In this episode of Menopause Re-Imagined, host Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, published menopause researcher, author, menopause educator and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, and guest Dr. Emaline Brown, a licensed naturopathic doctor and Clinical Lab Educator at Vibrant Wellness, discuss why women in perimenopause and menopause should consider functional medicine testing, emphasizing the saying, "don't guess, test".

Topics Covered:

Hormone Testing Types: Traditional blood tests, saliva tests, and urine tests.

Cortisol and Stress (HPA Axis): For assessing the "get up and go signal" and stress responses.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and Obesogens: What they are and why we should avoid them.

Estrogen Detoxification: The different pathways for estrogen detoxification or removal, and how to support them with nutrition and supplements.

Micronutrients and Omega-3 Index Testing: The importance of micronutrients, like minerals (i.e,. magnesium) and balancing omegas for overall wellness.

The Gut-Hormone Connection: The factor that can "pull the anchor" off estrogen that was meant for excretion, causing it to keep circulating and leading to estrogen dominance.

Links from the Show

Access to Testing: Vibrant Wellness tests must be ordered through a healthcare practitioner. A provider directory is available for patients seeking a qualified professional.

FOR PROVIDERS: HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A VIBRANT ACCOUNT https://vibrant-wellness.com/for-providers

FOR PATIENTS: HOW TO FIND A PROVIDER https://directory.vibrant-wellness.com/?

Tara Scott Interview https://youtu.be/_hdj8kTVlTs

Endocrine Disruptors with Leah Segedie:

• Part 1: https://youtu.be/OG_r4S8ngy8
• Part 2: https://youtu.be/WN99e-FffZc
• Part 3: https://youtu.be/kBfVO22R7j4

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Morphus: Menopause Reimagine

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DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. This podcast contains affiliate links; Morphus may earn a commission. Thank you for your support.

On Menopause Reimagined, your host, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, author, menopause researcher, educator, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, is joined by Dr. James Simon, a board-certified OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and clinical professor at George Washington University. He’s the only physician to have served as president of both The Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and is the author of Restore Yourself: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life.

Topics

Sexual Health Survey Results: Nearly 1,300 women shared their experiences: 91% reported lower libido, 66% had more difficulty orgasming, and 83% had talked to someone about it, echoing what many women share online.

Why Desire Drops (and Why You’re Not Alone): Why libido changes in perimenopause and menopause likely affect most women, and how relationships can help sustain, but not fully protect, sexual desire.

When Sex Hurts (and Nobody Talks About It): Why he likes to see couples together and how painful sex can lead to rejection, resentment, and misunderstanding when it’s not addressed.

Why Common Advice Feels So Dismissive: “Use lube,” “have a date night,” “just do it,” “try a vibrator,” or “maybe you’re depressed” are the go‑to lines many women are tired of. Dr. Simon unpacks why this misses the root causes and reminds us that desire starts in the mind, not just the body.

Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire: Many women worry that something is “wrong” when spontaneous desire fades. Dr. Simon explains why responsive desire often remains and how understanding this shift can be a huge relief.

Hormone Testing & Therapy: What to actually ask for: thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, vitamin D, and B12. Plus, why testosterone matters, how levels change with age, and why access looks different across countries.

Non‑Hormonal Treatment Options: A clear look at Addyi (flibanserin) and Vyleesi (bremelanotide): how they work, who they’re for, and what to realistically expect.

It’s Not Just Hormones, It’s the Relationship: Speaking to common pain points: feeling unseen, disconnected, or “touched out.” Depression, anxiety, and relationship conflict must be addressed; no dose of hormones can fix an unhappy partnership.

Real‑World Tips for Long‑Term Couples: Practical ideas women say they want: using lubricants and vibrators without shame, slowing down, adding novelty, sharing fantasies safely, and using “I” language to improve communication and intimacy.

Connect With Dr. Simon: IntimMedicine.com

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Morphus: Menopause Reimagine

💊 Shop Morphus: https://wearemorphus.com/collections/all
📖 Pre-order Nourishing Menopause (Due out May 5, 2026)
Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4qDKBpr
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/49sIixM
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- OneSkin: https://bit.ly/4lX2wVw
CODE: MORPHUS15
- Qualia: https://bit.ly/42mtvmx
CODE MORPHUS20:
- Oxford Healthspan: https://bit.ly/4kzl3qR

FOLLOW US:TikTok: @andreadonsky | @wearemorphusInstagram: @wearemorphus | @andreadonskyFacebook: /wearemorphus

DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. This podcast contains affiliate links; Morphus may earn a commission. Thank you for your support.

Struggling with debilitating anxiety? Doctors are telling you that you're okay when you know you aren't. Not sleeping? We want you to know, you're NOT crazy!

On this episode of Menopause Reimagined, Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, author of Nourishing Menopause (May 2026), and co-founder of WeAreMorphus.com, interviews Patrice Lockhart, the Caribbean's first certified menopause health and wellness coach and founder of Menopause Survival Care. She uses her personal eight-year struggle with undiagnosed severe menopausal symptoms to advocate for women and guide them through a powerful midlife transformation.

Topics:

• The Emotional and Mental Work of Menopause
• Patrice's Personal Struggle: How she became the Caribbean's first certified menopause health and wellness coach.
• Menopause as a Metamorphosis/Cocoon
• Menopause as a Mirror for Trauma
• Challenging the Legacy of Secrecy
• Post-Menopausal Power

Links:

Website: www.menopausesurvivalcare.com

Menopause As Metamorphosis - What The Butterfly Knew: Menopause Relief & Transformation for Women Over 40: Self Help For Midlife Renewal, Emotional & ... for women going through the transition: https://amzn.to/4pSiAsU

Send us a text

======
Morphus: Menopause Reimagine

💊 Shop Morphus: https://wearemorphus.com/collections/all
📖 Pre-order Nourishing Menopause (Due out May 5, 2026)
Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4qDKBpr
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/49sIixM
📰 As seen in USA Today: https://bit.ly/43nrMwO
✅ Fill out our surveys: https://bit.ly/4jcVuLh
🦋 SUBSCRIBE to our list: https://bit.ly/3VdDA0V

Our sponsors:
CODE: MORPHUS
- EnergyBits: https://bit.ly/49f05YV
- BEAM Minerals: https://bit.ly/43MrfFL
- Jaspr: https://bit.ly/3C1n9hq
- OneSkin: https://bit.ly/4lX2wVw
CODE: MORPHUS15
- Qualia: https://bit.ly/42mtvmx
CODE MORPHUS20:
- Oxford Healthspan: https://bit.ly/4kzl3qR

FOLLOW US:TikTok: @andreadonsky | @wearemorphusInstagram: @wearemorphus | @andreadonskyFacebook: /wearemorphus

DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. This podcast contains affiliate links; Morphus may earn a commission. Thank you for your support.