle Loss, Insulin Resistance, and Menopause Belly
8:14 Why "Eat Less, Exercise More" Fails Women in Midlife
8:57 The B.A.L.A.N.C.E. Blueprint: What You Can Actually Do About It
9:50 You're Allowed to Want to Lose Weight and Still Have Compassion For Yourself

Get Andrea's book here: "Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition & Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best." (Simon & Schuster, May 5, 2026)

U.S. & Europe: https://amzn.to/4rFj7jk
Canada: https://amzn.to/4r2IDz3

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"I'm doing everything right, and the scale still won't move." If that's you, the scale might be the wrong thing to watch.

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, bestselling author of Nourishing Menopause, 7x published researcher, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, sits down with Daphne Bascom, MD, PhD, a former head and neck surgeon who left the operating room for lifestyle medicine and is now Chief Operations Officer of The Vegan Gym. Daphne is 59, competes as an IFBB Bikini Pro, and has been putting on muscle for a decade on a fully plant-based diet. She is also blunt about the parts that are hard.

This one is for you whether you're vegan, plant-curious, or a total carnivore. Nobody is asking you to give up meat. The question is whether you're getting enough protein and enough different plants, and whether you're measuring the right thing.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

- Can you get enough protein on a plant-based diet in menopause, and what the newest muscle research actually found

- Why the scale lies, and what body composition means in plain English

- What body fat percentage is healthy for women in midlife (the published ranges may surprise you)

- Why you can't out-exercise a bad diet, and the minimum strength training that still moves the needle

- What a full day of plant-based eating looks like when you're aiming for 100+ grams of protein

- Why 30 different plants a week matters more for your gut than any single "superfood"

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Why Plants Have Power in Perimenopause

3:03 Meet Dr. Daphne Bascom: Surgeon Turned Plant-Based MD

6:07 Why Doctors Get Almost No Menopause Training

7:36 Going Plant-Forward: What Changed for Her at Nearly 60

10:27 Can You Get Enough Protein Without Meat in Menopause?

13:29 Why the Scale Lies: Body Composition vs Weight

14:37 What Body Fat Percentage Is Healthy in Menopause?

16:59 You Can't Out-Exercise a Bad Diet

22:15 A Full Day of Plant-Based Eating With 100+ Grams of Protein

27:34 30 Plants a Week, Your Gut, and Your 90-Year-Old Self

CONNECT WITH DAPHNE BASCOM, MD, PhD

Instagram: @wingmandaphne

Website: wingmanwellness.com

The Vegan Gym: thevegangym.com

The Vegan Gym on YouTube (free full days of eating, recipes, shopping lists): youtube.com/@thevegangym

Thrive on Plants podcast: thriveonplants.buzzsprout.com

Rate and review the podcast if this helped. It's how other women find us.

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Keto worked like magic in your 20s and 30s, but then perimenopause hit, and it stopped. Ben Azadi joins Andrea Donsky, author of Nourishing Menopause and 7x published menopause researcher, to explain why strict keto and fasting can backfire on shifting hormones, and how "flexing" instead of white-knuckling gets you back to results.

Ben Azadi is back, and this time he's telling us why strict keto is the wrong move once you hit perimenopause.

We talk through his revised book Keto Flex and why "flexing" in and out of ketosis, instead of staying in it forever, is the piece most women in this life stage are missing.

What you'll learn:

➡ Why doing keto and fasting too aggressively in perimenopause can backfire on your cortisol and adrenals
➡ What cyclical ketosis (keto flex) actually looks like week to week
➡ How ketosis may affect leptin, thyroid (T3), and testosterone, and why your labs can look "normal" while you still feel off
➡ Why brain fog and memory issues might improve with a fat-adapted metabolism
➡ Which fats to build meals around, and which seed oils to quietly drop

Buy Keto Flex Revised: The Advanced Guide to Metabolic Flexibility, Fat Burning, and Hormone Health for Every Body at Every Stage https://amzn.to/44I6BWI

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome Back: Ben Azadi Returns to Talk Keto Flex 

3:08 What's New in the Keto Flex Revised Edition 

6:00 The 4 Pillars of KetoFlex: Adapt, Fast, Phase, Flex 

11:34 Why Strict Keto Backfires in Perimenopause 

14:54 How Keto Flex Affects Leptin, Thyroid (T3), and Testosterone 

21:00 Brain Fog, Memory, and Mitochondria After 40 

24:40 Keto Flex vs. Fasting Mimicking Diet, Plus Protein and Whole Foods 

31:20 The Truth About Seed Oils (and a Joint Pain Story)

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You didn't change a thing, but the scale keeps climbing, and it's all landing on your belly. In this episode, we discuss what's going on now that you're in perimenopause and menopause.

Andrea Donsky, 7x published menopause researcher, author, menopause educator, and co-founder of wearemorpus.com, sits down with online health coach Aram Grigorian, who has spent 17 years helping women 35 and older change their body composition without the shame, the crash diets, or the thousand-dollar programs. This one is candid (heads up, there's some swearing), and it cuts through the noise you've been drowning in since your symptoms started.

Aram and Andrea get into why fat starts settling around your middle in perimenopause, why "eat less, move more" is technically true but nearly useless without a system, and the uncomfortable truth that a lot of women are actually eating too little to lose weight. They also talk honestly about alcohol, sleep, muscle, and why the number of calories you can eat has more to do with muscle than motivation.

What you'll learn:

• Why perimenopause belly fat happens (and why it shows up now when it didn't in your 20s)
• The difference between weight gain and fat gain, and how you can drop or add 15 pounds in 72 hours without gaining an ounce of fat
• Why your doctor's "just eat less and exercise more" advice keeps failing you
• How much alcohol is really costing you in sleep, recovery, and calories
• Why eating too little can stall your weight loss, and how to figure out how many calories you actually need

Chapters:

0:00   Intro: Meet Andrea and Guest Aram Grigorian
2:25   Why Women Aren't Broken: Aram's Story
6:30   Why Perimenopause Weight Goes to Your Belly
12:00  Weight Gain vs Fat Gain: The 15-Pound Water Weight Swing
17:30  "Eat Less, Move More" and Being Dismissed by Your Doctor
24:30  Alcohol, Sleep, and Your Menopause Weight
32:00  Why Eating Too Little Stalls Your Weight Loss
39:00  Muscle, Body Fat, and How Many Calories You Really Need
45:30  Body Image, Mindset, and Getting Your Partner On Board
51:30  What You Can Actually Control (Plus Where to Find Aram)

Learn more about Aram: https://www.instagram.com/4weeks2thebeach

Listen to Andrea's interview on Aram's Podcast 211. Nourishing Menopause w/ Andrea Donsky: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/211-nourishing-menopause-w-andrea-donsky

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If you're doing everything "right" and your body still feels like it's falling apart in perimenopause, this one is for you.

Andrea sits down with Dr. Cassie Smith, a dual-board-certified endocrinologist who grew tired of watching women get normal lab results and zero answers. She wrote the book "Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones" because she was one of those women, too. This conversation goes deep into why your gut is running the show behind your hormones and what you can actually do about it.

We get into the stuff nobody explained to you: why your "UTI" might not be a UTI, why insulin is the domino that knocks over your estrogen, your progesterone, your thyroid, and your sleep, and what microdosing a GLP-1 really means (with real numbers, not hype).

What you'll learn:

• Why perimenopause belly fat and stubborn weight gain often start in your gut, not your willpower
• What "microdosing GLP-1s" actually means, the real dose ranges, and who it may help
• Why recurring "UTIs" in perimenopause are sometimes due to estrogen deficiency, not infection
• How your gut bacteria change the way your body metabolizes estrogen and thyroid hormone
• The fasting insulin test most doctors skip, and exactly what to ask for at your next appointment

Listen to this next:

Ep #195: GLP-1 and Muscle Loss in Perimenopause: What to Eat to Protect It with Natalie Bean: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ep-195-glp-1-and-muscle-loss-in-perimenopause-what-to

Chapters: 

0:00 Why your gut controls your hormones in perimenopause
3:31 What damaged your gut before perimenopause: birth, antibiotics, everyday meds
9:37 The "UTI" that isn't: estrogen deficiency vs infection
13:20 Good vs bad bacteria: inflammation, thyroid, and estrogen
19:14 Insulin, cortisol, and the "metabolic dumpster fire"
28:14 How to lower insulin without "eat less, move more"
35:33 Microdosing GLP-1s for PMOS: the actual doses
42:06 PMOS, medical gaslighting, and the 103 symptoms doctors miss
46:51 How Dr. Cassie works with patients + where to find her

Learn more about Dr. Cassie Smith here: https://www.modern-endocrine.com/

Dr. Cassie Smith's Book: Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones: The Critical Connection Your Doctor Is Missing… And Why You Still Feel Terrible Despite “Normal” Labs https://amzn.to/44GLALR

Educational only, not medical advice. Dr. Smith's GLP-1 dosing reflects her clinical practice and is individualized for each patient. Talk to your own provider before changing anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Have you spent your whole life saying yes when you meant no? You are not alone, and midlife might be the best time yet to change that. 

In this episode of Menopause Reimagined, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, author, soon to be 10x published menopause researcher, educator, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, sits down with her childhood friend, Sharon Neiss-Arbess, a copywriter-turned-novelist who finally wrote the book she had been carrying around for years. They have known each other since grade five, so this one feels less like an interview and more like hanging out with two old friends over coffee.

Sharon's newest book, How I Learned to Pee in the Forest, is a collection of 18 short, true stories about everyday moments that taught her how to stand up for herself, set boundaries, and stop apologizing for taking up space. It is real talk about people-pleasing, asking for help, and giving yourself permission to start something new, no matter your age.

Topics:

• Why "no" really is a full sentence, and how to stop being a people-pleaser in midlife
• How to set boundaries without guilt (and why so many women learn this late)
• A simple bedtime habit that may help you wind down for better sleep
• What it actually takes to start something new after 40 or 50, in any area of life
• The difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing, in plain language

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: Empowering Yourself in Perimenopause and Menopause
2:30 From Sears Copywriter to Self-Published Author
7:00 The First Three Books and Where the Ideas Came From
11:30 "How I Learned to Pee in the Forest": 18 Real-Life Stories
14:30 Boundaries, People-Pleasing, and Why "No" Is a Full Sentence
18:30 Short Stories for Better Sleep at Night
21:00 Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
25:30 Why Art Can Bring People Together
29:30 Where to Find the Books + Final Thoughts

Learn more about Sharon and her books at sharonneissarbess.com

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I wore the Leela Quantum necklace for months before recording this episode because I wanted to experience it day to day before sharing it with you. I took it to California and had a really interesting experience with my daughter that I'll tell you about in this interview with Todd Shipman, a wellness entrepreneur who came into this space as a skeptic and stayed because of what he found. We explore what "quantum energy" actually means, what EMFs from your phone, car, and AirPods may be doing to your body, and how to stay both open-minded and discerning. I ask the questions you'd want answered.

What you'll learn:

• Whether "quantum energy" is woo-woo or actually rooted in real physics (and what the 2022 Nobel Prize did and didn't prove)
• Why some people wonder whether everyday EMF from phones, cars, and AirPods affects how they feel, and what the open questions are
• What Todd says his company's own testing looks at, like HRV.
• How sleep and brain fog in perimenopause relate to the nervous system, as general education
• The honest questions to ask before you spend money on any "energy" wellness product

Chapters:

0:00 Is Quantum Energy Woo Woo? Why This Isn't What You Think
3:04 Meet Todd Shipman + What Quantum Energy Actually Means
7:08 The 2022 Nobel Prize, Entanglement & Why He Tried to Debunk It
10:17 EMF and How You Might Feel: Sleep, Stress & the Questions to Ask
16:06 The Tesla Headache Story: My Daughter and the Necklace
24:12 Food Sensitivities, Structured Water & the Claims to Question
32:54 Inside the Necklace: Brass, Titanium Spheres & Frequency Recipes
42:24 Bloating, Digestion, Sleep & Wearing It Every Day
51:43 Where to Start, the Discount & Final Thoughts

Learn more about Leela Quantum.

A quick note: this is an education-first conversation, not medical advice. Todd is sharing his company's research and personal experience—nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. If you have a serious health condition or a food allergy, always work with your doctor and never substitute any wellness product for medical care or your EpiPen.

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Dry, irritated, and every lubricant burns or makes a mess? You're not alone. 91% of women say their libido changes in menopause.

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, author of Nourishing Menopause, 7x published menopause researcher and menopause educator, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, sits down with Deborah Porteous, co-founder of The Pleasure Pods Company, who hit vaginal dryness in her early 50s and couldn't find a single product that didn't irritate her, ran everywhere, or ruined the sheets. So she and her partner Brian spent two years with a formulator and a team of plant scientists building something better: a 100% plant-based solid that melts at body temperature. This is the honest, slightly cheeky conversation about dryness, painful sex, and pleasure that most of us never got to have.

Topics:

• Why vaginal dryness hits almost 40% of women in perimenopause and menopause, and why it's nothing to be embarrassed about
• The difference between a lubricant, a vaginal moisturizer, and vaginal estrogen, and why it's not either/or
• What's inside Pleasure Pods and why the solid format matters
• How women are using the pods beyond intimacy: massage oil, face, dry skin, even travel
• Why sexual wellness products for women are still so hard to advertise, and what that stigma costs us

Chapters:

0:00 How a solid-to-liquid lubricant works (cold open demo)

1:10 Libido in menopause: what almost 1,400 women told our survey

5:00 Meet Deborah Porteous and the story behind Pleasure Pods

9:30 Talking vaginal dryness on a pitch stage: the CHFA launchpad story

13:00 Why so many lubricants burn, itch, or irritate after 50

18:00 Mango, cocoa, and kokum butter: what's actually in the formula

23:30 How to use it: palms, warm massage oil, face, and dry skin

29:00 Lubricant vs vaginal moisturizer vs vaginal estrogen

35:00 Cutting a pod into pieces for overnight vaginal moisture

39:30 The stigma of marketing women's sexual wellness products

44:00 Deborah's panel podcast and where to buy Pleasure Pods

Learn more about Pleasure Pods here: https://thepleasurepods.com/

Watch the interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n1odK1pPdV8

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If you're on a GLP-1 and nobody told you how to eat on it, this one's for you. We get into it in depth.

CORRECTION: In the opening we say a GLP-1 can cost you "25 to 40 percent of your muscle mass." That's the wrong denominator. The accurate figure is that roughly 25 to 40 percent of the weight you lose can come from lean mass, not 25 to 40 percent of the muscle you have. Natalie's nutrition advice in the rest of the interview is based on the correct figure.

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, bestselling author of Nourishing Menopause, 7x published menopause researcher, menopause educator, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, sits down with nutrition and fitness coach Natalie Bean, who is GLP-1 certified and has spent 31 years helping people change how they eat. If you're taking Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Wegovy, thinking about it, or you just want to take back control with food, Natalie walks through what actually protects your body. Spoiler: protein is not optional, and the scale is not the whole story.

What you'll learn:

• Why roughly 25 to 40 percent of the weight you lose on a GLP-1 can be lean mass, and how to push back with food
• How much protein women in perimenopause and menopause really need (and why it climbs on a GLP-1)
• Whether you'll gain the weight back when you stop, and what a maintenance dose actually does
• The GLP-1 side effects nobody warns you about, from dry mouth to constipation to brittle bones
• Why cardio is not the enemy, and where strength training and cortisol fit in

Chapters

0:00 GLP-1 and muscle loss: the Mayo Clinic stat that stopped me

0:48 Meet Natalie Bean and who GLP-1 meds are really for

4:45 Food noise, sugar cravings, and insulin resistance after 40

9:45 Do you gain the weight back after stopping a GLP-1?

14:10 How much protein you actually need on a GLP-1

19:40 GLP-1 side effects: dry mouth, digestion, bones, dehydration

25:10 Fiber, constipation, and eating every 2 to 3 hours

30:10 Why consistency beats variety when you start over

35:10 Cortisol, cardio vs strength, and non-negotiable supplements

Listen to this next:

Tired of Fighting Food Cravings? Try This Instead: https://youtu.be/2PQxAbnll8s

Work with Natalie: https://nutritionforeverinc.com/

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If you have been watching the GLP-1 conversation explode and quietly wondering if there is another way, this one is for you. Andrea sits down with Sarah Kennedy, founder and CEO of Calocurb, for an honest, science-forward talk about appetite, cravings, and why our relationship with food shifts in perimenopause and menopause. Sarah explains why hunger is biology rather than a willpower problem, and how Calocurb uses a hops extract from New Zealand research to gently support your own natural appetite hormones. It is not a pitch for a magic pill, just a grounded look at one more option so you can decide what is right for you and your body.

Topics Covered

• Why weight and appetite feel so different in perimenopause and menopause
• The willpower myth, and why hunger is biology, not a personal failing
• What GLP-1s are in plain English, and why everyone is talking about them
• Where Calocurb came from, and the New Zealand science behind it
• How a natural, hops-based option is different from the injections
• What it is actually like to use day to day
• What the research has shown so far
• A straight answer on the canola oil question
• Sarah's honest story of making peace with food
• Why this is one tool, not a magic fix

Use this link to save on Calocurb: https://www.calocurb.com/morphus

Chapters

0:00 At peace with food (promo)
0:50 Welcome and who is Andrea Donsky
1:46 Meet Sarah Kennedy, and life in New Zealand
3:24 What is a GLP-1, and why it is everywhere
5:59 Satiety hormones and what shifts in perimenopause
6:52 Willpower is a misnomer: the physiology of hunger
9:46 The Calocurb origin story: New Zealand government science
11:53 Bitter taste receptors all the way down the gut
13:20 1,000 extracts tested, and why hops won
14:46 The first human clinical: a 600% hormone increase
15:57 How it compares to semaglutide and Ozempic
16:59 How to take it: timing, empty stomach, and onboarding
19:10 Why it is considered gentle on the body
20:27 Building a routine and intermittent fasting
21:24 Can you take it with your medications
22:23 Side effects, bloating, and what they actually mean
23:37 Gastroparesis: how it differs from the synthetics
24:59 The clinical studies, including a women-only trial
28:11 Blood sugar, insulin resistance, and the newest trial
29:25 A message for women gaining weight in midlife
30:41 Sarah's personal story with food
32:45 Age limits and adolescent research
33:33 Do you take it forever, and the weight-regain question
36:44 The canola oil question, answered transparently
39:54 Hops and estrogen: is there an effect
41:08 Where to find Calocurb
42:13 A tool in the toolkit
43:12 Closing thoughts and how you can help

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Andrea Donsky is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist with over 20 years of experience in health and wellness, a published menopause researcher, and the founder of Morphus. She is the author of Nourishing Menopause (Simon and Schuster) and Unjunk Your Junk Food, and the host of the Menopause Reimagined podcast, where she shares the latest science, real-talk strategies, and tools to help women thrive through perimenopause and menopause.

Andrea shares her own perimenopause story, the messages from readers that brought her to tears, and the work still ahead for menopause education and care. If you have ever wondered "what is happening to me," this one is for you.

In this episode:

• The emotional reality behind a bestseller
• Why women bought this book so fast, and the education gap it closes
• Andrea's own search for answers in perimenopause
• The tools in the toolbox: nutrition, lifestyle, supplements, mindset, exercise, and hormones, if you choose that path
• A reminder that your voice, your experience, and your health all matter

Get the book and join the community at wearemorphus.com. If it helped you, please leave a review so another woman can find it too.

Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4r2IDz3 

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/4rFj7jk 

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Andrea Donsky is a registered holistic nutritionist with 20+ years of experience, a published menopause researcher, the co- founder of Morphus, the host of this podcast, Menopause Reimagined, and the author of Nourishing Menopause (Simon & Schuster) and Unjunk Your Junk Food.

In this episode, Andrea sits down with Dr. Amie Hornaman, "The Thyroid Fixer," to unpack what happens to your thyroid in perimenopause and menopause. If you've been told your labs are "normal," but you still feel exhausted, foggy, freezing cold, and like your body isn't your own, this conversation is for you. Dr. Amie introduces a term every woman over 40 should know: thyropause.

What you'll learn:

• Why so many perimenopause symptoms are actually undiagnosed thyroid issues
• What thyropause is and why Hashimoto's often switches on after 40
• The five thyroid labs to ask your doctor for (and what to do if they refuse)
• Why T4-only medications like Synthroid may not be enough on their own
• How to find a provider who actually understands thyroid hormone replacement

Chapters:

0:00   Why your thyroid tanks after 40 (thyropause explained)
2:00   Welcome back to Menopause Reimagined & meet Dr. Amie Hornaman
5:10   What the thyroid actually does (from hair loss to heart rate)
8:45   Hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism: which one hits women hardest
12:00  Thyropause: the perimenopause and Hashimoto's connection
16:15  1 in 8 women? Why the real number is closer to 1 in 4
19:25  Medically gaslit: Andrea's story of being dismissed by her doctor
23:40  The thyroid tests your doctor probably isn't ordering (TSH, free T3, reverse T3, TPO, TG)
28:30  T3 vs T4: why Synthroid alone may not be enough
33:45  Why you can stay on thyroid medication for life (and why that's okay)
38:10  Finding the right dose: the trial-and-error reality
42:25  Inside The Thyroid Fix book and Fixer Formulas supplements
47:00  Where to find Dr. Amie and grab the book

Links:

The Thyroid Fix: The No-Nonsense Guide to Fix Fatigue, Fogginess, and Fat That Won't Budge https://amzn.to/3Prfxvr

Learn more about Dr. Amie Hornaman here: https://dramie.com/

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Andrea Donsky is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist with over 20 years of experience in health & wellness, a published menopause researcher, and the founder of Morphus. She is the author of Nourishing Menopause (Simon and Schuster) and Unjunk Your Junk Food, and the host of the Menopause Reimagined podcast, where she shares the latest science, real-talk strategies, and tools to help women thrive through perimenopause and menopause.

If you've ever been told it's just stress, just aging, or just in your head, this episode and Andrea's new book are what you've been waiting for.

In this very personal solo episode, Andrea shares the story behind her brand-new book, "Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best." After 14 years in perimenopause (11 of them not even knowing it), she knew women like us deserved better. This book is the roadmap she wished existed when she was sitting on her couch, counting hot flashes or Googling symptoms at 3 AM.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The 103+ symptoms of perimenopause and menopause your doctor probably never mentioned
• Why phantom smells, anxiety, and digestive issues are often hormonal (not "in your head")
• The 17 reasons women gain weight in midlife (and why eating less isn't the answer)
• Andrea's personal story with anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, PTSD, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• Why weight training matters more than cardio and how to start 

Chapters: 

0:00 Why I Wrote Nourishing Menopause 

1:30 The 103+ Symptoms Most Women Never Hear 

3:10 Phantom Smells and Symptoms Doctors Dismiss 

4:50 Why 1 in 5 Women Doesn't Know Her Stage 

6:35 17 Real Reasons We Gain Weight 

8:50 Stress, Anxiety, and Hashimoto's 

11:15 Sleep, Protein, and Hormone-Supportive Eating 

13:25 Why Weight Training Is Queen

Get your copy of Nourishing Menopause here: www.nourishingmenopausebook.com

Download the resources mentioned in the book: https://wearemorphus.com/pages/book-resources  

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You walked out of another appointment feeling unheard. Here's how to flip the next one. 

In this week's episode of Menopause Reimagined, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, published menopause researcher, educator, author, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, sits down with Shirley Weir, founder of Menopause Chicks and one of the original voices in the menopause conversation. Shirley has spent over a decade moderating questions from a community of more than 60,000 women, and she's distilled what she's learned into a practical framework called Script Tips, designed to help you stop being dismissed at the doctor's office and start getting the answers you actually need. 

This is the conversation every woman in perimenopause and menopause needs before her next appointment. 

What you'll learn: 

• Why over half of women leave their health appointments feeling dismissed (and the two reasons they went in the first place)
• Shirley's Script Tips framework: the exact language to use when you walk into the room
• Why "impact" is the single most important word you can say to your doctor
• What's actually covered under Canada's new menopause hormone therapy Pharmacare program (BC and Manitoba launched March 2026)
• How preventing UTIs in menopause may help reduce dementia misdiagnoses

Chapters:

0:00 Why Women Feel Dismissed at Doctor Visits in Perimenopause 

3:15 How Shirley Weir Built Menopause Chicks (And Why It Started in 2012) 

8:00 Why "Doctor Google" Wasn't Enough: The Information Gap 

12:30 Speak Menopause: Why the Right Vocabulary Changes Everything 

17:00 Don't Blame Everything on Perimenopause (Phantom Smells, Swelling, More)

21:30 Script Tips: The Method That Flips Your Doctor Appointment 

28:30 The Impact Statement: The One Thing Most Women Forget to Say 

34:00 Free Menopause Hormone Therapy in Canada: BC and Manitoba Pharmacare 

39:30 UTI Prevention in Postmenopause (And the Dementia Connection) 

43:30 Tell Three People: The Grassroots Movement Changing Menopause

🌐 Connect with Shirley Weir at Menopause Chicks: https://menopausechicks.com 📱 Find Shirley on social: @menopausechicks 

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You used to digest everything. Now a salad wrecks you. If perimenopause changed your gut overnight, this one's for you.

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, published menopause researcher, menopause educator, author, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com sits down with nurse practitioner and bestselling author Cynthia Thurlow to unpack the gut-hormone connection nobody warned us about. Cynthia's brand new book, The Menopause Gut (out April 28), is the paradigm-shifting guide to why 94% of perimenopausal women suddenly have digestive issues, and what to actually do about it.

What you'll learn:

• Why you can't digest food properly if you're stressed (and the 4-breath trick that changes it)
• What the estrobolome is and how it's recycling your estrogen in ways that make bloating worse
• The fiber mistake that's making your gut feel worse, not better
• Why your gut suddenly looks more like a man's after menopause
• How PCOS and perimenopause collide (and why it's not "over" when your period stops)
• The difference between intermittent fasting and "digestive rest" and which one works better in midlife

Chapters:

0:00 Cynthia's Morocco Story: When Perimenopause Broke Her Gut 

2:10 Why Gut Health Gets Worse in Perimenopause and Menopause 

6:32 Digestion Starts in the Brain: The Parasympathetic Connection 

11:10 Estrogen, Histamine, and Why You Suddenly React to Foods 

15:58 Postbiotics 101: Butyrate, Urolithin A, and Short-Chain Fatty Acids 

21:30 Fiber, Bloating, and Why You Can't Just Jump to 30 Grams a Day 

26:15 The Gut-Bone Connection Nobody Talks About 

29:58 Sleep, Stress, and the Cortisol-Constipation Loop 

34:42 The Vagus Nerve: Your Gut-Brain Superhighway 

39:00 Intermittent Fasting vs Digestive Rest: What Changed Her Mind 

42:50 PCOS, Insulin Resistance, and Menopause: The Missing Conversation 

46:40 Where to Find Cynthia and The Menopause Gut Book

📖 Get Cynthia's new book The Menopause Gut (out April 28): https://amzn.to/4r2IDz3

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In this interview, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, published menopause researcher, menopause educator, author, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, discusses PCOS and HRT with Dr. Felice Gersh, an integrative gynecologist and women’s health expert specializing in hormones, menopause, and the connection between lifestyle and hormonal balance.

Topics:

• Going back to basics with menstruation, periods, cycles, and PCOS.
• How the female moon rhythm relates to all body systems and hormonal cycles, not just fertility and reproduction, including metabolic and immune functions.
• The connection between PCOS and inflammation. 
• Why having an imbalance of estradiol (deficient), progesterone (deficient), and progesterone (too abundant) creates a cascade of health issues, including but not limited to insulin resistance and high blood pressure, as well as accelerated aging and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, etc.
• It's not all bad news; by cycling hormones at physiological doses (equivalent to a younger woman), many chronic health conditions can be prevented or delayed.
• Discussion around GLP-1 and estradiol, as well as fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
• Windows of time where hormone replacement can and should happen, and how the data from the Women's Health Initiative is still skewing the data for these recommendations.
• Why Prempro is still dangerous despite the removal of the black label warning on hormone therapy.
• What you need to know about bleeding and HRT.

Links:

Learn more about Dr. Felice Gersh's Practice, Integrative Medical Group of Irvine https://integrativemgi.com/

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In this interview, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, published menopause researcher, menopause educator, author, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, discusses the challenges women face in the workplace during perimenopause and menopause with Lisa Boate, a menopause consultant, workplace educator, and host of the Transforming 45 podcast. 

Topics:

• Lisa's journey from educator to menopause coach.
• The cost to businesses and organizations of losing female "assets" during perimenopause and menopause.
• When we are in perimenopause and menopause, our ability to handle stress isn't what it used to be, and tips for setting boundaries to help us.
• Changing the shoulds and expectations we were raised with.
• How a coach can help you move through the overwhelm of making decisions about big changes in your life.
• Understanding the ways in which we can impact the world without feeling frustrated that we aren't enough.
• Reflecting on who we want to be in the next phase of our lives.
• Pushing for policy change in businesses and organizations, so we don't have to advocate for ourselves when we're already feeling overwhelmed.
• Building alliances with male leadership.
• Creating open dialogue in our personal relationships, marriages, and relationships with our children, because these types of communications often weren't modeled for us in our families.
• Providing education on perimenopause and menopause as part of the high school curriculum is particularly important. 

Learn more about Lisa Boate at https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca/

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Has your libido disappeared? You're not alone. Listen to this interview to learn why and what you can do about it.

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, published menopause researcher, menopause educator, author, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, interviews Dr. Diane Mueller. Dr. Mueller is a naturopathic doctor and board-certified sexologist with two doctoral degrees and over 15 years of clinical experience helping more than 30,000 couples restore libido and intimacy. She founded the Hot and Modern Monogamy Club, wrote Want to Want It, and hosts the Libido Lounge podcast.

Topics:

• Breaking the taboo around pain, pleasure, and desire in perimenopause and menopause
• The importance of pleasure, desire, and why they are essential for overall well-being
• Keeping excitement alive in long-term and monogamous relationships 
• Questioning traditional vs open relationship models and how communication makes them work
• How to express your needs clearly in a relationship
• The impact of physical, personal, and interpersonal factors on libido
• Key differences in arousal and desire between men and women
• Why women need to feel “in their bodies” and the role of foreplay in arousal
• Practical libido support strategies, habits, and prioritization
• Approaching communication without blame, shame, or pressure
• The evolution of relationships and intimacy across different life stages
• Reintroducing play, removing expectations, and reducing pressure around sex
• Physical changes, including circulation, pelvic floor health, and tissue health
• Interstitial cystitis symptoms and their impact on intimacy

Learn more about Dr. Diane Mueller here.

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So many symptoms in perimenopause and menopause can be traced back to hormones, including sex hormones and the thyroid. In this episode, we take a deep dive into thyroid health and PCOS, and we touch on bone health. Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, published menopause researcher, menopause educator, author of Nourishing Menopause, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, interviews with Dr. Damola Aje, a board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in PCOS, thyroid disorders, and menopause.

Topics:

• Thyroid Problems in Women - Thyroid problems in women can show up as fatigue, weight changes, feeling cold, dry skin, and low energy, especially during perimenopause and menopause. These symptoms are often mistaken for hormonal changes, which is why comprehensive thyroid testing beyond TSH is important.
• PCOS in Perimenopause and Menopause - PCOS in perimenopause and menopause remains a lifelong metabolic and hormonal condition, often linked to androgen imbalance, acne, hair thinning, and facial hair. Lean PCOS is also common and frequently overlooked.
• Insulin Resistance in Midlife Women - Insulin resistance in perimenopause and menopause is a key driver of PCOS, contributing to weight gain, stubborn belly fat, blood sugar imbalance, and metabolic dysfunction. Exercise supports glucose control and helps preserve muscle mass during aging.
• Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms in Women - Symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep, and heart palpitations can overlap between thyroid disorders, PCOS, and menopause, making hormonal imbalance in women harder to identify and often dismissed.
• Menopause Treatment and Hormone Support Options - Menopause treatment options may include hormone replacement therapy for hot flashes and night sweats, along with bone health support and proactive testing. Self-advocacy is key to getting proper diagnosis and care.

Follow Dr. Aje @hormoneswithdrdamijey

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Our Morphus research shows that 66% of perimenopausal and menopausal women feel more stressed and less able to cope with daily pressures than they did before entering this stage of life. 

In this episode, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, published menopause researcher, menopause educator, author, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com sits down with mentor Lisa Borden. Lisa is a business development consultant and founder of Borden Communications + Design Inc. She’s also an author, speaker, and creator of The Wellness Intelligence Collective.

They discuss how to reframe our lives by ditching rigid rules and finding curiosity-driven solutions for purpose, connection, and kindness.

Topics

• The Open Nest Transition
  A fresh way to think about the so-called “empty nest,” as children move in and out of our lives and create space for you to reconnect with yourself.
• The Freedom of Unmeditation
  Peace doesn't require a lotus pose or perfect stillness. Presence and breath connection can happen while lying down, walking, or moving through daily life.
• Self-Care Snacks
  Simple, doable two-minute practices, from unmeditation to gentle movement, can help regulate your nervous system and bring more calm into your day.
• Spotting Healthwashing
  How to look beyond polished marketing and identify products that truly prioritize wellness, integrity, and quality.
• Empathy Economics
  Lisa’s approach to conscious consumerism, rooted in understanding the story, values, and impact behind the products we choose.
• Building Community Through The Wellness Intelligence Collective (TWIC)
  Creating meaningful connection, shared learning, and support for women seeking a more informed wellness journey.
• The Power of Coopetition
  Why supporting, celebrating, and elevating other women creates stronger businesses, stronger communities, and greater collective impact.
• A Beginner’s Mindset
  Being willing to learn, unlearn, and start where you are is often the first step toward meaningful change in your health and your life.

Links

• The Wellness Intelligence Collective (TWIC) https://www.thewellnessintelligencecollective.com/ 

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Do you know your true purpose? Many women in this phase of life are pulled in so many directions by family obligations, careers, and everything else on their plates. The stress can be a lot, and as we enter perimenopause and menopause, we're less able to cope with it.

In this interview, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, published menopause researcher, menopause educator, author, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, talks with Kerstin Lindquist, an Emmy Award–winning journalist, certified health coach, keynote speaker, and Christian author who blends health science with biblical truth to help individuals and organizations thrive in faith, wellness, and purpose.

You'll come away with greater clarity on your purpose, as well as tips for sleep, handling stress, and taking care of yourself in the middle of it all.

Topics:

• Identity, purpose, and calling in midlife - How many women begin rethinking who they are and what they want the next chapter of life to be.

• Understanding your core values - Learning to recognize what truly matters to you and what doesn’t.

• Legacy vs. reputation - The difference between what you want your legacy to be and what people may currently know you for, and how that insight can help guide your calling.

• How the brain changes in perimenopause and menopause - Why cognitive and hormonal shifts can lead to deeper reflection about purpose, priorities, and the impact you want to have on others.

• Using your purpose as a filter for life decisions - How aligning decisions with your values can help create clarity in relationships, career choices, and daily life.

• Letting go of people-pleasing - Why midlife often brings a shift toward stronger boundaries and a willingness to create a new direction for yourself.

• Stop forcing and start listening - Learning to notice where your life naturally flows instead of constantly pushing against resistance.

• Stress, lifestyle, and their impact on health and cognition - How chronic stress and daily habits can affect brain health, energy, and long-term wellbeing.

• Practical coping tools for this phase of life - Rest, breathwork, meditation, downtime, movement, and prioritizing sleep.

• Progress over perfection - Why it’s important to keep practicing healthy habits even when you don’t do them perfectly.

• Protecting brain health as we age - The importance of vision, hearing, and balance for long-term cognitive health and longevity.

• Alcohol and hormone therapy - What to consider when it comes to alcohol consumption during midlife and menopause treatment.

Links:

Kerstin's website: https://www.kerstin-lindquist.com/

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Are you a tea drinker? We do! It offers many health benefits and is a great way to increase your water intake and hydration during perimenopause and menopause.

In this interview, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, published menopause researcher, menopause educator, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, talks with Cindi Bigelow, the third-generation President and CEO of Bigelow Tea, the family-owned American tea company founded in 1945. 

She helped transform the brand from a traditional grocery-store staple into a modern wellness-focused tea company, expanding into specialty blends, green teas, and functional teas while keeping the business privately held and family-run. 

Topics:

• Bigelow & Integrity: The company is a third-generation, family- and women-owned business founded by Cindi Bigelow’s grandmother in 1945 with the iconic Constant Comment tea. Its focus has always been on mission and quality, not just profit.
• Quality: Bigelow tests its teas for nearly 500 pesticides to ensure the final product is clean. Additionally, every tea bag undergoes 26 checks before reaching the store shelf.
• Debunking the Plastic Tea Bag Scare: The most common type of tea bag used in the U.S., such as Bigelow's double-chamber, non-heat-sealed bag, contains no plastic; it's made from wood pulp and abaca. The misinformation circulating often shows the wrong kind of tea bags.
• Foil is the Secret to Freshness: Bigelow invented the individual foil pouch because it is the only way to protect the volatile oils in tea, which make the tea healthy and flavorful, from degrading for up to three years.
• Loose Tea is a Trade-Off: While loose tea provides a "beautiful experience," it oxidizes and degrades more quickly when exposed to air, light, and moisture.
• Hydration is Critical for Menopause: For women in perimenopause and menopause, staying well-hydrated is essential for maintaining energy, supporting brain and skin health, reducing inflammation, and aiding digestion.
• Making Water Easier to Drink: Bigelow’s Botanicals Cold Water Infusion line was created because many people, including the CEO herself, don't enjoy drinking plain water; these bags gently infuse cold water with natural flavors, making hydration simple.
• Longevity: The Bigelow family members are avid tea drinkers, sometimes enjoying up to 10 cups a day, and have enjoyed long lives; her mother is 97, and her grandfather lived to 103. Tea could be part of that longevity.

Explore a wide variety of Green, Black, and Herbal Teas, as well as Bigelow's Botanical Infusions. https://bit.ly/4kFzfyJ 

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Leaking urine? Painful sex? Constipation? TMJ? Back Pain?

They can all be related to the musculoskeletal or genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Simply, tightness and/or dysfunction in the pelvic floor.

In this interview, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, published menopause researcher, author, menopause educator, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, talks with Jana Danielson, a wellness entrepreneur, Pilates educator, and creator of the Cooch Ball pelvic floor training tool.

Topics:

• Pelvic Health and the Body's Connection: The discussion of how the pelvic floor is an integrated structure, not a standalone group of muscles.
• The Pelvic Floor and Core: The interview explains the anatomy of the pelvic floor and how it can function optimally (watch it on YouTube for visuals).
• The Importance of Breathing and Posture: A core theme is that breathing is the most fundamental pelvic floor strategy, and optimal posture is also key to pelvic floor function.
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Misconceptions: Jana challenges the belief that dysfunction is "normal" during aging, stating that "common is not normal." Stressing that a too-tight (hypertonic) muscle is just as dysfunctional as a weak one.
• The Cooch Ball and the Release-Rebuild Method: The Cooch Ball method focuses on 30 days of "release only" to promote blood flow to the tissue, followed by a rebuild phase using exercises that integrate the pelvic floor with other muscles in the body.
• Impact on Libido and Orgasm: Andrea and Jana discuss how improving blood flow and releasing tension in the pelvic tissues can increase libido and the ability to have pleasure.
• The Pudendal Nerve and Shame: The Latin root of the word "pudendal" means "an area of shame", and this emotional context is connected to the lack of discussion and understanding of pelvic health.

Links:

Cooch Ball for Menopause: https://bit.ly/4kNiWQF 
Cooch Ball for Perimenopause: https://bit.ly/4tOmA0z
Cooch Ball for Intimacy: https://bit.ly/3OoBg6A
Cooch Ball For Women: https://bit.ly/4qGRF3O
Cooch Ball For Men: https://bit.ly/402Arme (great for men experiencing erectile dysfunction or dribbling)

Pelvic Health Survey: https://forms.gle/RXM4BpFLtgP5m8nD9 

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In this episode of Menopause Re-Imagined, host Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, published menopause researcher, author, menopause educator and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, and guest Dr. Emaline Brown, a licensed naturopathic doctor and Clinical Lab Educator at Vibrant Wellness, discuss why women in perimenopause and menopause should consider functional medicine testing, emphasizing the saying, "don't guess, test". 

Topics Covered:

Hormone Testing Types: Traditional blood tests, saliva tests, and urine tests.

Cortisol and Stress (HPA Axis): For assessing the "get up and go signal" and stress responses.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and Obesogens: What they are and why we should avoid them.

Estrogen Detoxification: The different pathways for estrogen detoxification or removal, and how to support them with nutrition and supplements.

Micronutrients and Omega-3 Index Testing: The importance of micronutrients, like minerals (i.e,. magnesium) and balancing omegas for overall wellness.

The Gut-Hormone Connection: The factor that can "pull the anchor" off estrogen that was meant for excretion, causing it to keep circulating and leading to estrogen dominance.

Links from the Show

Access to Testing: Vibrant Wellness tests must be ordered through a healthcare practitioner. A provider directory is available for patients seeking a qualified professional.

FOR PROVIDERS: HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A VIBRANT ACCOUNT https://vibrant-wellness.com/for-providers 

FOR PATIENTS: HOW TO FIND A PROVIDER https://directory.vibrant-wellness.com/? 

Tara Scott Interview https://youtu.be/_hdj8kTVlTs

Endocrine Disruptors with Leah Segedie: 

• Part 1: https://youtu.be/OG_r4S8ngy8
• Part 2: https://youtu.be/WN99e-FffZc
• Part 3: https://youtu.be/kBfVO22R7j4

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On Menopause Reimagined, your host, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, author, menopause researcher, educator, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, is joined by Dr. James Simon, a board-certified OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and clinical professor at George Washington University. He’s the only physician to have served as president of both The Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and is the author of Restore Yourself: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life.

Topics

Sexual Health Survey Results: Nearly 1,300 women shared their experiences: 91% reported lower libido, 66% had more difficulty orgasming, and 83% had talked to someone about it, echoing what many women share online.

Why Desire Drops (and Why You’re Not Alone): Why libido changes in perimenopause and menopause likely affect most women, and how relationships can help sustain, but not fully protect, sexual desire.

When Sex Hurts (and Nobody Talks About It): Why he likes to see couples together and how painful sex can lead to rejection, resentment, and misunderstanding when it’s not addressed.

Why Common Advice Feels So Dismissive: “Use lube,” “have a date night,” “just do it,” “try a vibrator,” or “maybe you’re depressed” are the go‑to lines many women are tired of. Dr. Simon unpacks why this misses the root causes and reminds us that desire starts in the mind, not just the body.

Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire: Many women worry that something is “wrong” when spontaneous desire fades. Dr. Simon explains why responsive desire often remains and how understanding this shift can be a huge relief.

Hormone Testing & Therapy: What to actually ask for: thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, vitamin D, and B12. Plus, why testosterone matters, how levels change with age, and why access looks different across countries.

Non‑Hormonal Treatment Options: A clear look at Addyi (flibanserin) and Vyleesi (bremelanotide): how they work, who they’re for, and what to realistically expect.

It’s Not Just Hormones, It’s the Relationship: Speaking to common pain points: feeling unseen, disconnected, or “touched out.” Depression, anxiety, and relationship conflict must be addressed; no dose of hormones can fix an unhappy partnership.

Real‑World Tips for Long‑Term Couples: Practical ideas women say they want: using lubricants and vibrators without shame, slowing down, adding novelty, sharing fantasies safely, and using “I” language to improve communication and intimacy.

Connect With Dr. Simon: IntimMedicine.com

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Struggling with debilitating anxiety? Doctors are telling you that you're okay when you know you aren't. Not sleeping? We want you to know, you're NOT crazy!

On this episode of Menopause Reimagined, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, author of Nourishing Menopause (May 2026), and co-founder of WeAreMorphus.com, interviews Patrice Lockhart, the Caribbean's first certified menopause health and wellness coach and founder of Menopause Survival Care. She uses her personal eight-year struggle with undiagnosed severe menopausal symptoms to advocate for women and guide them through a powerful midlife transformation.

Topics:

• The Emotional and Mental Work of Menopause
• Patrice's Personal Struggle: How she became the Caribbean's first certified menopause health and wellness coach.
• Menopause as a Metamorphosis/Cocoon
• Menopause as a Mirror for Trauma
• Challenging the Legacy of Secrecy
• Post-Menopausal Power

Links:

Website: www.menopausesurvivalcare.com

Menopause As Metamorphosis - What The Butterfly Knew: Menopause Relief & Transformation for Women Over 40: Self Help For Midlife Renewal, Emotional & ... for women going through the transition: https://amzn.to/4pSiAsU 

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Are you considering GLP-1 medications? Are you currently taking them? You're going to want to watch this interview.

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, author, and co-founder of WeAreMorphus.com, welcomes acclaimed weight health expert and Registered Dietitian, Ashley Koff, to discuss how personalized nutrition, focusing on how women in perimenopause and menopause can achieve "weight health", a concept that breaks up with traditional weight loss. 

Ashley Koff's new book, Your Best Shot: A Personalized System for Optimal Weight Health, GLP-1 Shot or Not, explains the profound link between overall health signals and weight. 

Topics:

• GLP-1 Medications in Menopause: The Shot or Not?
• What Micro-Dosing GLP-1 means.
• The reality of GLP-1 Success & Failure, and understanding the underlying reasons why success is individualized.
• Addressing Common Pain Points & Misconceptions (The Side Effects) like muscle loss or muscle wasting, constipation and digestive challenges, and weight regain after GLP-1.
• The Path to Weight Health (Ashley Koff's System) and why it's important to budget for it
• Why detox pathways are key to the success of any weight loss/weight healthy program for women in perimenopause and menopause. 

Links:

Your Best Shot: A Personalized System for Optimal Weight Health, GLP-1 Shot or Not: https://thebetternutritionprogram.com/your-best-shot/

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Join Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, author, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, and her guest, Jen Aks for another inspiring episode. Jen is a TEDx-speaker, dance educator and creator of The Power of Gesture®, a bodyset practice that bridges thought and embodied wisdom to cultivate courageous, authentic leadership.

On this episode of Menopause Reimagined, Andrea and Jen explore the power of our inner guidance system and embark on a journey of self-reflection. They discuss the importance of personal growth and self-improvement to help you cultivate greater self-awareness and overall wellness.

Topics:

• The concept of inner wisdom and its importance in recognizing personal power and intelligence.
• The exploration of different types of intelligence.
• The impact of societal expectations on personal disconnection and self-perception.
• The significance of emotional intelligence in understanding and managing emotions.
• The role of kinesthetic intelligence in learning and expressing knowledge through the body.
• An introduction to "The Power of Gesture" as a practice to connect with inner wisdom.
• Steps involved in the "RESET" practice for emotional regulation and self-awareness.
• The benefits of calming the nervous system and creating a sense of safety within oneself.
• The importance of self-reflection and setting intentions for personal growth.
• The value of curiosity and continuous learning in accessing one's authentic self.

Jen's Website: https://jenaks.com/

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If you have concerns or you're confused about whether hormone therapy is right for you, then this interview is for you.

Your host, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, interviews Dr. Tara Scott, an OB/GYN-turned integrative and functional medicine specialist focused on evidence-based hormone therapy and menopause care. They debunk common myths, explain the real risks and benefits of different hormone options, and stress the importance of individualized care. The episode offers reassurance and practical guidance.

Topics:

• The 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study caused confusion about hormone therapy, but newer research shows it is safer and more beneficial, especially when started early in menopause.
• Modern hormone therapy with bioidentical hormones like estrogen patches and progesterone pills can alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep problems, and brain fog, and may also benefit bone and heart health.
• Not all hormone therapies are equal: pills carry higher risks like blood clots, while patches and topical methods are safer and align more naturally with your body.
• Birth control pills and IUDs are not true hormone replacements; they contain different progestins that don’t mimic natural hormones and may cause side effects.
• Most women can safely use hormone therapy, even after some cancers. Few health conditions exclude hormone use, so consult a healthcare provider for a personalized review.
• Vaginal estrogen treats local symptoms like dryness, while DHEA is a safe option for some women, including breast cancer survivors, to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
• Get full, personalized information about your options and don’t accept a simple “no” from your provider about hormone therapy.

If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and struggling with symptoms, there ARE updated and safer hormone therapy options available—don’t be afraid to ask!

Links:

Dr. Tara Scott's website: https://drtarascott.com/

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Are you ready to take control of both your financial future and your physical well-being? 

In this interview, Andrea Donsky speaks with Nancy Griffin, the President and Founder of Women Worth and Wellness. Nancy is committed to helping women elevate their health and financial independence because she believes that health and wealth go "hand in hand". Nancy's work is driven by a focus on helping women balance their health and wealth, enhance both their net worth and self-worth, and establish their philanthropic legacy.

Topics

• Why women are often discouraged from taking control of their investment portfolios, and how to stop "allowing it to happen".
• The surprising way menopause symptoms can affect your financial life, including your career trajectory, or potentially cause you to be "rated" (charged a higher premium) for life insurance.
• The crucial advice Nancy, a former wealth advisor, gives for finding a trustworthy financial advisor who cares about your best interests.
• Why legacy planning and philanthropy are essential for end-of-life planning.
• How to speak to family members about your wishes and plans.

Learn more: https://womenworthwellness.com/

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Do you suffer from invisible "pain" like anxiety, depression, or vertigo? This interview is for you.

Andrea Donsky and guest Helene Beck offer hopeful tips for women navigating mental health challenges during perimenopause and menopause. They share personal stories of overcoming anxiety, vertigo, and stress, emphasizing the power of mindset, daily self-care, and seeking support.

Topics:

• Mental health challenges during perimenopause and menopause.
• The prevalence of cognitive-related symptoms in women during this transitional phase.
• The stigma surrounding mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression.
• The importance of open discussions about mental health and menopause.
• Gaps in healthcare provider education regarding mental health in menopause.
• The role of lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, supplements) in managing symptoms.
• Helene's personal experiences with vertigo and its impact on mental health.
• The significance of community and support networks for women.
• Easy strategies for self-care, mindset, and emotional regulation.
• The need for ongoing education and advocacy for women's mental health during menopause.

Links:

U.S.A.: Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best: Preorder here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Nourishing-Menopause/Andrea-Donsky/9781668061541

CANADA: Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best: Preorder here: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Nourishing-Menopause/Andrea-Donsky/9781668061541

Coming From the Heart Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-from-the-heart/id1517866291

Feeling Overwhelmed? Boost Your Motivation & Focus with These Tips with Lisa Borden: https://youtu.be/M2FQXJ-P8hY

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Has you're period changed recently? Has it ghosted you some months and showed up twice in others? The interview will help you understand why.

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com chats with Alyx Coble Frakes, founder and CEO of The Agenda., a femtech platform that helps women and people with cycles align work and life with their hormonal rhythms for clearer focus, better communication, and sustainable performance during perimenopause.

Topics:

• The importance of cycle tracking, recognizing hormonal shifts, managing symptoms, and the value of community support. 
• How women are four different women at different phases of their cycle.
• Encouraging women to embrace their biology, seek community support, and advocate for themselves in healthcare settings.
• Listeners are reminded: your cycle is a source of wisdom and strength, not shame, knowledge and self-care can transform your journey at any age.

Learn more: https://www.theagendaperiod.com/ 

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Are you having trouble managing stress? Are you experiencing sleep disturbances in perimenopause and menopause? In this interview, you'll learn why this is happening and what to do about it.

Join Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, published menopause researcher, and menopause educator, and co-founder of WeAreMorphus.com, and her guest Justin Hai, the co‑founder and CEO of Rebalance Health and the author of STRESS Nation.

Topics:

• Technology’s impact: Constant connectivity, content overload, and social media elevate stress, disrupt sleep, and affect digestion.
• Sleep as a signal: Nighttime sleep quality mirrors cortisol balance; meal timing and digestion are essential.
• Practical resets: Prioritize sleep hygiene, consistent routines, timing of fluids and alcohol, morning sunlight, phone-free starts to your day, and movement to align cortisol rhythms.
• Media hygiene: Limit violent/harmful content and be mindful of when you consume it to protect your stress response.
• Play and connection: Laughter, play, and time with loved ones are great accessible regulators of cortisol and well-being.

Links:

Stress Nation by Justin Hai: https://amzn.to/3Xrllp8

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In this interview, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator and published researcher, and cofounder of WeAreMorphus.com talks with psychotherapist, Lisa Brookman, MSW, PSW from West Island Therpay and Wellness Centre.

Topics:

• What are women experiencing, and why do they feel “different”?
• How to evaluate root causes of anxiety, depression, mood issues and feeling overwhelmed.
• Finding the right therapist: How do you choose and what can you expect?

Learn more at https://www.westislandtherapycentre.com/

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In this episode, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, published menopause researcher and menopause educator, and co-founder of WeAreMorphus.com, interviews Anna Cabeca, “The Girlfriend Doctor” DO, OBGYN, FACOG, who is a best-selling author and triple-board-certified physician specializing in gynecology, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine. She is known for her expertise in women's health, hormone balance, and sexual health. Our podcast has been recognized as the top-ranked menopause podcast worldwide on Feedspot’s 2025 list of best Menopause Podcasts and Perimenopause Podcasts.

This must-listen episode addresses the controversies around hormone replacement and what you need to know about the safety and effectiveness of various treatments.

Topics Covered:

• The key differences between birth control pills (which suppress hormones) and bioidentical hormones (which work with your body naturally)
• Understanding menopause hormone therapy (MHT) and how to personalize it for your unique needs
• Practical tips for starting hormone therapy and why patches or creams might work better than pills
• The truth about the Women's Health Initiative study and why its findings don't apply to all types of hormone therapy
• Simple ways to support your body's natural hormone detoxification processes
• Dr. Cabeca's holistic approach to hormone health - looking beyond quick fixes to find real solutions
• Why testing matters
• The surprising connection between cholesterol and brain health through hormone production
• How your thyroid, vitamin D levels, and gut health affect your hormones
• Tips for maintaining intimate health, including safe use of DHEA cream (Julva)
• A fresh perspective on PCOS and what it means for you
• Which ingredients to avoid in hormone creams and why

Links from the show:

Dr. Anna Cabeca's Website: https://drannacabeca.com/

Dr. Anna Cabeca’s Books: https://amzn.to/4hVfdxr

Julva Cream https://bit.ly/43u9rz9

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In this episode of "Menopause Reimagined," Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, and published researcher, interviews Carin Luna-Ostaseski, founder of "Hot or Just Me." Carin shares her journey through perimenopause and how it inspired her to create a supportive online resource and shop for women.

Topics:

• The importance of community support and shared experiences among women during menopause.
• The entrepreneurial journey of creating a business focused on menopause resources and products.
• The significance of female empowerment and supporting women-owned businesses in the menopause space.
• Discussion on the stigma and lack of medical training regarding menopause-related issues, such as vaginal dryness.
• Advocacy for better menopause education and healthcare support at both the state and federal levels.
• The impact of societal double standards in advertising menopause-related issues compared to male health issues.
• Encouraging women to take an active role in learning about menopause and communicating effectively with healthcare providers.

Links:

15% Discount for Purchases at hotorjustme.com: https://bit.ly/3Wj0iVq

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In this episode, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, welcomes Jesse, a husband and advocate, to discuss how men can better support women through menopause. Inspired by personal experience and a viral TikTok, Jesse shares hopeful tips for navigating supporting their partners during the changes of perimenopause and menopause. 

Their conversation highlights the importance of empathy, open communication, and shared learning. Listen to the end for Jesse's three simple tips that every partner needs to hear.

Topics:

• Men's perspective on menopause and its significance.
• Challenges faced by men in supporting their partners during perimenopause and menopause.
• Jesse's advocacy journey and the impact of social media on raising awareness about menopause.
• Importance of education and empathy for men regarding menopause.
• Communication gaps between partners about menopause symptoms and experiences.
• Societal and medical shortcomings in addressing women's health issues related to menopause.
• The emotional and mental toll of menopause on women and its impact on relationships.
• The distinction between men's experiences during their partner's menopause and the concept of male menopause (andropause).
• Practical advice for men on how to support their partners through menopause.

Links:

Follow Jesse: @husbands4menopause

Men's Perspective of Perimenopause & Menopause: https://forms.gle/dgHR5puDumtdNGvk7

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In this conversation, trainer and coach Samantha Montpetit-Huynh and Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, and cofounder of wearemorphus.com, discuss perimenopause and menopause, including race, symptoms, stress, GLP‑1s, strength, and how culture shapes experiences in perimenopause and menopause.

Highlights:

• Samantha’s experience growing up biracial, coming into her power, and finding her voice in midlife.
• Women of color experience earlier/more intense symptoms, care gaps, and medical racism.
• Women who feel unheard can experience increased stress and cortisol levels, which can impact their sleep and lead to weight gain, especially around the belly.
• Vocabulary that helps us discuss race respectfully and clearly.
• GLP‑1s are now a part of flashy influencer promos, while it's still unclear what the long‑term health risks are, and why solid lifestyle foundations matter the most.
• Overtraining in midlife: signs you’re doing too much and simple workout modifications to prevent it.
• The considerable importance of protein + strength, blood sugar management, and how these factors can influence our long-term independence and quality of life.
• 80/20 food approach and ditching guilt because balance beats perfection.

Links:

• Samantha: @samcoretrainer
• Retreat: Flip Flops & Hot Flashes (Costa Rica) 

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In this episode of Menopause Reimagined, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, talks with Leslie Kenny, CEO and patient advocate based in Oxford, about reversing autoimmune symptoms, supporting healthy aging, and easing perimenopause and menopause with food-first strategies. 

Leslie shares how she went from multiple autoimmune diagnoses and a grim prognosis to conceiving naturally at 43 and achieving a biological age of 21 at 59, through lifestyle changes, nutrition, and a science-backed compound called spermidine.

Topics Covered:

• Autoimmune to thriving: Leslie’s simple steps to lower inflammation, support immunity, and rebuild health.
• Spermidine, a natural compound that triggers cell cleanup (autophagy) and acts like a versatile “Swiss Army knife” for healthy aging.
• Food-first sources you can use now: nato (fermented soy), shiitake/oyster mushrooms, legumes, peas, and long-fermented cheeses like British cheddar.
• Menopause-specific wins: better sleep, hair and skin changes, nail strength, and support for hormonal balance.
• How spermidine reverses 8 of the 12 “aging levers”.
• New studies suggest that spermidine plays a role in immune rejuvenation and anti-tumor surveillance. Plus a Canadian study showing shifts in estradiol, cortisol, DHEA, and pregnenolone.

Links:

Primedene with Morphus20 to receive 20% off your order

Spermidine potentiates anti-tumor immune responses and immunotherapy sensitivity in breast cancer

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Join us for an eye-opening conversation about nutrition and metabolic science. Andrea Donsky, a renowned nutritionist, menopause educator, published researcher, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, sits down with metabolic health expert Ben Azadi to discuss one of the most pressing health challenges facing women today. 

Ben Azadi brings his expertise as a health educator, bestselling author, and podcast host to share groundbreaking strategies that can revolutionize how you approach your metabolic health during perimenopause and menopause. This isn't just another wellness discussion; it's a science-backed roadmap to reclaiming your energy, optimizing your metabolism, and thriving through this next chapter of your life.

Topics Covered:

• Ben Azadi went from being overweight with early diabetes and high blood pressure to becoming metabolically healthy by staying curious about what really affects our health, mindset, and the choices we make every day.
• Instead of just trying to lose weight, Ben teaches us to see extra weight as our body's way of telling us something is wrong and how to figure out what's really causing the weight gain in the first place.
• The foundational pieces of metabolic flexibility/freedom are eating whole/single-ingredient foods, engaging in regular movement, and adopting a responsible, rather than a victim, mindset.
• The key is tweaking one or two things a week to improve your health without being overwhelmed.
• Understanding what metabolic freedom really means and why it becomes even more important as women go through perimenopause and menopause, when our bodies naturally become more resistant to insulin.
• The importance of asking your doctor for a fasting insulin test.
• Hacks for carbohydrates and blunting insulin responses.
• Key lifestyle changes to improve sleep and master stress resilience, 
• Tips for improving heart rate variability (HRV).
• How our thoughts and overall well-being directly impact our physical health, including scientific proof that practicing gratitude can actually make us healthier and help us live longer.

Links from the show:

Metabolic Freedom: A 30-Day Guide to Restore Your Metabolism, Heal Hormones & Burn Fat by Ben Azadi

Ben's Website

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In this interview, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, and published menopause researcher and co-founder of WeAreMorphus.com, discusses how hormonal birth control can mask where you are in the menopausal transition, what labs help, and how to talk to your doctor about safer options. Elizabeth Katzman specializes in Functional Diagnostic Nutrition for women in perimenopause and menopause. She'll help you connect the dots if you've taken the pill in the past or are on the pill now. 

Topic Covered: 

• What the pill does (synthetic estrogen + progestin), why the “period” on it is a withdrawal bleed, and how it can hide your true perimenopause status.
• Why progestins can raise anxiety/depression risk, and how bioidentical progesterone supports sleep, mood, bones, and thyroid.
• Thyroid connection: How the pill can deplete nutrients and interfere with T4→T3 conversion, and raise hypothyroid risk when midlife thyroid issues already spike.
• Leaky gut, depleted lacto/bifido, and why protecting your mucosal lining matters for autoimmune risk.
• Testing that helps (and when): Why FSH/E2/Progesterone timing matters off the pill, plus affordable bloodwork that gives clues even when hormones fluctuate.
• How to think about nutrient repletion (methylated B’s, magnesium, zinc, selenium) and why an IUD or mini-pill (progestin-only) isn’t automatically a better choice.
• Topical/oral/vaginal progesterone options, DHEA and pregnenolone basics, and why “fit + formulation + timing” often matter more than the dose.
• Red meat, ferritin, and genetics: Why iron can climb post-menopause, when to watch ferritin, and how genetics (MTHFR, APOE) affect it.
• When your long-time GYN isn’t the right HRT partner, and how to add a practitioner who actually understands midlife hormones.

Links From The Show:

• Perimenopause, Menopause & Pelvic Health Survey
• DNA Company
• Why You Should Test Your Iron Levels in Menopause with Dr. Christy Sutton
• Dr. Thomas Perls on Longevity Tips from Studying Centenarians
• Understanding Bio-Identical Hormones (BHRT) and Menopause with Dr. Chris Shade
• Julva

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In this interview, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, menopause educator, and published menopause researcher, as well as co-founder of WeAreMorphus.com, has a candid conversation with Dr. Anna Cabeca.  Dr. Cabeca is a triple-board-certified OB-GYN, author, and menopause expert, focusing on women’s hormonal health and natural solutions. She is also the creator of popular products like Julva® feminine moisturizer.

Topics Covered:

• The issues many women face in perimenopause and menopause in the area of vaginal, pelvic, and sexual health, including incontinence, bladder leakage, UTIs, loss of orgasm, vaginal dryness, and bladder, vaginal, or rectal prolapse.
• How the lack of connection, increased discomfort, and lower libido and desire can affect us.
• UTIs 101, including undetected UTIs. How they affect the brain, memory, and can lead to confusion or masquerade as dementia, and how they can be prevented.
• The benefits of vaginal estrogens, DHEAs, and testosterone, and how to use them.
• Julva® and how it helps both you and your partner.
• Types of lubricants and moisturizers, and the ingredients to watch out for.
• The difference between bladder, vaginal, and rectal prolapses (now called the Genitourinary syndrome of menopause). And how Dr. Anna treats her patients before surgery can result in them not needing the surgery at all.
• Which probiotics to use for vaginal and urinary tract health.

Links:

Perimenopause, Menopause & Pelvic Health Survey

Men's Perspective of Perimenopause & Menopause: 

Julva®

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What she’s learning about perimenopause and menopause, plus a recipe. Sign up here
📖 NOURISHING MENOPAUSE, Andrea’s book (affiliate links)
Buy in the US | Buy in Canada
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Not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider. Morphus may earn a commission on affiliate links.

Are you noticing changes in your partner—lower energy, mood swings, sleep issues, or a dip in confidence? You’re not alone! 

In this episode of Menopause Reimagined, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, and co-founder of WeAreMorphus.com, interviews Bryce Wylde, founder of Husband, to break down the surprising truth about male menopause (also known as andropause) and why it matters for women navigating perimenopause and menopause. 

Topics Covered:

• The real signs of andropause: what to watch for in your partner and what's happening with their hormones
• How hormonal changes in men impact relationships—and what you can do about it, especially when your hormones are changing too.
• Easy, actionable tips to support your partner’s health (without adding more to your to-do list)
• The best tests for men over 40 (and why most doctors miss them)
• Nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement strategies that actually work for men in midlife
• Why understanding male menopause can strengthen your relationship—and help you both feel better

Andrea and Bryce keep it real, practical, and focused on solutions you can implement NOW. If you’re juggling work, family, and your own symptoms, this episode provides the information and tools to support your partner (and yourself) without feeling overwhelmed.

Links from the Podcast:

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz: https://amzn.to/41B9c3H 

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia: https://amzn.to/3JNQ8ZI
 
You can get 40% off at Husband Vitamins with the code MORPHUS15. Share this episode with your partner, and let’s make midlife easier—together.
 
Subscribe for weekly expert interviews, practical tips, and real talk about menopause, perimenopause, and women’s health. Please leave a review to help more women find the support they deserve!
 

Send us Fan Mail

💌 FREE FRIDAY EMAIL FROM ANDREA
What she’s learning about perimenopause and menopause, plus a recipe. Sign up here
📖 NOURISHING MENOPAUSE, Andrea’s book (affiliate links)
Buy in the US | Buy in Canada
💊 Shop Morphus
📰 As seen in USA Today
✅ Fill out our surveys
📲 FOLLOW US
Instagram and TikTok: @wearemorphus | @andreadonsky
Facebook: /wearemorphus
Not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider. Morphus may earn a commission on affiliate links.