Menopause isn’t experienced equally—and the differences are too big to ignore. We sit down with Dr. Kudzai Dombo, OB-GYN and Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Alloy Health, to explore why Black women often face earlier menopause, longer and more severe symptoms, and far less access to effective treatment. Drawing on the SWAN study’s decades of data, we connect dots between evidence, everyday experiences, and the systems that shape both.

Dr. Dombo shares her own perimenopause story—misdiagnosis, expense, and relief once hormones were recognized as the driver—and uses it to illuminate the barriers many women meet: clinician bias, gaps in menopause training, insurance hurdles, and historic medical mistrust. We talk through the shocking 0.5% hormone therapy usage among Black women, why that number reflects more than preference, and how to navigate choices from bioidentical hormones to nonhormonal options. The message is clear: treatment should be personalized, iterative, and explained in simple terms that empower informed consent.

We also zoom out to where health meets work. Symptoms can derail sleep, focus, memory, and confidence—undercutting performance, promotions, and pay. We outline practical steps employers can take now: flexible scheduling for sleep disruption, breathable uniforms, localized temperature control, paid time for medical care, and benefits that cover evidence-based menopause treatment with follow-up. Finally, we highlight the power of community support groups that replace isolation with knowledge, self-advocacy, and a sense of “not just me.”

Don’t normalize suffering. If your care stalls, bring the latest guidelines, ask for options, or change providers. If this conversation resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find evidence-based, equitable menopause care.

Dr. Kudzai Dombo is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, and currently serves as the Director of Advocacy and Outreach and Prescribing Physician at Alloy.She combines deep clinical experience with a commitment to health equity, focusing especially on the midlife health of Black women.

Website: www.myalloy.com

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Menopause shouldn’t feel like a mystery you have to solve alone. We sit down with Dr. Corinne Menn—board‑certified OB‑GYN, certified menopause practitioner, and cancer survivor—to clear the fog around estrogen, perimenopause, and modern, evidence‑based care. From the infamous Women’s Health Initiative to today’s safer formulations and smarter timing, we separate risk from rumor and show how context—age, route, dose, and goals—changes the story.

We dig into the “window of opportunity” for menopausal hormone therapy, why transdermal estradiol and micronized progesterone matter, and how treatment decisions shift if you’re 5, 10, or 15 years past your final period. We also spotlight what rarely makes headlines: genitourinary syndrome of menopause, recurrent UTIs, and why low‑dose vaginal estrogen (and vaginal DHEA) can be transformative for comfort, sexual health, and even infection‑related hospitalizations. Perimenopause gets its due as a real, treatable transition with anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, and irregular bleeding—symptoms that too often get fragmented into referrals instead of addressed at the hormonal root.

You’ll leave with practical steps to advocate for yourself: how to prep a focused appointment, what to ask about dosing and delivery, and when to seek a menopause specialist or reputable telehealth. We connect the dots between symptom relief now and longevity later—bone density, cardiovascular health, cognitive function—and make the case for lifestyle medicine you can actually live with: strength training, sleep, nutrition, and thoughtful alcohol habits. If you’ve wondered whether estrogen is “dangerous,” whether you’re “too late” to start, or whether vaginal estrogen is only about sex, this conversation reframes the entire landscape with clarity and compassion.

If this helped you feel more informed, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review—your voice helps more women find evidence‑based menopause care.

www.myalloy.com

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

What if stress isn’t the villain but the spark—and the real unlock is how extraordinary you decide to feel? We sit down with stress resiliency coach and former Microsoft leader Dat Tran to explore a fresh, human approach to burnout, anxiety, and midlife pressure. Dat shares how a car accident and cascading changes forced him to rebuild from the inside out, and why the turning point wasn’t stress reduction—it was expanding capacity.

Together, we unpack a powerful yet simple formula: resiliency equals how extraordinary you feel minus how much tension you carry. That insight reframes everything for women navigating perimenopause and menopause, when expectations, caretaking, and identity shifts can keep the nervous system on high alert. Dat shows how an “extraordinary” mindset calms the emotional brain, unlocks the executive brain, and makes room for better decisions, sleep, and connection. We also dig into why seeing others—kids, partners, aging parents—as resilient actually lowers your own anxiety and gives them back their growth.

You’ll hear practical tools from Dat’s 60-day accelerator: mindset work that returns you to your core worth, skill-building to strengthen, stretch, soothe, and release, and the role of community in sustaining change. We get specific about nervous system states (safe and social, activated, shutdown), release rituals that prevent blowups, and a single actionable step you can take today to shift from overwhelm. If you’ve felt like stress keeps filling every gap you clear, this conversation offers a kinder, sturdier path forward—one that honors your body, your season, and your ambitions.

If this resonated, follow and share with a friend who needs it. Subscribe for more grounded conversations on menopause, midlife health, and lifestyle medicine, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Your voice helps grow this community.

Dat is a Stress Resiliency Coach & Founder on a mission to redefine how the world views stress. He empowers leaders and teams to build the resiliency they need to achieve their boldest ambitions and lead with confidence under pressure. His work blends neuroscience with real-world leadership to create lasting mindset and performance shifts.

https://www.datstresscoach.com

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Menopause doesn’t pause at the office door. It shows up in sleep loss, hot flashes, brain fog, anxiety—and too often, in silence. We wanted to break that pattern. So we sat down with Dr. Joanne Armstrong, VP and Chief Medical Officer for Women’s Health and Genomics, and benefits leader Carmilla Tan to unpack how CVS Health scaled a menopause support strategy across retail stores, call centers, pharmacies, clinics, warehouses, and corporate teams—without losing the human touch.

We talk candidly about the barriers women face: undertrained clinicians, misdiagnosis, stigma, and the time squeeze that pushes care to the bottom of the list. Then we map the fixes. You’ll hear how we trained MinuteClinic clinicians with Menopause Society education, expanded networks with menopause-trained providers, and used data science to proactively connect people to care. We share the playbook for culture change—CRGs like WISE, manager training, peer groups guided by clinicians, and even a simple breathing exercise that makes saying “menopause” feel normal. It’s practical and scalable: comprehensive coverage, over-the-counter credits for symptom relief, robust EAP sessions, and flexible access through retail, virtual, and phone-based care.

This conversation also looks beyond day-to-day symptoms to long-term health. We dig into cardiovascular risk, bone health, mental health, and the habits—sleep, nutrition, movement, community—that set the stage for the next decades. If you’re an employer, you’ll leave with clear steps: assess your women’s health strategy, inventory what you already offer, use a menopause-friendly checklist to spot gaps, and bundle benefits into a simple guide people can actually use. If you’re navigating midlife, you’ll find language, resources, and community to make your journey easier—and more supported.

If this resonated, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review. Want the checklist or to explore accreditation? Visit midovia.com or menopausefriendlyus.com and let’s build workplaces where women thrive.

With more than 20 years in the field both as a practicing OB-GYN and health policy expert, Dr. Armstrong’s mission is to help solve for women’s health needs through clinical, policy and societal lenses. Dr. Armstrong is vice president and chief medical officer of women’s health and
genomics at CVS Health. She is also associate professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTH).

Carmilla Tan is the head of benefits for CVS Health. In this role,
Carmilla leads strategy, implementation and oversight of the
company’s benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse
needs of more than 300,000 colleagues.

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

What happens when you outlive your ovaries? Dr. Kelly Casperson, board-certified urologist and award-winning author, joins us to unpack the truth about menopause and hormones in her characteristically honest, evidence-based approach.

Kelly challenges the outdated narrative that hormones are dangerous, walking us through why the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study has been widely misinterpreted. "The paper is free online," she explains, "and it says breast cancer does not reach statistical significance." Yet two decades later, this misunderstanding continues to prevent women from accessing treatments that could significantly improve their quality of life.

We dive deep into the timing hypothesis—why starting hormone therapy early provides the best preventative benefits against conditions like heart disease and dementia—and why baby boomers should be "pissed" about being denied hormones when they needed them most. Kelly doesn't hold back when debunking the patronizing "grandmother hypothesis" or addressing vaginal health with her trademark blend of medical expertise and humor.

Perhaps most valuable is her balanced approach to menopause management. While advocating for hormone therapy when appropriate, she emphasizes that slapping on an estrogen patch won't help much "if you're drinking and not sleeping and not exercising and your mood about getting older is shitty." The real power comes from combining hormone knowledge with lifestyle changes and a positive mindset.

Whether you're approaching perimenopause, deep in the menopause transition, or supporting someone who is, this episode delivers the straightforward education women deserve. As Kelly reminds us, "Nobody is more in charge of your body and your knowledge about it than you."

Be sure to order her new book, "The Menopause Moment," available at all your favorite bookstores.

Dr. Kelly Casperson is a board-certified urologist, best-selling author, and top-ranked international podcaster empowering women to take charge of their health, hormones, and sexuality. Known for blending science with storytelling, she turns complex medical topics into relatable, actionable insights that help women live fully, especially in midlife.

With her signature candor and clarity, Dr. Casperson dismantles myths around sex, menopause, and desire. Her acclaimed podcast, You Are Not Broken, is a trusted resource for hundreds of thousands of women seeking real answers about their bodies and brains. Her work fuses urology, neuroscience, and mindset coaching to spark lasting change in intimacy, confidence, and well-being.

As a speaker and educator, Dr. Casperson challenges outdated norms in medicine while offering bold, science-backed solutions. Whether on stage, in clinic, or behind the mic, she is leading a health revolution through smart, honest conversations.

Website: https://kellycaspersonmd.com

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Senator Lori Urso of Rhode Island takes us behind the scenes of America's first-ever workplace menopause legislation in this powerful conversation about leadership, advocacy, and breaking barriers. Drawing from her personal journey through menopause that nearly derailed her career, Senator Erso reveals how she transformed her struggles into groundbreaking policy change that's now serving as a model for other states.

The conversation moves seamlessly between deeply personal revelations and strategic policy insights. Senator Urso candidly shares how seven years of unmanaged menopause symptoms led her to actually resign from her position before finally finding proper treatment. "I almost quit my job," she reveals, highlighting the real-world consequences when menopausal women lack proper support. This vulnerability becomes the foundation for understanding why workplace accommodations aren't just compassionate—they're economically essential.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical roadmap Senator Urso provides for creating change. Rather than crafting entirely new legislation, she strategically amended existing fair employment practices law to include menopause protections alongside pregnancy and breastfeeding accommodations. This smart approach positions menopause as a normal life transition rather than a disability and offers a template that other states can easily adopt.

Beyond the legislation itself, Senator Urso addresses the cultural shifts needed to truly support women in midlife. "We have to stop the narrative of 'she's crazy,'" she emphasizes, calling for greater compassion and understanding between women. Her wisdom on leadership—from trusting your instincts to considering others' perspectives in negotiations—provides valuable guidance for women navigating their own leadership journeys through the menopause transition and beyond.

Tune in to discover how this landmark legislation is sparking conversations nationwide and learn why supporting women through menopause isn't just the right thing to do—it's smart business practice in our evolving workforce. Whether you're experiencing menopause, supporting someone who is, or making workplace policy, this episode offers essential insights on creating more inclusive, productive environments for all.

Senator Lori Urso is a Democrat representing District 8 (Pawtucket) in the Rhode Island Senate. She was elected in November 2024.

Senator Urso serves as secretary of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, and serves as a member of both the Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture, and the Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies.

Senator Urso brings a record of leadership and accomplishment in local government and the nonprofit sector.

Senator Urso served on the Rhode Island Historical Records Advisory Board from 2015 to 2025, and has been a founding co-chair of Pawtucket International Women's Day since 2015. She served nine years on the board of the Pawtucket Foundation, and two terms on Pawtucket’s Charter Review Commission. She currently serves on the Pawtucket Riverfront Commission.

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site

Have you ever found yourself staring into the mirror wondering "Who am I now?" Michele Heffron, transformational life and divorce coach, joins us for a profound conversation about the identity shifts that occur during midlife transitions.

Michele shares how menopause often becomes a catalyst for deeper questioning about relationships, purpose, and fulfillment. "We get to this certain point in time and there's all these shifts taking place not only in our bodies but in who and how we're showing up in the world," she explains. This awakening frequently coincides with major life decisions around relationships, empty nesting, and career paths.

Fear emerges as the primary barrier preventing women from making necessary changes. Financial insecurity, loneliness, and social judgment create powerful resistance. Michele's perspective challenges conventional wisdom: "Life is not short, life is long, and if you are miserable or unhappy, it's a long time to be unhappy." This reframing gives women permission to prioritize their remaining years rather than endure continued dissatisfaction.

The path to rediscovery requires consistent, small efforts. Michele recommends starting with what you don't want, then inverting those points to clarify what you do want. Daily practices like journaling, meditation, and intentional stillness help women reconnect with their authentic selves after years of external focus. "If we don't start safeguarding our own time, we're going to fill it with things that are more important than ourselves—and what could be more important than ourselves?"

Living an aligned life means finding balance between different energies within yourself rather than swinging between compliance and defiance. This alignment allows women to make choices based on their own needs rather than constantly accommodating others' expectations. As Michele reminds us, "We have the right to be, do and have anything we want and desire."

Ready to stop arguing for your limitations? Listen now to gain practical wisdom for navigating midlife transitions with confidence and clarity. Subscribe to the MiDOViA Menopause Podcast for more conversations that help you reclaim your power during this transformative life stage.

Michèle Heffron is a ICF certified transformational life, relationship and divorce coach who supports individuals through some of life’s most defining moments. From navigating the complexities of divorce to rediscovering identity after long-term partnerships, empty nesting, or career shifts, Michèle offers compassionate, strategic guidance through every phase of relationship transition.

Website: www.micheleheffron.com

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Testosterone isn't just a male hormone—it's a vital life force that gradually declines with age, affecting everything from muscle mass to mood. This eye-opening conversation with Lisa Lounsbury, founder of New Day Wellness, explores the reality of male menopause (andropause) and its profound impact on men's health and relationships.

Unlike female menopause, andropause sneaks in gradually, making it easy to mistake hormonal changes for normal aging. "Men might confuse this loss of hormone with regular aging," Lounsbury explains, "but there is a difference, and we need to educate men so we can have cross-lateral empathy as we transition into aging."

The episode unpacks the five key symptoms men should watch for: mood swings, sleep disturbances, loss of muscle mass, decreased libido, and fatigue. When these symptoms compound, they signal more than just getting older—they represent a biological shift that deserves attention. Lounsbury shares her personal experience testing testosterone levels with her husband, revealing how blood work confirmed what lifestyle changes had suggested.

For men navigating these changes, the message is clear—you don't have to suffer or accept decline as inevitable. Through intentional movement, thoughtful nutrition, and open communication, men can maintain vitality well into their later years. As Lounsbury puts it, "There's so much life to live in your 50s, 60s, and 70s," and watching someone who's given up compared to someone thriving reveals the power of these choices.

Perhaps most importantly, the episode highlights how hormonal changes affect relationships when both partners are experiencing their own versions of menopause. The solution? "When we're open with the biology of what's happening with our bodies, we realize it's not a choice—we're not waking up choosing to be miserable," Lounsbury says. This understanding creates space for empathy, vulnerability, and deeper connection.

Whether you're experiencing these changes yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers practical wisdom for turning a challenging transition into an opportunity for greater health and connection. Listen, learn, and discover why curiosity rather than judgment leads to better aging for everyone.

Lisa Lounsbury is a globally respected Resilience and Well-Being Expert,
Certified Lifestyle, Wellness & Menopause Coach, National Mental Health
Trainer, International Speaker and Founder of New Day Wellness Inc., with
over 30 years of experience empowering leaders and teams to make wellness
a non-negotiable. From competing in a triathlon at the 1992 Pre-Olympic
Games to completing a 350-km solo pilgrimage across Spain’s Camino de
Santiago in 2024, Lisa embodies the resilience she teaches. A trusted speaker
and coach to professionals in mining, healthcare, finance, and government,
she helps organizations strengthen their culture, navigate transitions like
menopause and andropause, and lead with compassion through change.
Author of Making Wellness a Priority, host of the Your Wellness podcast, and a
member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, Lisa delivers
more than motivation—she delivers momentum.

Website: newdaywellness.ca

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to,