Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes women's health expert Amanda Thebe to discuss the often-overlooked topic of menopause and perimenopause. Amanda shares her personal journey and expertise as the author of "Menopocalypse" and Canada's first menopause workplace educator. Amanda Thebe is a Fitness and Women’s Health Expert with nearly thirty years of experience in the fitness industry, she is the author of the Amazon best-selling book, Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too! She is the co-founder and Chief Branding and Growth Officer at Nyah Health, a complete healthcare solution for menopausal women in Canada. As Canada’s first menopause workplace educator, Amanda provides on-site or virtual educational presentations in the workplace to improve productivity, retention and attendance for female employees through menopause. Amanda is a popular guest on podcasts, radio, tv and online summits, and her health and fitness tips have been featured in media outlets like Oprah, Shape, Prevention, Health Line, CBC Radio, Global News Canada, The Doctors, and many more. She recently spoke at TEDx with a funny, informative and deeply personal talk entitled, Should Men Talk About Menopause? She lives in Toronto, Ontario.    

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Personal Experience & Background
  • Amanda's journey began as a personal trainer and nutrition coach
  • At age 42, she experienced unexpected perimenopause symptoms
  • Spent two years seeking medical help before getting proper diagnosis
  • Built a large menopause community and became an advocate
Common Misconceptions & Symptoms
  • Perimenopause can start in late 30s/early 40s
  • Average age of menopause is 51
  • Perimenopause can last 8-10 years
  • 34+ recognized symptoms including:
    • Neurological symptoms (migraines, brain fog)
    • Memory issues
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Physical symptoms beyond hot flashes
Treatment Options
  • Hormone therapy (FDA-approved options)
  • Bio-identical hormones (regulated and unregulated)
  • Non-hormonal medications
  • Caution about unregulated supplements
  • Importance of finding the right healthcare provider
Workplace Impact
  • One in five women consider leaving work due to symptoms
  • Productivity and attendance challenges
  • Need for better workplace understanding and support
  • Economic impact of inadequate menopause care
Moving Forward
  • Growing awareness and advocacy
  • Importance of early education about menopause
  • Challenging stigma and negative stereotypes
  • Focus on post-menopausal strength and wisdom

IMPORTANT TIMECODES FROM THE EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Behind the Bite
  • 00:56 Today's Topic: Menopause
  • 01:12 Guest Introduction: Amanda Thieb
  • 02:58 Amanda's Journey with Menopause
  • 05:23 Understanding Perimenopause and Symptoms
  • 16:37 Navigating Hormone Therapy Options
  • 23:26 The Importance of Education and Advocacy
  • 35:34 The Evolutionary Purpose of Menopause
  • 37:58 Conclusion and Resources

HOW TO CONNECT WITH AMANDA TO LEARN MORE:

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This podcast is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject matter covered. It is given with the understanding that neither the host, the publisher, nor the guests are rendering legal, clinical, or other professional information. If you want or need a professional, you should find one to work with who can address your individual needs and situation.