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Sexual Health, Midlife and South Asian Women: Breaking the Silence

In this episode of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel is joined by Dr. Sadaf Lodhi. Dr Lodhi is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist who has been practicing in New York for over 20 years. Dr. Lodhi’s work is centered around empowering and educating women, with a special focus on sexual health, menopausal care, and intimacy coaching.

She currently runs a concierge medical practice serving patients in New York and also provides telehealth care to women in Michigan. While she supports women across all aspects of female health, her clinical passion lies in helping women navigate midlife, sexuality, and hormonal transitions with confidence and clarity.

Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Lodhi is also the host of The Muslim Sex Podcast, where she explores conversations around intimacy and women’s health in culturally nuanced spaces. You can also find her on Instagram at @drsadafobgyn, where she continues to break stigma and educate women about sexual and menopausal health.

Sexual health in midlife is rarely discussed openly, and when we add the cultural context of South Asian communities, the silence often becomes even deeper. Many women grow up without language around pleasure, intimacy, or the physical changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause.

In this conversation, Dr. Lodhi and Dr. Patel explore how hormonal changes during midlife affect sexual health, including painful intercourse, low libido, and shifts in arousal and pleasure. They also discuss the cultural layers that shape how South Asian women experience and talk about these changes — from normalization of discomfort to hesitation around seeking treatment.

The discussion also examines how cultural expectations, communication patterns within marriages, and longstanding beliefs about modesty and duty can influence whether women seek help or simply endure symptoms.

Importantly, this episode also highlights that many of these concerns are both common and treatable. From vaginal estrogen and lubricants to pelvic floor therapy and improved communication, there are evidence-based options that can significantly improve comfort and sexual well-being.

The episode concludes with practical advice for South Asian women navigating midlife sexuality and reflections on whether the next generation may be entering menopause with a more open understanding of sexual health.

This conversation aims to break stigma, provide clarity, and remind women that sexual health is an important part of overall health.

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The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

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Episode 27: Hormone Therapy After Breast Cancer: What Does the Evidence Say?

In Episode 27 of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel is joined by Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified OB-GYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and a 24-year breast cancer survivor, to explore one of the most complex and emotionally charged topics in menopause care: hormone therapy after breast cancer.

For many women, surviving breast cancer is only part of the journey. The very treatments that save lives can abruptly trigger menopause — often with severe hot flashes, sleep disruption, anxiety, sexual pain, vaginal dryness, and profound changes in quality of life. Yet when it comes to hormone therapy, the conversation often ends quickly with a simple and definitive “no.”

But is the evidence truly that black and white?

In this thoughtful and evidence-based discussion, Dr. Menn helps us unpack:

• The difference between ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer
• Why estrogen is intentionally lowered or blocked in certain cancers
• How chemotherapy, ovarian suppression, tamoxifen, and aromatase inhibitors induce menopause
• The difference between tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors — and why it matters
• The real-world impact of abrupt, treatment-induced menopause
• The history behind avoiding systemic hormone therapy
• The HABITS and Stockholm trials — what they showed and why their results differed
• Whether the safety discussion differs for women on tamoxifen versus aromatase inhibitors
• The severity of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in breast cancer survivors
• What the evidence says about low-dose vaginal estrogen after breast cancer
• How to approach nuanced, individualized risk–benefit discussions

Dr. Menn brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to this conversation as a breast cancer survivor and BRCA carrier. Through her telehealth practice and educational platform, she focuses on menopause management and the unique healthcare needs of female cancer survivors and women at high risk for breast cancer.

This episode reinforces an essential message: the answer is not simplistic. It depends on receptor status, type of endocrine therapy, timing, symptom severity, and individual risk. Most importantly, it requires informed, shared decision-making.

Breast cancer survivors deserve not only longevity — they deserve quality of life.

You can follow Dr. Corinne Menn on Instagram at @drmennobgyn, where she shares thoughtful, evidence-based insights on menopause and survivorship care.

As always, this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for personalized guidance.

Join us for this important and nuanced conversation.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

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In this powerful episode of the MenopauseWize podcast, we’re joined by one of the most influential voices in the menopause space—Dr. Louise Newson. Based in the UK, Dr. Newson is a physician, women's hormone specialist, and a member of the UK Government’s Menopause Taskforce. She is widely credited with revolutionizing the conversation around hormone health, challenging outdated narratives, and helping women reclaim informed choice through education and empowerment.

Together, we tackle the most common fears and misconceptions that continue to create confusion around Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) / Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)—for both women and their healthcare providers. From the lingering shadows of the WHI study to myths about family history, cancer risk, and "natural" alternatives, this episode breaks down complex science into clear, accessible guidance.

Key Questions We Explore:

• “Hormone therapy causes breast cancer”—what does the evidence really say?
• What about women who say they’re “doing fine” and don’t need hormones?
• Are “natural remedies” safer than regulated body-identical HRT?
• Can calcium and vitamins alone protect your bones in menopause?
• Why is waiting 12 months post-period to start HRT an outdated idea?
• Do you only need hormone therapy if symptoms are “severe”?
• What role does testosterone play in women’s health?
  
  

Whether you’re a woman navigating menopause or a clinician seeking to better support your patients, this episode offers a science-backed, stigma-free look at why hormone therapy deserves a place in the conversation—and often, in the care plan.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

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In this episode of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel is joined by Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, orthopaedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, Associate Professor at Duke University School of Medicine, and author of The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan, for an in-depth conversation on bone health during menopause.

Bone loss begins silently — often years before a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis is made. Many women only discover an issue after a fracture or a low T-score on a DEXA scan. So what is really happening inside our bones during the menopause transition?

Dr. Wittstein walks us through:

• What estrogen does to bone — and what happens when levels decline
• The difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis
• Why hormone therapy is FDA-approved for prevention but not treatment
• The role of bisphosphonates and other osteoporosis medications
• Whether you can transition from MHT to other osteoporosis drugs later in life
• How we actually know if treatment is working

This episode explores the nuance behind bone prevention versus bone treatment — and why timing, risk profile, and long-term planning matter.

As Dr. Wittstein writes in her book:
“Good health isn't a gift… it's an accomplishment.”

If you care about long-term strength, fracture prevention, and ageing well, this conversation is essential listening.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

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Diagnosing Perimenopause: Practical Clarity in a Foggy Transition

In this episode of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel is joined by Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, a renowned OB-GYN, menopause expert, and advocate for women’s midlife health, to unpack one of the most overlooked and misunderstood stages of a woman’s life: perimenopause.

Despite affecting millions of women, perimenopause is still frequently missed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed. Many women are told their symptoms are due to stress, anxiety, aging, or lifestyle, often after being reassured that their blood tests are “normal.” In this conversation, Dr. Gilberg-Lenz explains why perimenopause is fundamentally a clinical diagnosis, not a lab diagnosis, and why relying on hormone levels alone can lead to delayed care and unnecessary suffering.

Together, we explore how fluctuating hormones drive a wide range of symptoms, from irregular periods and sleep disruption to mood changes, brain fog, weight shifts, and changes in sexual health. Dr. Gilberg-Lenz shares how clinicians can recognize perimenopause earlier, what questions truly matter in the consultation room, and how validating a woman’s experience is often the first and most powerful step in care.

This episode is essential listening for women who suspect they may be in perimenopause and for healthcare providers who want to diagnose earlier, listen better, and offer more effective, evidence-based support.

Key Topics Covered:

• What perimenopause really is and why it is so commonly missed
• Why blood tests often fail to diagnose perimenopause
• The wide and often unexpected symptoms of hormonal fluctuation
• How to take a symptom-based, clinical approach to diagnosis
• Common myths that delay care for midlife women
• When to start conversations about treatment and support
• Why early recognition can change a woman’s quality of life

This episode empowers women to trust their symptoms, ask better questions, and seek care that reflects the realities of midlife hormonal change.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

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In this episode of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel sits down with Dr. Shafeena Premji, a nationally recognized menopause expert and founder of multiple women-centered clinics in Calgary, including the upcoming Milestone Menopause Centre of Southern Alberta. Known for her ability to translate evidence into compassionate, accessible care, Dr. Premji helps us unpack one of the biggest regulatory shifts in women’s health in years: the FDA’s removal of the Black Box Warning from estrogen products.

For decades, the Black Box Warning shaped public perception, prescribing patterns, and women’s fear of hormone therapy. But what exactly was this warning? Why was it applied broadly to all estrogen formulations, from low-dose vaginal estrogen to systemic hormone therapy? And now that the warning is being removed from all estrogen products, what does this change actually mean for women, for clinicians, and for safer, evidence-based menopause care?

Dr. Premji brings clarity to the science, explains the differences between systemic and vaginal estrogen, discusses age and timing of initiation, and offers practical guidance for women who are wondering how to interpret this shift.

Whether you're a clinician navigating counselling conversations or a woman seeking accurate information amidst the noise, this episode will equip you with the facts, the nuance, and the confidence to make informed decisions about hormone therapy in midlife and beyond.

Key Topics Covered:
• What the original Black Box Warning said and why it was created
• The impact of the warning on women’s health, care access, and stigma
• Why the FDA removed the warning and what this reflects about updated evidence
• Differences between systemic and low-dose vaginal estrogen
• How dose, route, and timing influence safety
• What this regulatory shift means for women
• Practical considerations for clinicians and patients
• How to balance evidence, nuance, and individualized care

Tune in for a clear, evidence-based conversation that cuts through fear and confusion.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

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Episode 23: Brain Fog Demystified — Hormones, Memory, and Midlife Clarity

In Episode 23 of the MenopauseWize podcast, we sit down with Dr. Alison Shea to demystify one of the most talked-about — and misunderstood — symptoms of menopause: brain fog. Dr. Shea is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Psychiatry at McMaster University. She completed her fellowship in Menopause and Reproductive Mental Health, and her residency in ObGyn at the University of Toronto. She is a board member for the Canadian Menopause Society, a Menopause Society certified practitioner and the Chair of their examination committee, responsible for certifying North American Menopause Practitioners. You can find her sharing evidenced-based content on Instagram @hormone.md.hamilton.

Many women describe feeling “not as sharp,” forgetting names, or losing track of thoughts during midlife. But what’s really happening in the brain during this transition? Dr. Shea helps us understand how hormonal changes, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, and mood shifts that influence memory and focus — and why these changes are real, common, and often frustrating.

We explore what science tells us about estrogen’s role in cognition, and how to separate everyday forgetfulness from early signs of something more serious. Dr. Shea also shares practical, evidence-based strategies to support brain health, including lifestyle, exercise, sleep, and heart health.

This episode is all about clarity — both in the science and in how women can feel more confident about their cognitive health in midlife and beyond.

Key Topics Covered:

• What “brain fog” really means — and why it happens during menopause
• The connection between estrogen, memory, and attention
• How sleep, mood, and hot flashes affect cognitive performance
• Whether hormone therapy helps with brain fog
• Everyday steps to protect and improve brain health

Join us as we clear the fog — one insight at a time — and empower women to trust their minds again.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.

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In this episode of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel speaks with Parul Sheth, a Habit Coach, about how small, consistent steps can create lasting lifestyle transformations — especially in midlife.

An architect turned endurance athlete, Parul shares how a simple habit of running changed the trajectory of her life — from the way she thought, worked, and parented, to how she now helps others design sustainable wellness routines. Together, we explore what it really takes to form new habits, why motivation often fades, and how discipline, self-compassion, and micro-actions can make all the difference.

This episode dives deep into:

• Why small steps can trigger big, lasting change.
• How to start a new habit (and what to do when you fall off).
• The truth behind the “21-day habit” myth.
• The power of mindset and self-belief in midlife transformation.
• What the upcoming 5ForMe initiative is all about — and how it can help women in midlife build five daily habits that nurture mind, body, and spirit.

Support the show

The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.