100. How to Talk to Your Doctor About Perimenopause and Menopause

Ever leave the doctor's office feeling like you didn't get to say what you actually needed to say? In this episode, Kate sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Bostock — a practicing OBGYN for 30 years, a yogi, an Ayurvedic counselor, and a contributor to Kate's book Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health — to talk about self-advocacy in the doctor's office, especially around perimenopause and menopause.

Dr. Bostock shares what she's seen across three decades and hundreds of thousands of patients: the number one thing women tell her is that they haven't felt heard. She and Kate break down how symptoms shift by decade, why perimenopause often starts quietly in the late 30s, and why menopause care doesn't end at menopause — it extends through your entire life. Dr. Bostock offers a simple set of questions to bring into any appointment, explains when and how to ask for a referral, and makes the case for symptom tracking (with pen and paper, an app, or your wearable data) so you can walk in prepared instead of going blank.

The conversation also covers the current, more nuanced understanding of hormone therapy — where the evidence is strong, where it isn't yet, and why the framing of "who do you want to be at 80" matters more than chasing a number on a chart. They talk through the cost and insurance side of hormone therapy and physical therapy too, plus Dr. Bostock's take on movement: it should be fun, and it's never too late to start.

In this episode:

• Why "I haven't been heard" is the most common thing patients tell Dr. Bostock
• How symptoms and health priorities shift decade by decade, from the teens through the 80s
• Why menopause care is really a lifelong conversation, not a single life stage
• Three questions to bring to your next doctor's visit — and a fourth for sexual health
• What to do (and say) if your provider isn't the right fit
• Why tracking symptoms — on paper, in an app, or via wearables — changes the conversation with your doctor
• The most common perimenopause and menopause symptoms, including lesser-known ones like formication and early joint pain
• A clearer, more current look at menopause hormone therapy (MHT): where it helps most, and the guidance on timing
• How family health history (and the Ayurvedic idea of prakriti) plays into these decisions
• The "menopausal Barbie" trend and GLP-1s: Dr. Bostock's honest take
• Why she thinks of physical activity as play, not a prescription
• Navigating cost: hormone therapy affordability, generic options, and why physical therapy access is still a gap
• Dr. Bostock's morning and evening routines, including her "Jamba Juice" anti-inflammatory tonic

About Dr. Elizabeth Bostock:

Elizabeth is a practicing OBGYN, yogi, Ayurvedic counselor, and women's health leader and advocate who believes that combining medical traditions in a "yes, and" way gives the best of all worlds. She weaves together real science and human living to explore how we all live healthier, happier, more contented lives — and is a fierce advocate for helping people figure out who they are, find their path forward, and speak up for themselves.

Connect with Dr. Bostock:

Instagram: instagram.com/empoweredwomanshealthmd

YouTube: youtube.com/empoweredwomanshealthmd

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/elizabethbostock

Substack: substack.com/@elizabethbostockmdphd

Mentioned in this episode:

• Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health by Kate O'Donnell — paperback edition releases September 16
• The Menopause Society (provider directory and patient resources)
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• Mayo Clinic (patient education resources)
• GoodRx and Cost Plus Drugs (referred to in conversation as "Mark Cuban Pharmacy") for prescription discounts
• Dr. Bostock's "Jamba Juice" tonic: whole lemon, ginger, turmeric, star anise, and cayenne, simmered and blended
• Dr. Bostock's current read: The Empire of Gold
• A preview of an upcoming episode on GLP-1s, out in two weeks

This episode is supported by:

Banyan Botanicals — Triphala tablets for digestion and daily detox. Get it here: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx

Health Disclaimer:

The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider — including regarding hormone therapy — before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.

Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org

Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership

Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024

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