This is the most informative article I've ever read. Bless you for caring enough to be both blunt and realistic. I enjoy everything your write, but this one hit home.
This is such a thorough and grounded way to look at it.
What stands out to me is how clearly this moves away from the “eat less, try harder” mindset and brings the focus back to supporting the body, especially during a phase where its needs are changing.
In my work, I often see women doing many of these things on paper, but without that sense of alignment with their body, it still feels like effort without ease. That’s where the shift really happens.
I also appreciate how you included stress and sleep as part of the foundation, not as an afterthought. That piece is so often overlooked, yet it changes everything.
I’m on HRT, I have a provider who supports this, I eat well, I supplement with protein, I’ve always worked out and continue to do so, I take creatine, I add flax and chia seeds to my shakes, I’m plant based. I do everything right. And yet I’ve lost so much muscle mass and strength. I have broken shoulders-severe unfuxable tears that I’ve been advised by three different specialists my only option is shoulder replacement at some point (but not now because at 59 I’m considered too young). I don’t know what else to do. I have chronic shoulder pain due to the tears, arthritis that set in and now reduced mobility because of the tears. It’s frustrating and tough to live in a body that doesn’t function like it used to despite my efforts. I appreciate all the knowledge you’ve shared, it has definitely helped me tweak my options. But the chronic pain, loss of upper body flexibility and strength are tough. I try to be thankful for what I can still do, my strong legs, my cardiovascular abilities. It’s not easy as someone who has spent her life being strong and capable, accepting the limits that I now have. But it could be worse. And I still do more than most women my age do and I Won’t . Give. Up.
I'm curious if you've checked vitamin B12, homocysteine and uric acid. When B12 is low and the latter two rise, which is common during menopause, it can increase inflammation which can be behind joint pain/arthritis and muscle loss.
My B12 is decent. Haven’t checked the others. I’m getting blood work in the summer. I’ll asks to have those checked. I recently had a pretty thorough blood panel done and everything was in normal range except iron, I’ve added a good iron supplement and my HRT was adjusted to higher doses. I’m trying to do everything that I can to optimize my health at this stage of my life. I’m not on any medication other than Lyrica and Cbd for my pain. At least I can be thankful for a healthy heart from all my lifelong workouts.
What do you think of progesterone and estradiol cream versus taking progesterone orally and using the estradiol patch. Is it better to not take the progesterone orally to avoid liver metabolism and take the progesterone vaginally?
This is the most informative article I've ever read. Bless you for caring enough to be both blunt and realistic. I enjoy everything your write, but this one hit home.
Thank you fot this series
Than you for the information.
Love you Doc and thank you for everything you do for the community. I feel less confused and overwhelmed each time I read your articles.
Thank you for this series - it has all been so good.
I wish that I had this when I was beginning my journey. I'm in the post part of my journey and still learning. It gets better. ✌🏽
Great information! Thoughtful delivery :)
This is such a thorough and grounded way to look at it.
What stands out to me is how clearly this moves away from the “eat less, try harder” mindset and brings the focus back to supporting the body, especially during a phase where its needs are changing.
In my work, I often see women doing many of these things on paper, but without that sense of alignment with their body, it still feels like effort without ease. That’s where the shift really happens.
I also appreciate how you included stress and sleep as part of the foundation, not as an afterthought. That piece is so often overlooked, yet it changes everything.
Thank you for putting this together so clearly.
Better than excellent. I wish I had been able to read it twenty years ago.
I’m on HRT, I have a provider who supports this, I eat well, I supplement with protein, I’ve always worked out and continue to do so, I take creatine, I add flax and chia seeds to my shakes, I’m plant based. I do everything right. And yet I’ve lost so much muscle mass and strength. I have broken shoulders-severe unfuxable tears that I’ve been advised by three different specialists my only option is shoulder replacement at some point (but not now because at 59 I’m considered too young). I don’t know what else to do. I have chronic shoulder pain due to the tears, arthritis that set in and now reduced mobility because of the tears. It’s frustrating and tough to live in a body that doesn’t function like it used to despite my efforts. I appreciate all the knowledge you’ve shared, it has definitely helped me tweak my options. But the chronic pain, loss of upper body flexibility and strength are tough. I try to be thankful for what I can still do, my strong legs, my cardiovascular abilities. It’s not easy as someone who has spent her life being strong and capable, accepting the limits that I now have. But it could be worse. And I still do more than most women my age do and I Won’t . Give. Up.
I'm curious if you've checked vitamin B12, homocysteine and uric acid. When B12 is low and the latter two rise, which is common during menopause, it can increase inflammation which can be behind joint pain/arthritis and muscle loss.
My B12 is decent. Haven’t checked the others. I’m getting blood work in the summer. I’ll asks to have those checked. I recently had a pretty thorough blood panel done and everything was in normal range except iron, I’ve added a good iron supplement and my HRT was adjusted to higher doses. I’m trying to do everything that I can to optimize my health at this stage of my life. I’m not on any medication other than Lyrica and Cbd for my pain. At least I can be thankful for a healthy heart from all my lifelong workouts.
What do you think of progesterone and estradiol cream versus taking progesterone orally and using the estradiol patch. Is it better to not take the progesterone orally to avoid liver metabolism and take the progesterone vaginally?