Pop the confetti—it’s a landmark moment for women’s health! In this celebratory and vital episode of The Dusty Muffins, our expert trio—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—break down the FDA’s historic removal of the black box warning from estrogen products and what it really means for you.

For decades, flawed science cast a shadow of fear over hormone therapy, sidelining millions from safe, effective treatment. No more. The docs dive into the past, present, and future of menopause care with clarity and conviction. In this episode, you’ll discover:

📦 Why the "Black Box" Was All Wrong: How outdated, problematic studies created decades of unnecessary fear and confusion around estrogen.

🛡️ The Gold Standard for GSM: Why local (vaginal) estrogen is not only safe but should be the first line of defense for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), including urinary symptoms.

💊 Your Body, Your Blueprint: The critical importance of individualized hormone therapy—because one-size-fits-all never worked.

🗣️ Your Right to Better Care: How to advocate for yourself with a healthcare system still catching up on the latest evidence, and why you should never settle for dismissive care.

🔮 The Future is Nuanced: How women’s health is evolving beyond just hormones to include holistic, evidence-based practices that prioritize your quality of life.

Tune in for an empowering episode that turns a bureaucratic update into a rallying cry for smarter, fearless, and personalized healthcare.

The Dusty Muffins:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins

Hosts:

👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc

👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo

👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp

Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Navigating the intersection of menopause and breast health can be confusing and fraught with misinformation. In this essential episode of The Dusty Muffins, our specialist trio—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—sit down with breast health expert Dr. Sabrina Sahni, M.D., to bring clarity and confidence to this critical topic.

This is a deep dive into the facts you need to make empowered decisions for your body. They tackle outdated myths, highlight the latest evidence, and provide a clear path forward for personalized care. In this episode, you’ll discover:

🔬 PEt & Breast Health: The Real Story: Cutting through the fear and misconceptions surrounding hormone therapy and its risks, based on current evidence-based practices.

📄 The Critical Role of Breast Density: Why your mammogram report’s mention of "dense breasts" is a key piece of your health puzzle and how it impacts your screening needs.

🧬 Who Needs Genetic Testing? A clear guide on understanding your family history and when to consider genetic testing for breast cancer risk.

🎓 The Education Gap: Why many clinicians are still misinformed about menopause management and how you can advocate for better, more nuanced care.

💪 Your Health, Your Voice: Practical strategies for becoming your own best advocate, ensuring your quality of life is a top priority in every medical decision.

The Dusty Muffins:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins

Hosts:

👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc

👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo

👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp

Guest – Dr. Sabrina Sahni:

🌐 Mayo Clinic Profile → https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/sahni-sabrina-m-d/bio-20509454

📸 Instagram → @sabrinaksahnimd

Tune in for an episode that replaces anxiety with actionable knowledge, empowering you to take control of your health during midlife and beyond.

Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

A new generation is changing the conversation around menopause, and this episode is your front-row seat! The specialist trio of The Dusty Muffins—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—are joined by author and women's advocate Lauren Tetenbaum for a powerful discussion on taking control of your health journey.

This conversation is all about action, access, and advocacy. They tackle how to build a proactive plan for menopause and why a unified front is the future of effective treatment. In this episode, you’ll discover:

🔑 Knowledge as Your Key: How arming yourself with information is the ultimate form of empowerment, transforming you from a passive patient into an informed advocate for your own care.

🩺 The Power of the Dream Team: Why the best menopause care isn't a solo mission, but a collaborative effort that can involve your doctor, a coach, and your entire support network.

🚫 Smashing the Stigma: The importance of breaking generational silence and having open, honest conversations to normalize this universal life transition.

🌟 The Generational Shift: How millennials are proactively preparing, asking tough questions, and demanding better, more personalized healthcare options than ever before.

💼 From Personal to Professional: How Lauren’s own journey fueled her mission to educate and empower women through writing, training, and advocacy.

The Dusty Muffins:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins

Hosts:

👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc

👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo

👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp

Guest – Lauren Tetenbaum (The Counselaur):

🌐 Website → https://thecounselaur.com

📸 Instagram → @thecounselaur

Tune in for an energizing and strategic episode that will leave you feeling equipped, supported, and ready to demand the care you deserve.

Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Ready to cut through the confusion and get the real scoop on hormone therapy? In this powerhouse episode of The Dusty Muffins, our specialist trio—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—break down everything you need to know about navigating menopause with knowledge, humor, and confidence.

This is your ultimate field guide to the change, straight from the experts who live and breathe this stuff. They’re demystifying the science and sharing the practical tips you won't always get from a rushed doctor's appointment. In this episode, you’ll discover:

💊 Your Hormone Therapy Menu: A clear breakdown of the options—from patches and gels to pills—and how to figure out what might be right for YOU.

🔬 Bioidentical Explained: What this term actually means and how these hormones differ from what your body produces naturally.

📊 Why Tracking is Everything: How logging your symptoms is the first step to taking control of your menopause journey and having productive conversations with your doctor.

🩺 Be Your Own Advocate: Why many doctors aren't menopause experts and the crucial questions you need to ask to get the care you deserve.

❤️ The Lube Lowdown: Straight talk on vaginal estrogen and why lube isn't a luxury, it's a necessity for comfort and intimacy.

Tune in for an episode that’s equal parts science class, support group, and comedy hour. Consider this your official permission slip to ask questions, demand better, and thrive through menopause.

The Dusty Muffins:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins

Hosts:

👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc

👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo

👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp

Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Feeling unlike yourself? You're not alone, and it's not your fault. In this crucial episode of The Dusty Muffins, our expert trio—Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—delve deep into the mental and emotional whirlwind of perimenopause and menopause.

This is the conversation that validates what so many women feel but are often told to just "push through." The docs break down the powerful science behind why your brain feels like it's betraying you and what you can actually do about it. In this episode, you’ll discover:

🧠 The Hormone-Mind Connection: The scientific link between fluctuating hormones and very real mood changes, anxiety, and depression.

💊 Beyond the Prescription Pad: Why SSRIs aren't always the answer and when addressing the hormonal root cause is the key to effective treatment.

📝 The Meno-D Questionnaire: Learn about this essential tool that helps clinicians identify menopause-related mood disorders—so you can get the right diagnosis.

⚡ ADHD Unmasked: How the hormonal shifts of menopause can suddenly unmask or exacerbate ADHD symptoms in women who never struggled before.

❤️ Your Mental Health is Health: Actionable steps for self-care, open communication, and prioritizing your well-being during this transformative transition.

Tune in for an episode that offers validation, clarity, and hope. It's time to stop blaming yourself and start empowering yourself.

The Dusty Muffins:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins

Hosts:

👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc

👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo

👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp

Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Crank up the volume and get ready to smash the stigma! The dynamic trio of Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) are joined by filmmaker and revolutionary Alicia J. Rose to dive into the explosive documentary and movement known as Menopunks.

This isn't just a film -it's a full-throttle, mic-drop moment for midlife health. Alicia discusses how she's turning a whisper network into a scream, using the raw power of punk rock and unfiltered stories to demand what's been denied for decades: access, autonomy, and the right to thrive. In this episode, you’ll discover:

🎸 The Birth of a Movement: How Menopunks is shattering decades of silence and misinformation with a fierce lineup of musicians, medical experts, and celebrities.

💥 More Than a Documentary: Why this project is a radical act of reclaiming power, challenging the status quo, and fighting for hormonal optimization for all.

🔬 Debunking the Myths: An inside look at how the film tackles persistent falsehoods surrounding HRT head-on with explosive interviews and scientific truth.

🎬 Art as Activism: The transformative power of sharing vulnerable, real-time stories from artists navigating peri/menopause and the creative process.

✊ Your Invitation to Revolt: How to join the movement demanding respect, proper care, and the unstoppable power that comes with being seen and heard.

Tune in for an episode that is as empowering as it is enlightening. This is the sound of a revolution, and The Dusty Muffins are here for it.

Social Media Links:

The Dusty Muffins:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins

Hosts:

👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc

👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo

👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp

Guest – Menopunks / Alicia J. Rose:

🌐 Website → https://www.menopunks.com

📸 Instagram → @menopunks

Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Have your tissues ready and get ready for an episode packed with passion, truth, and a whole lot of laughs! The dynamic trio of Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) are joined by Australian journalist, powerhouse advocate, and self-proclaimed "Peri Godmother" Shelly Horton.

Shelly opens up about the moment perimenopause nearly ended her career and how it ignited a fire in her to break the silence. This is a raw, honest, and deeply empowering conversation that moves from personal struggle to collective action. In this episode, you’ll discover:

🎤 From Newsroom to Revolution: How a high-profile TV journalist became a leading voice in the menopause movement after hitting her own breaking point.

📚 Your Best Defense is Knowledge: Practical advice on how to arm yourself with information and confidently advocate for the care you deserve.

🩺 Doctor Shopping is Self-Care: Why you should never settle for a dismissive doctor and how to build your personal "dream team" of healthcare providers.

🗣️ Breaking Generational Silence: The importance of sharing our stories to shatter the stigma so future generations won't have to suffer in silence.

💥 Laughs, Tears, and Truth: A conversation that perfectly captures the rollercoaster of perimenopause, proving that humor and hope are essential survival tools.

Tune in for an episode that is as inspiring as it is informative. Consider this your official permission slip to demand better for your health and your life.

The Dusty Muffins:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins

Hosts:

👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan → https://www.instagram.com/portlandmenopausedoc

👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → https://www.instagram.com/drrebbeccaherteldo

👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → https://www.instagram.com/christinehartkress_dnp

Guest – Shelly Horton:

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/ShellyHorton

📸 Instagram → @shellyhorton1

📚 Book → https://geni.us/ImYourPeriGodmother

Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they’re not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Get ready for a transformative and deeply personal episode of The Dusty Muffins! Join Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) as they sit down with Gabriella Espinosa, women's health coach and host of the "Pleasure in the Pause" podcast, for a candid conversation about reigniting pleasure and rediscovering yourself during the menopause transition.

This is more than just a talk about hormones—it's about reclaiming your power, your pleasure, and your identity. Gabriella shares her powerful journey of midlife awakening and how she turned menopause into an opportunity for profound personal growth. In this episode, you'll discover:

🌹 The Art of Self-Pleasure: How Gabriella redefined self-love as an act of devotion, breaking through cultural barriers to reconnect with her body and desires.

🔄 Rewriting Your Story: Why it's essential to move beyond societal "scripts" about sexuality and focus on what brings you joy right now.

🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness & Intimacy: Practical ways to integrate nervous system regulation and mindfulness practices to enhance your connection with yourself and your partner.

💫 Midlife as an Upgrade: How to approach menopause as an invitation to become the wisest, strongest, and most empowered version of yourself.

🔥 Keeping the Spark Alive: Insights from Gabriella's own journey of rediscovering attraction and intimacy with her husband through mentorship and exploration.

Tune in for an episode that's equal parts inspiring, practical, and liberating. If you're ready to embrace this chapter of your life with confidence and curiosity, this conversation is for you!

The Dusty Muffins:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedustymuffins

🔗 Linktree → https://linktr.ee/thedustymuffins

Hosts:

👩⚕️ Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan → @portlandmenopausedoc

👩⚕️ Dr. Rebbecca Hertel → @drrebbeccaherteldo

👩⚕️ Dr. Christine Hart Kress → @christinehartkress_dnp

Guest – Gabriella Espinosa:

📸 Instagram → @gabriellaespinosa

🌐 Website → https://www.pleasureinthepause.com

Disclaimer: The Dusty Muffins are doctors, but they're not YOUR doctors. This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your own healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.