Dating Den Episode 201 – With Dr. Mache Seibel — Ways to Boost Your Drive to Date When You Are Stuck in the Midlife Blahs
Marni welcomes a leading expert in women’s wellness and menopause Dr. Mache Seibel into the Den. Dr. Mache is a member of the Harvard Medical Faculty, author of the bestselling book, The Estrogen Fix, and editor of the #1 magazine for midlife women, Hot Years Mag.com.
As a gynecologist, Dr. Mache was a leading expert in infertility. He has published over 200 scientific articles and 17 books.
Key Takeaways from this Episode:
- What symptoms to expect during menopause
- How to lessen the symptoms of menopause
- What to do if you don’t feel sexy or sex hurts during menopause
- Why some women gain weight during menopause
Physical, Mental, and Emotional Effects of Menopause [3:10]
Regardless of who you are, as a woman, there is no getting away from menopause. No matter how you try to avoid it, it is going to happen. It is part of the normal cycle of life. The trick, says Dr. Mache, is to be prepared. Many women believe menopause is something that happens to older women, but the average age in the U.S. is 45-55. And, up to 10% of women go into menopause before the age of 45. 1% of women hit menopause before the age of 40!
For most women, they suddenly begin having foggy brain, hot flashes, lack of libido, sleep problems, etc. But, the medical definition of menopause is one year of no menstruation.
Dr. Seibel says women who figure out how to ease or reduce the symptoms of menopause are more likely to have a smoother transition. Healthy foods, time spent with friends, and plenty of sleep are all effective ways of reducing symptoms.
Ladies, figure out menopause, don’t tough it out! For almost every symptom there is a partial solution to ease it.
Dry Lady Parts Are Nothing to Be Ashamed of [26:15]
If you do not feel motivated to date or don’t feel sexy, Dr. Mache says it is common for vaginal tissues to get drier and thinner as women age. These symptoms can be remedied with local treatments. Nobody should have to endure painful sex! If it causes stress within your relationship, it is a problem. It is a medical condition that should be addressed.
Sexual issues or hypo-active sexual desire disorder means you are still interested in sex but it isn’t pleasurable.
The good news is, if you feel apathetic or disinterested in sex, you can do something about it. It’s a medical problem. But, there are treatments for you to get your mojo back. Explain how you are feeling to your doctor. Don’t be timid. That is what a doctor is there for.
The most important organ for sex is your brain.
Why Some Women Gain Weight During Menopause [31:44]
Many women believe menopause equals weight gain, but do reduced hormones really cause them to gain weight? Studies show estrogen limits the amount of weight gain. As a woman goes through menopause, she loses about 3% of her metabolism every decade. If she eats the same calories every decade of her life, slowly, she will gain a dress size.
Dr. Mache shares that fat cells migrate from where they are to new locations like the thighs and hips, or causing muffin tops. Maintaining a certain weight requires great control. Women in menopause should pay more attention to the foods they eat.
When you do not get enough sleep, you make more of the hormone that tells you you are hungry.
