Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information: Menopause, Midlife, and More

• S4 Ep178: The Impact of Hormone Therapy on DCIS with Dr. Swati Kulkarni

  Women are generally told that if they have a breast cancer diagnosis, they should steer clear of estrogen. In this episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Swati Kulkarni, the lead investigator of a new study in which women with a newly diagnosed breast ductal carcinoma in situ, DCIS, were given a month’s worth of hormone therapy before standard treatment to see the impact it would have on developing cancer cells.  What DCIS is and how it is typically diagnosed. If DCIS is considered to be a pre-cancer or a cancer If DCIS is untreated, how often it will progress to invasive cancer  If treated, how often women with DCIS go on to develop invasive cancer?  Why this particular form of hormone therapy, conjugated estrogens and bazodoxifene (Duovee™) was used in the study The details of the study The results of the study  The Promise Study: A presurgical randomized clinical trial of CE/BZA vs placebo in postmenopausal women with ductal carcinoma in situ. Link to Abstract My summary of the study on Substack https://drstreicher.substack.com/p/can-hormone-therapy-shrink-breast Link to Kagan episode on Duovee with Dr. Kagan Episode 124 All Hormones Are Not Created Equal with Dr. James Simon Dr. Streicher is on SUBSTACK      DrStreicher.Substack.com Articles Monthly newsletter All COME AGAIN podcast episodes Monthly News Flash Reports on recent research  Monthly Zoom Ask Me Anything Webinar  Information on Dr. Streicher's COME AGAIN Podcast- Sexuality and Orgasm https://drstreicher.substack.com/p/all-about-come-again Lauren Streicher MD, is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society. She is the Medical Director of Community Education and Outreach for Midi Health.   Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.    LINKS Subscribe To Dr. Streicher’s Substack Information About the COME AGAIN Podcast Dr. Streicher’s CV and additional bio information To Find a Menopause Clinician and Other Resources  Glossary Of Medical Terminology BOOKS by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy                                       Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information podcast is for education and information and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.                                     

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• S4 Ep177: CANCER: Misinformation and Misleading "Science" with Shikha Jain MD

  Do cell phones cause brain cancer?  Does using an antiperspirant increase the risk of breast cancer? Does fluoride in the water increase the risk of bone cancer? Is the HPV vaccine lifesaving or dangerous?  In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Shikha Jain, an academic hematologist and oncologist. We start by busting cancer myths and then move on to discuss the impact of the “Make America Healthy Again Movement” (MAHA)on cancer care and cancer research, and why the rationale behind the MAHA movement is FLAWED and DANGEROUS.  Which of the following is associated with getting cancer or spreading cancer Biopsies Specific viruses Consuming sugar  Mammograms Living near a Power line Cell phones  Deodorant and antiperspirants  Microplastics  Microwaving  If surgery to remove a cancerous growth spreads the cancer? Estrogen- birth control pills, local estrogen, systemic estrogen The impact of current political policies on cancer treatment and research Obesity Processed food HPV vaccine Fluoride in the water The financial incentive behind the MAHA movement Why placebo-controlled trials are not always used in research, and would be dangerous Defunding of NIH Cancer Research, including labs and clinical trials The US Brain Drain  Over 9.5 billion dollars, representing over 2000 NIH grants, have been terminated.  In the links below, expand the abstract column to see the details of the research.      List of NIH grants that have been defunded      https://airtable.com/appjhyo9NTvJLocRy/shrNto1NNp9eJlgpA?        Ffj6Q%3Aview=plasNjSudszRmPvEo&Ffj6Q=allRecords      List of NIH Cancer Research that Has Been Defunded     https://airtable.com/appjhyo9NTvJLocRy/shrNto1NNp9eJlgpA?Ffj6Q=sfsqqf7AYxKbZi37s&Ffj6Q%3Aview=plasNjSudszRmPvEo Dr. Shikha Jain, MD, FACP, is a board-certified oncologist, national health media contributor, and founder of Women in Medicine®. She’s a tenured associate professor at the University of Illinois and was named Illinois Physician Leader of the Year, one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Emerging Leaders, and a Medscape Rising Star in Medicine. Through her clinical work, national advocacy, and powerful storytelling, Dr. Jain is transforming how we think about medicine, leadership, and the future of healthcare. https://www.wimedicine.org/ https://www.wimedicine.org/wim-summit https://shikhajainmd.com/                                How to Know an Expert is an Expert Episode 157: How to Find a Clinician that’s Not Clueless Substack Posts A Guide to Finding a Menopause Clinician That’s Not Clueless Let’s Play…Is Your Doctor Really a Menopause Expert? Dr. Streicher is on SUBSTACK      DrStreicher.Substack.com Articles Monthly newsletter All COME AGAIN podcast episodes Monthly News Flash Reports on recent research  Monthly Zoom Ask Me Anything Webinar Information on Dr. Streicher's COME AGAIN Podcast- Sexuality and Orgasm   Lauren Streicher MD, is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society. She is the Medical Director of Community Education and Outreach for Midi Health.   Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.    LINKS Subscribe To Dr. Streicher’s Substack Information About the COME AGAIN Podcast Dr. Streicher’s CV and additional bio information To Find a Menopause Clinician and Other Resources  Glossary Of Medical Terminology Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy                                      Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information podcast is for education and information and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.               

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• S4 Ep176: FOOD and BRAIN Health with Dr. Annie Fenn

  When it comes to the risk of developing dementia, family history is a factor, but it is far from the only factor. It is well known that physical activity, social isolation, smoking, alcohol, medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or being hard of hearing, all impact the risk of developing dementia down the road. In this episode, I explore the relationship between what you eat and brain health with Dr. Annie Fenn, the author of The Brain Health KITCHEN, Preventing Alzheimer’s through Food.  WHY food impacts the brain  What foods should be avoided What foods are neuroprotective                                                        Annie Fenn, MD Dr. Fenn’s Substack: Brain Health Kitchen. Dr. Fenn is offering a 25% discount on annual subscriptions to her Substack until June 1  with this link-25% off BHK The Brain Health Kitchen: Preventing Alzheimer's Through Food by Annie Fenn, MD @Artisan Books 2023.  Dr. Fenn’s Brain Health Retreats Brain Health Kitchen Retreats Link to the cookie recipe we discussed: Chunky Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookie. It can also be found in the Whole Grain chapter of the  Brain Health Kitchen Dr. Fenn’s information on supplements with discount codes (Dr. Fenn has no financial relationship with these companies.)  The BHK Guide To Brain Health Supplements Magnesium Supplements A To Z  Relevate, the brain health multi Dr. Fenn recommends-Use ANNIE25 for 25% off Dr. Streicher's retreat in Sardinia- Sept 7-14, 2025 https://www.hermedicine.org/her-travel-club-sardinia-invite (Very limited spots left) Dr. Streicher is on SUBSTACK      DrStreicher.Substack.com Articles Monthly newsletter All COME AGAIN podcast episodes Monthly News Flash Reports on recent research  Monthly Zoom Ask Me Anything Webinar  Information on Dr. Streicher's COME AGAIN Podcast- Sexuality and Orgasm   Lauren Streicher MD, is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society. She is the Medical Director of Community Education and Outreach for Midi Health.   Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.    LINKS Subscribe To Dr. Streicher’s Substack Information About the COME AGAIN Podcast Dr. Streicher’s CV and additional bio information To Find a Menopause Clinician and Other Resources  Glossary Of Medical Terminology Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy                                      Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information podcast is for education and information and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.                                     

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• S4 Ep175: Your BONES On and Off ESTROGEN

  When women think about the benefits of menopausal hormone therapy, things like hot flashes, insomnia and vaginal dryness come to mind.  But for many women, bone health is, or should be, at the top of the list.   In this episode, I speak with Dr. Risa Kagan about the role of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in bone health. Definition of Low Bone Mass (Osteopenia) and Osteoporosis The Difference Between a T score and a Z score  FRAX- Fracture Risk Assessment Tool When Bone Mass Peaks How to Maximize Bone Health Before Menopause Hits Role of Estrogen in Young Women The Danger Zone- When Most Women Lose the Majority of Their Bone Mass The Role of Birth Control Pills and Prevention of Bone Loss If Exercise is Enough The Relationship Between Hot Flashes and Osteoporosis Bone Loss Post Menopause Impact of Menopausal Estrogen Therapy on Bones Taking Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) in the Absence of Hot Flashes to Protect Bones The Difference Between Bone Density and Bone Quality When it is Appropriate to Take an Anabolic Agent If the TYPE of Estrogen you take matters (Conjugated, Synthetic, Bioidentical) What DOSE of Estrogen is Needed to Prevent Fractures If it is Appropriate to Monitor Estradiol Blood Levels When Taking Transdermal MHT The Target Estradiol Level for Bone Health What Happens to Bone Density When MHT is Discontinued If MHT Should Be Taken Forever If Progestogens Plays a Role in Bone Health The Role of Bazodoxifene (Duovee™) in Bone Health The Role of TESTOSTERONE therapy in Bone Health Another Podcast with Dr. Kagan: When Progesterone is a Problem   Dr. Risa Kagan is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California San Francisco, and a consulting gynecologist with Sutter Health. Dr. Kagan has published over 100 scientific papers  on post menopause bone health and hormone therapy.  Dr. Streicher is on SUBSTACK      DrStreicher.Substack.com Articles Monthly newsletter All COME AGAIN podcast episodes Monthly News Flash Reports on recent research  Monthly Zoom Ask Me Anything Webinar   Information on Dr. Streicher's COME AGAIN Podcast- Sexuality and Orgasm Lauren Streicher MD, is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society. She is the Medical Director of Community Education and Outreach for Midi Health.   Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.    LINKS Subscribe To Dr. Streicher’s Substack Information About the COME AGAIN Podcast Dr. Streicher’s CV and additional bio information To Find a Menopause Clinician and Other Resources  Glossary Of Medical Terminology Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy                                       Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information podcast is for education and information and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.              

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• S4 Ep174: Is Your Transdermal ESTROGEN... Getting ABSORBED?

  Transdermal estrogen in the form of a patch, gel, or cream is often the preferred delivery method for menopausal hormone therapy. Unlike oral estrogen, in addition to other advantages, transdermal estrogen does not increase the risk of blood clots.  But a new study, published in the journal Menopause, indicates that your transdermal estrogen… may not be doing what you think it’s doing. Today, I am speaking with one of the authors of that study, Dr. Louise Newson.  My Substack post summarizing the study:  https://drstreicher.substack.com/p/is-your-estrogen-patch-gel-or-spray?r=740mq Link to article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39689249/ We discuss: The advantages of transdermal estrogen The realization that blood levels of transdermal estrogen may be below what is expected What the study looked at Results of the study What factors may cause decreased absorption of transdermal estrogen Why decreased levels of estrogen are problematic Ways to maximize absorption Options if serum estrogen levels are low on standard doses of transdermal estrogen Concerns of using a higher than standard dose The pushback in the UK regarding Dr. Newson’s work If it should be routine to measure blood levels of estrogen if using a transdermal product For more information on Dr. Newson, visit DrLouise Newson.com Dr. Streicher is on SUBSTACK      DrStreicher.Substack.com Articles Monthly newsletter All COME AGAIN podcast episodes Monthly News Flash Reports on recent research  Monthly Zoom Ask Me Anything Webinar Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society. She is the Medical Director of Community Education and Outreach for Midi Health.     Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.       Links: Subscribe To Dr. Streicher’s Substack Information About the COME AGAIN Podcast Dr. Streicher’s CV and additional bio information Glossary Of Medical Terminology Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain    Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy                                      To Find a Menopause Clinician Midi Health   www.Joinmidi.com Midi Health is a telehealth company that provides high-level menopause care and takes insurance in all 50 states. Dr. Streicher is Midi’s Medical Director of Education and Community Outreach and is familiar with their medical protocols, which are all regularly updated and set by the top academic menopause experts in the country.    The Menopause Society- Certified Menopause Practitioner List Menopause.org To find a menopause practitioner: https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx Put in your zip code and designate NCMP or CMSP to get a certified menopause practitioner. While all people on this list have passed a competency examination, Dr. Streicher does not vouch for every one of these clinicians. Most are excellent. Major Medical Centers It also may be helpful to check with major medical centers in your area. Many have menopause clinics or lists of doctors who have an interest and expertise in menopause.        Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information podcast is for education and information and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.    

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