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Perimenopause affects your oral health in surprising ways, creating symptoms like dry mouth, bleeding gums, and persistent bad breath due to changing estrogen levels in your body.

• Estrogen receptors exist throughout the body, including the mouth, affecting salivary glands, gum tissue, and jawbone
• Decreased estrogen can cause dry mouth, bleeding gums despite good hygiene, and unexplained bad breath
• Symptoms often start during perimenopause but become more consistent and noticeable after menopause
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help improve oral health symptoms for some women
• Regular dental visits with x-rays are crucial to detect early bone loss and gum changes
• Using fluoride toothpaste, xylitol products, and pH-balancing mouth rinses can help manage symptoms
• Carry Free mouth rinse combines fluoride, xylitol and pH elevators to combat bacteria and increase saliva flow
• Many dentists may not connect oral symptoms to perimenopause, so patients should initiate the conversation
• Supporting oral health includes eating well and taking supplements like calcium and vitamin D

Join our private Facebook group, the Pause Diaries, where almost 700 women share their menopause experiences in an honest, supportive community.

Loved this conversation? Let’s keep it going.
Join our private Facebook group, The Pause Diaries, where we dive deeper into all things perimenopause and menopause—without judgment, just real talk.

If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend or colleague. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Pause Podcast—your support helps us bring more expert voices to the table.

Got a story, symptom, or question? Send it my way at by posting it our Facebook Group The Pause Diaries that supports the podcast.

I just might feature it in an upcoming episode!

Until next time, stay curious, stay empowered, and never hit pause on your wellbeing.

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The FDA is considering removing the black box warning from low-dose vaginal estrogen products following a unanimous opinion from an expert advisory panel that risks have been overstated for years.

• Vaginal estrogen is a local, low-dose treatment that stays in the vagina with minimal systemic absorption
• The black box warning came from the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study that incorrectly applied systemic hormone risks to all estrogen products
• 72% of sepsis cases in older women could potentially be prevented with vaginal estrogen use
• Vaginal estrogen helps restore tissue elasticity, prevent UTIs, and protect the urethra
• Even women on systemic hormone therapy may need vaginal estrogen as the "vagina is her own little desert island"
• Application tip: use your finger to swirl the cream around rather than just using the applicator to prevent leakage
• Treatment regimen is typically twice weekly (like "Monday and Thursday vagina spa nights")
• Results may take up to three months to be fully noticeable
• Removing the warning could help more women access this beneficial treatment

Join us in our private Facebook group, the Pause Diaries, a safe, supportive space where we talk openly about perimenopause, menopause, and all the changes that come with it.

Loved this conversation? Let’s keep it going.
Join our private Facebook group, The Pause Diaries, where we dive deeper into all things perimenopause and menopause—without judgment, just real talk.

If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend or colleague. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Pause Podcast—your support helps us bring more expert voices to the table.

Got a story, symptom, or question? Send it my way at by posting it our Facebook Group The Pause Diaries that supports the podcast.

I just might feature it in an upcoming episode!

Until next time, stay curious, stay empowered, and never hit pause on your wellbeing.