It’s my birthday and I am reflecting on my perimenopausal journey and the podcast. We have learned so much together and I want to know what you would like to hear. Do you have questions or issues that haven’t been addressed or that you would like to revisit? Do you want to hear more personal stories or from more experts? The podcast will be moving …

Not feeling quite right “down there?” Having dryness, itching, irritation, burning, discomfort with sex, or trouble urinating? Have you treated yourself for a yeast infection over and over again with no relief? In this episode, Dr. Ritch covers common causes of these symptoms including genitourinary syndrome of menopause, contact dermatitis, and li…

Menopause brings hormonal changes that significantly impact dental health. Many women may not realize the extent of these effects on their oral wellness. With dental health often overlooked during menopause, women face increased risks of discomfort, decay, and even tooth loss. Without proper understanding and proactive care, these issues can escala…

While all of our journeys are different, it’s helpful to see how our stories overlap and what worked and didn’t work for others. In this episode, Dr. Ritch talks with her friend, Luciana about her menopause journey and how to manage her symptoms now. --------------------- Ready to enrich your menopause journey? Connect with Dr. Jessica Ritch throug…

Have you heard about testosterone therapy for women? It can help your energy, libido and muscle mass, so why isn’t it more widely available? In this episode, Dr. Fenwa Milhouse, discusses the risks, benefits and how to take testosterone. ----------------------------------------------- Connect with Dr. Fenwa Milhouse: Website - Your Favorite Urologi…

Normal perimenopause can start as early as the mid 30s, but what about if you’re in your 20s? In this episode, Dr. Carolina Sueldo, discusses early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency. What does this mean for your health and family planning? -------------------------------------- Connect with Dr. Carolina Sueldo: Website - Dr. Carolina Sue…

Menopause is not the end of your sex life. While there can be challenges, many can have the best sex of their lives in menopause and beyond. Dr. Carol Clark is board-certified in sex therapy and addictions and is the founder and senior instructor for the International Institute of Clinical Sexology. She talks with Dr. Ritch about strategies to enha…

Creating your dream life doesn’t always mean following the dream you had as a child. Oftentimes, we need to tap into our creativity, pivot, and sometimes even invent something new that we never knew to dream of. Amanda McCrossin has done just that, marrying her passions and skills as an actress and sommelier into the ever-evolving #sommvivant. She …

As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Tamy Faierman, is intimately familiar with the physical changes that occur in women in perimenopause and menopause. With years of helping women achieve their aesthetic goals, she realized how important the mental, emotional, and spiritual areas are as well. In this episode, we highlight her journey and how she now helps wo…

About 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the US each year and many women are given little instruction on how to prepare or recover. In this episode, physical therapist, Dr. Jocelyn Wallace, shares her experience with similar surgeries and how she helps patients prepare for and recover from surgery. ---------- Connect with Dr. Jocelyn Wallace v…

Fibroids occur in up to 80% of women. Many times, they get better in menopause, but what do you do if they don’t? In this episode, Dr. Ritch discusses what fibroids are, what problems they cause, which require treatment, and what your options are. --------------------- Ready to enrich your menopause journey? Connect with Dr. Jessica Ritch through F…

Arthritis and many other autoimmune conditions often start in menopause and perimenopause. In this episode, rheumatologist, Dr. Aviva Hopkins, discusses these conditions and what took look out for including the often-distressing and unclear +ANA. ----------------------------------- More about Dr. Aviva Hopkins: ConciergeMDFL…

Menopause can be full of both shared and deeply personal experiences. And, it can open up our creative side. In this episode, writer, storyteller and menopausal bad ass Francoise Nieto-Fong shares her Divine Woman's Red Monologue and discusses the experiences that inspired it. ------------------------------------------ Follow Francoise Nieto-Fong o…

Have you noticed little lapses in memory or brain fog in perimenopause? Do you have worsening headaches or dizziness? Have you watched a loved one go through dementia and worry about what that means for you? This week, Dr. Sylvia Barboni, board-certified neurologist and integrative and holistic medicine specialist discusses what to look out for and…

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet often doesn’t get as much attention as it does for men. Did you know that hormonal changes throughout life affect our cardiovascular health, especially perimenopause and menopause? Cardiologist and director of the Women’s Cardiac Health Program at Memorial Hospital West, Dr. Kashmira Bhadha,…

Hormones can affect every part of your body, even your joints! Menopause is not just about hot flushes. Many women are surprised to start having more joint pains in perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, and registered dietitian and fitness instructor, Sydney Nitzkorski, discuss how hormones relate …

When Megan Thee Stallion was talking about Hot Girl Summer, she was not referring to you dripping with sweat from your hot flashes. In this episode, Dr. Ritch reviews options to help you stay cooler this summer. -------------------------------------- CLICK HERE to join our mailing list - we'll send updates as soon as new episodes are live!…

You can’t talk about perimenopause and menopause without talking about hormones! Sometimes, it feels like a roller coaster ride of emotions and other symptoms. In this episode, Dr. Ritch will discuss what’s going on with hormones during this stage, what types of symptoms these hormonal changes cause, and a basic overview of treatment options. This …

The end of the year can be both wonderful and hectic no matter what or how you celebrate. More social events, school and work projects, cooking, shopping, traveling, guests, parties, and end of year work deadlines can leave us sprinting through extra long days. In this episode, Dr. Ritch brings back experts to give you tips on feeling your best and…

EnRitched Menopause is officially 1 year old! Dr. Jessica Ritch celebrates and discusses her top 5 lessons learned in 1 year of the podcast. ------------------------ Join our community of women navigating menopause together! SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST AND BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATIONBy Jessica Ritch, MD

Helmet hair is a thing of the past! So what can we do about hair that is drying, thinning and graying? In this episode, stylist Julie Shepperly gives expert tips on how to manage the changes in your hair. ------------------------- Color WOW Products: https://colorwowhair.com/ WOW Hair Color Powder: https://colorwowhair.com/products/root-cover-up --…

Are you still doing the same make-up routine you have been doing for years, even decades? It might be time to make a change. Make-up artist, Kayla, from BOOM! By Cindy Joseph cosmetics, the first pro-age cosmetics company gives us tips on how to change our make-up routine for different phases of life. -------------------------------- More of Kayla …

Historically, cancer treatment has focused on treating the cancer with little thought to life afterwards, especially when it comes to your sex life, but both the psychological and physical effects of diagnosis and treatment of cancer can take their toll on your sex life. With more and more women living with cancer, we need better solutions. In this…

Have you lost your mojo in perimenopause and postmenopause? Ob/Gyn, Dr. Lyndsey Harper used to feel at a loss when patients came to her with sexual issues, but decided to be proactive about it. She started to educate herself, then created Rosy, an App that supports women’s sexual health in so many ways from informational webinars to erotica to anon…

Many women miss work or lose or quit their jobs in menopause. Sometimes, this is a choice, but many times, it’s because our workplaces were not designed with menopausal women in mind. April Haberman of Midovia is working to change that, bringing menopause awareness and programs into the workplace along with personalized individual menopause support…

Weight gain is one of the unfortunate effects of perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, obesity medicine specialist (not just for those who are overweight), Dr. Megan Melo talks with Dr. Ritch about what’s driving weight gain and options for treatment. ------------------------------------------- Connect with Dr. Megan Melo: Website - https:/…

Many in perimenopause and menopause are dealing with caring for aging and ill parents or other loved ones. Integrative and palliative medicine doctor, Dr. Delia Chiaramonte, shares practical tips on how to get organized when a loved one is ill, care for yourself while caring for others, experience grief, and design your best life now. -------------…

The New York Times recently published an article on “The Unending Indignities of Vagina Atrophy.” In this episode, Dr. Ritch discusses how the term “vaginal atrophy” doesn’t capture what’s really going on and what the bigger picture looks like, as well as, how it’s kept many from the treatment they need and what we can do instead. --------------- J…

Perimenopause and thyroid disease have many overlapping symptoms and often occur together. Sometimes thyroid disease is obvious and easy to diagnose and treat, but other times, it can be more tricky. ENT/Allergist, Dr. Dana Gibbs, wandered into a lecture at a medical conference and realized the speaker was describing her. That started her journey i…

You’ve heard a lot about intermittent fasting or time-based eating, but is it right for you? This week, Dr. Ritch brings back registered dietitian, Adrienne Sugimoto, to talk about what it is, how it’s done, the potential benefits and who it’s not right for. Dr. Ritch also shares her experience in starting intermittent fasting. --------------------…

By Jessica Ritch, MD

The New York Times recently reported on a study estimating that menopause is costing American women $1.8 Billion in lost revenue! In this episode, Dr. Ritch dives into the study and what it means, sick days due to menopausal symptoms, and how we navigate work during the menopausal transition. -------------------------------------- If you have found…

Menopause can affect every part of our bodies, even our eyes! From dry eyes to reading glasses to glaucoma, ophthalmologist, Dr. Mitra Ayazifar, shares with us everything we need to know about eye health in menopause. -------------------------- Get in touch with Dr. Mitra Ayazifar: Website - www.capeyemed.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/DrMi…

When the kids go off to college or move out, it’s a big transition for both kids and parents, especially when you’re also going through the transition of menopause. Psychotherapist, Deborah Marcus Stayman returns to help us navigate our changing identity, relationship with adult children, and what to do with our newfound time. ---------------------…

Mood swings in perimenopause can make it hard to keep our cool with anyone, especially children. At the same time, recognizing the end of our reproductive years can add new stressors over identity and grief. Psychotherapist and licensed social worker, Dr. Tania Paredes, helps us navigate these tricky times with compassion for ourselves and those ar…

Cancer sucks! A breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating for a woman and her loved ones. On top of that, the treatments to obtain remission or cure can have their own risks and side effects. However, there are options to help those affected to thrive, not just survive breast cancer and beyond. In this episode, breast oncologist, Dr. Carmen Calfa,…

There’s so much talk about breast cancer that it can be terrifying to feel symptoms in the breast or to get the call that something looked abnormal on a mammogram and requires biopsy. In this episode, breast surgeon, Dr. Erica Bloomquist, discusses how we evaluate symptoms and imaging and treatment options when something is found. -----------------…

Show notes: Breast cancer screening is a source of anxiety for many. In this episode, breast oncologist, Dr. Carmen Calfa, discusses risk factors, screening, genetics testing and what we can do to reduce our risk. --------------------------- Reach out to Dr. Carmen Calfa via Genetic Predisposition Syndrome Clinic…

Have you noticed little lapses in memory or brain fog in perimenopause? Do you have worsening headaches or dizziness? Have you watched a loved one go through dementia and worry about what that means for you? This week, Dr. Sylvia Barboni, board-certified neurologist and integrative and holistic medicine specialist discusses what to look out for and…

So, you haven’t had a period in over a year and then you notice some blood on the toilet paper after you go to the bathroom. Now what? Postmenopausal bleeding is common, but not normal and should be evaluated by a doctor. In this episode, Dr. Ritch reviews the different causes, how we test for them and what to do. ----------------------------------…

When Megan Thee Stallion was talking about Hot Girl Summer, she was not referring to you dripping with sweat from your hot flashes. In this episode, Dr. Ritch reviews options to help you stay cooler this summer. -------------------------------------- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and CLICK HERE to join our mailing list. We'll send y…

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet often doesn’t get as much attention as it does for men. Did you know that hormonal changes throughout life affect our cardiovascular health, especially perimenopause and menopause? Cardiologist and director of the Women’s Cardiac Health Program at Memorial Hospital West, Dr. Kashmira Bhadha,…

Have you heard about Veozah? It’s the new, FDA approved medication for hot flushes and night sweats that is non-hormonal. In this episode, Dr. Ritch discusses this new class of medications, how it works and the risks and benefits. -------------------------------- Subscribe to our mailing list and keep up-to-date with the podcast! Sign up HERE…

Do you have a closet full of beautiful shoes that you can’t stand to wear anymore? Podiatrist, Dr. Jean Holewinski, gives all the details on shoes and feet from bunions to heal pain to stress fractures and more. She shares how to care for your feet, what to look for in a shoe, and when to seek help. ------------------------------------------------ …

Yale and Harvard-trained internist Dr. Dawn Sherling was practicing medicine as she had been taught when she started to develop her own gastrointestinal issues. She traveled to Italy and stumbled on the answer to her own ailments, which made her curious to look deeper. Through research, her own health journey, and working with her uninsured, low-in…

Did you have UTIs (bladder infections) in your 20s that eventually went away, but suddenly they’re back with a vengeance? It’s probably due, at least in part, to perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, Dr. Ritch discusses common causes and solutions for recurrent UTIs. Connect with Dr. Ritch via other platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagr…

Dr. Sherry Pejka started perimenopause in the typical way and then faced multiple challenges of breast cancer, colon cancer and a genetic cancer mutation requiring her to remove her uterus and ovaries. She walks us through her journey and how she is using a plant-based diet and lifestyle modifications to thrive and maintain her health. You won’t wa…

Hormones can affect every part of your body, even your joints! Menopause is not just about hot flushes. Many women are surprised to start having more joint pains in perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, and registered dietitian and fitness instructor, Sydney Nitzkorski, discuss how hormones relate …

When you’re struggling with issues in menopause or you need surgery, it can be tempting to want to “take it all out.” In this episode, Dr. Ritch explains why removing the ovaries is not the best option for most women and how to determine if it’s the right option for you. Join the mailing list here: https://forms.gle/zQhwc9AMHPV3Ut6K6…

I’m 43! Here are some insights on my journey in perimenopause and also my mom’s journey through early perimenopause, HRT, breast cancer, and what she’s doing now. You might want to talk with your mom about it, too!By Jessica Ritch, MD