Women’s Health Evolution: Dr. James Simon on HRT, Cognitive Function, and Heart Health

Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones

Do you ever wish that your hormonal health and menopause journey were clearer and better understood?

On today’s episode, join me in welcoming Dr. James Simon as we dive deep into the impacts of hormone therapy on cardiovascular health, bone health, and overall well-being during menopause.

This conversation sheds light on pivotal findings from the Women’s Health Initiative, which revealed that early use of estrogen or hormone therapy close to menopause significantly benefits cardiovascular health.

Dr. Simon shares compelling patient cases where hormone therapy decisions were guided by coronary artery calcium scores, lipid profiles, and cardiovascular risk factors. I explore the potential of estradiol for easing perimenopausal symptoms and brings up ongoing studies, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practice.

We discuss the emerging molecule, estetrol, a naturally occurring fetal estrogen. This hormone is showing promising results in not just birth control but also in vaginal estrogen products and treatments for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Estetrol’s benefits on bones, blood vessels, and heart health make it a potential game-changer for menopausal therapy.

We also touch on the broader problem of cookie-cutter medicine and the importance of individualized treatment plans. Dr. Simon dispels the myth around hormone therapy and breast cancer risk, citing the Women's Health Initiative's findings.

I also talk about the need for tailored treatment, especially given the high prevalence of heart disease and diabetes in specific populations, such as the South Asian community.

Highlights:

Cardioprotective Benefits: Early hormone therapy near menopause can offer cardiovascular benefits. Delaying it may increase risks.

Breast Cancer Survivors: Shared decision-making in hormone therapy post-treatment shows emerging evidence of safety after a period.

Brain Health: Hormones might help reduce or prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia by affecting brain energy metabolism.

Testosterone Therapy: Dr. Simon advocates for the benefits and safety of testosterone therapy in menopausal women, although an FDA-approved product is still awaited.

Patient Advocacy: Dr. Simon provides tips on advocating for yourself in healthcare, finding menopause experts, and staying informed.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and give us a 5-star review on Apple! Who else would you like us to interview? This podcast exists to ensure you are educated and can advocate for yourself.

Join us, stay informed, and continue the journey of health advocacy and empowerment with Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs and Hormones.

About our Guest:

Dr. James A. Simon is Clinical Professor of Ob/Gyn at George Washington University in Washington DC. A board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductive endocrinologist, and AASECT-Certified Sexuality Counsellor, Dr. Simon’s private medical practice, IntimMedicine Specialists® (www.IntimMedicine.com), focuses on complicated gynecology,reproductive endocrinology, menopause, and sexual health.

Dr. Simon’s extensive and pioneering experience utilizing both hormonal and non-hormonal therapies for menopausal symptoms and sexual problems (i.e., reduced sexual desire/blunted arousal, and weak or absent orgasm, pelvic and sexual pain) have resulted in his receiving numerous awards.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Simon is an experienced clinical researcher having completed more than 400 clinical research trials, while receiving grants, contracts, and scholarships from a wide range of sponsors, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), The American Heart Association (AHA), The Heinz Foundation, and the pharmaceuticalindustry.

Dr. Simon was Sprout Pharmaceuticals’ Chief Medical Officer (CMO) during the development of the first FDA-approved medication for women’s sexual health. Dr. Simon is the only physician to serve as President of both the North American Menopause Society (NAMS now The Menopause Society), and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH).

Nicknamed “The Menopause Whisperer” by Washingtonian Magazine, a short-list of Dr. Simon’s other honors and achievements includes being selected to “Top Washington Physicians,” “America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists,”

“Super Doctors of Washington DC-Baltimore-Northern Virginia,” and “The Best Doctors in America.” Dr. Simon is a recipient of the NAMS-Leon Speroff Outstanding Educator Award and the ISSWSH-Distinguished Service Award.

He is an author or co-author of more than 800 articles, abstracts, chapters, and proceedings, including several prize-winning papers, as well as the paperback book: Restore Yourself: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life.

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