As women enter perimenopause and menopause, hormonal shifts—declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—can ripple through nearly every system in the body, impacting bone density, cardiovascular health, metabolism, brain function, and sexual wellbeing. Misinterpretation of past research left millions fearful of hormone therapy, yet newer evidence shows that bioidentical hormones, started within a specific “window of opportunity,” can protect the heart, brain, bones, and quality of life. Supporting this transition in a woman’s life also means addressing nutrition, gut health, stress, sleep, and strength training—powerful tools that work alongside hormones to restore vitality. With the right knowledge and care, this phase of life can be transformational, leading to renewal, resilience, and long-term health protection. In this episode, I explore, along with Dr. Mary Claire Haver and Dr. Cindy Geyer, how we can shift our thinking of peri-menopause and menopause to one of renewed health and vitality. Mary Claire Haver, MD, FACOG, CMP, is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, and Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner. A graduate of Louisiana State University Medical Center with residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch, she is the founder of Mary Claire Wellness, a clinic dedicated to comprehensive menopause care. In 2023, she launched ThePauseLife.com, a global resource for menopausal women, and became a #1 New York Times bestselling author with The New Menopause. Her first book, The Galveston Diet (2023), reflects her passion for evidence-based lifestyle strategies to support women’s health. With over 4 million social media followers, Dr. Haver is a leading voice in “demystifying menopause,” empowering women to self-advocate and thrive through every stage of midlife. Dr. Cindy Geyer received her bachelor of science and her doctor of medicine degrees, with honors, from the Ohio State University. She completed residency in internal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y. and is triple board certified in internal medicine, integrative medicine and lifestyle medicine. This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers. Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use code HYMAN to save 15%. Full-length episodes can be found here: Your Guide to Menopause: What to Expect and How to Thrive Menopause Relief: Hormone Tips Every Woman Needs To Know Is Hormone Replacement Therapy in Menopause Helpful or Harmful
