The Pause Life

Thinking about keeping your IUD in perimenopause? Here’s why I would! If I had a progesterone-containing IUD that I was happy with, I’d leave it in for a few years—and here’s why: ➡️ 90% of women experience abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopause. ➡️ A progesterone IUD can be a game-changer for managing heavy bleeding. ➡️ It helps stabilize the uterine lining, reducing the risk of anemia, fatigue, and unnecessary interventions. For many, it’s an effective, low-maintenance option that can make perimenopause easier—and who doesn’t want that? Drop your questions below! ⬇️ #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #hormones #IUD #womenshealth #midlife #heavymenstrualbleeding #knowyourbody

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Oprah Menopause Revolution will air March 31st at 9pm central on ABC. @Oprah Daily @ABC #Perimenopause #TheNewPerimenopause #MenopauseMatters #Menopause #MaryClaireHaver

Reposting this spot-on video from @justbeingmelani —because YES, perimenopause really does affect multiple organ systems at the same time, and yes, it’s completely unfair that it happens while you’re raising teenagers. I hear you! One symptom she calls out? Itchy ears. How is it possible that your reproductive system can make your skin feel creepy-crawly and your ears itch? Here’s the medical context: Estrogen plays a crucial role in skin barrier function, hydration, and nerve sensitivity. As estrogen levels fluctuate and decline during perimenopause, the skin and mucous membranes (including the ears, eyes, and vaginal tissue) can become drier and more sensitive. This can lead to itching, tingling, and even that crawling sensation—a condition called formication. It’s frustrating, but you’re not imagining it. These symptoms are real, and they’re part of the complex web of perimenopause that deserves more recognition and understanding. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone, and there are strategies to help! Follow this page for real talk and science-backed menopause education—because you deserve to understand what’s happening in your body and how to feel your best. Let’s break the silence and take control of this transition together! #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #hormones #itchyskin #formication #womenshealth #midlife #knowyourbody

Four years ago, I posted this video about the ages of menopause and the timing of symptoms—and it went viral. So much has happened since then, but this still rings true. Menopause isn’t just hot flashes; it’s a transition that affects every part of your health. That’s why I created the Menopause Empowerment Guide—a FREE 14-page PDF packed with science-backed resources to help you understand your symptoms, take control of your health, and advocate for the care you deserve. Get your copy now! Link in bio. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #hormonehealth #womenshealth #empowerment #knowyourbody

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My Morning Ritual Smoothie This is more than a smoothie—it’s a daily act of care. Packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients to support your muscles, skin, and overall health through every phase of menopause. I created these Pause Nutrition supplements after caring for over 100,000 patients who needed real, effective solutions. Here’s what I make every morning: Recipe: ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt 1 scoop protein powder 1 scoop Pause Nutrition Creatine 1 scoop Pause Nutrition No-Flavor Fiber 2 scoops Pause Nutrition No-Flavor Skin & Bone Collagen 1 cup frozen mixed berries 1 tbsp chia seeds 1 tbsp ground flax 1 tbsp hemp seeds Water to blend Fuel your body. Support your muscles. Nourish your skin. Because you deserve the best. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #PauseNutrition #protein #creatine #fiber #collagen #hormonehealth #womenshealth #healthyaging #menopausesupport #dailyritual

@They left us out. From 1977 to 1993, women were officially excluded from clinical research. The legacy of that decision is still hurting us today. We don’t have enough data on how medications, supplements, diseases—or menopause—affect women differently. That’s not just a gap. It’s a crisis. That’s why we need a Citizens Guide to Menopause Advocacy. We’re done being excluded. We’re done being ignored. Explore the guide—linked in our bio—and learn how to take action. Because menopause is not optional—and silence is not an option either. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #includewomeninresearch #menopauseadvocacy

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🌿 Estradiol & Longevity: A Scientific Case for Hormone Replacement Therapy A groundbreaking study leveraging data from the UK Biobank (UKBB) has revealed a stark reality: while many prescription drugs are linked to higher mortality rates, a select few are associated with longer lifespans. Among them? Estradiol—a key hormone in menopause therapy that has long been debated, misunderstood, and underutilized. 🔬 What the Study Found Researchers analyzed the effects of multiple prescription medications on survival probability. As expected, many commonly prescribed drugs, including: ❌ Opioids (e.g., morphine) ❌ Diuretics (e.g., furosemide) ❌ Painkillers (e.g., paracetamol) ❌ Respiratory medications (e.g., tiotropium for COPD) were associated with increased mortality rates. However, 14 drugs were identified as having a protective effect—prolonging life compared to matched controls. Among these were: ✔️ Atorvastatin (a cholesterol-lowering statin) ✔️ Naproxen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) ✔️ Sildenafil (a PDE5 inhibitor commonly known as Viagra) ✔️ Estradiol (a key estrogen in hormone therapy for menopause) 💡 Why Estradiol Matters for Longevity While cardiovascular benefits of statins and the vasoprotective effects of PDE5 inhibitors have been well-documented, estradiol’s link to lifespan extension adds to the growing body of evidence that menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is about more than just symptom relief. 1️⃣ Cardiovascular Protection: Estrogen has a vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effect—reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the #1 killer of postmenopausal women. Research shows that women who initiate estradiol therapy early in menopause experience a reduced risk of CVD and improved vascular function. 2️⃣ Brain Health & Dementia Risk: Studies suggest estradiol plays a neuroprotective role, reducing Alzheimer’s disease risk and cognitive decline. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been associated with better memory, executive function, and delayed onset of neurodegenerative diseases—a potential reason why some women on estradiol show better survival outcomes. 3️⃣ Metabolic Benefits & Insulin Sensitivity: Menopause is associated with increased visceral fat, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome, all of which contribute to higher mortality risk. Estradiol helps regulate glucose metabolism, reduce fat accumulation, and improve insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing risks of diabetes, obesity-related conditions, and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). 4️⃣ Bone Health & Fracture Risk Reduction: Osteoporotic fractures—particularly hip fractures—are a leading cause of disability and premature death in older women. Estrogen therapy preserves bone mineral density (BMD) and dramatically reduces fracture risk, helping women maintain mobility and independence longer. ⚖️ What About the Risks? The conversation around estradiol and longevity is often overshadowed by concerns about breast cancer risk. However, recent research has challenged old fears, particularly when using bioidentical estradiol formulations with appropriate progesterone therapy. Many studies suggest that for most women, the benefits outweigh the risks, especially when therapy is started within 10 years of menopause. 🧠 A Paradigm Shift in Women’s Health For decades, menopause has been treated as a natural but inevitable decline, with HRT viewed as optional symptom management rather than a critical intervention for long-term health and longevity. This new study reinforces the idea that estradiol is more than a "menopause drug"—it is a key player in extending lifespan and protecting against chronic disease. 🔗 Time to Rethink the Standard Approach With studies like this challenging old assumptions, the question is clear: Are we overlooking one of the most powerful longevity interventions available to women? 💬 Let’s discuss!👇 #Menopause #HRT #greenscreen

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🚨 BREAKING: SCIENCE REVEALS THE TRUTH ABOUT MENOPAUSE & WEIGHT GAIN 🚨 For years, women have been misled—by influencers, personal trainers, and even their own doctors—into believing that menopausal weight gain and belly fat are a personal failure. But the latest research says otherwise. 📢 A new study published in Circulation Research (Ayesh et al., 2024) confirms that hormonal changes—not willpower—are driving weight gain and dangerous fat redistribution after menopause. 🔥 THE REALITY: ➡️ Estrogen decline = metabolic slowdown. Your body burns fewer calories, even at rest. ➡️ Fat shifts to the abdomen (visceral fat), increasing risks for heart disease, stroke, & diabetes. ➡️ Medications prescribed to women (antidepressants, β-blockers, insulin) accelerate weight gain. ➡️ Hypertension rates DOUBLE after menopause. ➡️ Heart failure risk surges within 5-6 years post-menopause. It’s NOT about willpower. It’s science. And yet, women are still being gaslit by a healthcare system that fails to recognize these biological realities. 🚀 WHAT YOU CAN DO: 💪 Strength training & protein to preserve lean mass 🥗 A diet that supports metabolic health (protein, fiber, healthy fats) 💊 Consider HRT—it’s more than symptom relief, it can protect long-term health 😴 Prioritize sleep & stress management—both impact metabolism 👩‍⚕️ Women deserve evidence-based solutions, not shame. If your doctor, trainer, or favorite influencer is telling you that menopause weight gain is just a matter of “eating less and moving more,” they are behind the science. 💬 Have you been made to feel like menopause weight gain is YOUR fault? Let’s discuss. ⬇️ #BreakingScience #MenopauseTruth #MetabolicHealth #MenopauseWeightGain #MenopauseAndScience #HormonalChanges #HealthyAging

Who’s the Menoposse? We’re the ones kicking down the doors of outdated guidelines and asking why half the population gets written off the moment our periods go sideways. We’re done being told to “wait it out.” We’re done with 5-minute appointments and shrugging shoulders. And we’re definitely done being sidelined in medical research, treatment, and care. The Menoposse is smart, science-literate, and a little bit pissed off. We read studies and labels. We lift weights, ask hard questions, take supplements with receipts, and yes—some of us even fly with testosterone in our carry-ons. This is the movement. This is the Menoposse. And we’re just getting started. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #menoposse

Want healthy, resilient skin in menopause? These are my top 3 science-backed skincare must-haves: ☀️ Sunscreen – Protects against UV damage, prevents premature aging, and reduces skin cancer risk. ✨ Tretinoin – A powerful retinoid that boosts collagen, smooths fine lines, and improves skin texture. ❤️ Topical estrogen – Supports skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity by addressing estrogen loss in menopause. Your skin changes with menopause, but you can keep it healthy! Learn more about how topical estrogen helps in my latest blog—link in bio. #Menopause #Perimenopause #DrMaryClaire #TheNewMenopause

Welcome to the perimenopause zone of chaos. Mood swings, brain fog, heavy periods, sleep issues, anxiety, night sweats—and wondering, “What is happening to me?” You’re not crazy. You’re not alone. You’re in perimenopause—and it’s real. Learn what’s happening and what you can do about it in my book The New Menopause. Knowledge is power. Let’s take it back. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #zoneofchaos #hormones #womenshealth #midlifewomen #menopauseeducation #normalizeperimenopause #knowyourbody

Strong bones. Glowing skin. One daily scoop. Our Skin & Bone Collagen is designed to support your body where it matters most—especially during menopause, when collagen and bone density naturally decline. Clinically backed, flavorless, and easy to add to your favorite drinks or smoothies. Linked in bio under Pause Nutrition. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #PauseNutrition #collagen #bonehealth #skinhealth #healthyaging #womenshealth

I wish I could get all the nutrition from my diet every single day, but life makes that a challenge