Menopause: Hormones, HRT & Women's Health with Dr Jeanette Sundberg

Menopause is often discussed in terms of symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, brain fog and changes in mood. But the menopause transition is about much more than symptom management. It can be a pivotal period for protecting a woman’s long-term health. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Jeanette Sundberg , a medical doctor with a specialist interest in women’s health, to explore perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause, and how we can better support women through each stage. Jeanette’s route into medicine is anything but conventional. After studying at Brown University and completing an MBA at INSEAD, she built an international business career before retraining as a doctor. Today, her work brings together clinical medicine, women’s health, healthcare strategy and innovation. We explore what happens hormonally during the menopause transition, how symptoms are recognised, and why midlife can be an important opportunity to think proactively about bone, muscle, metabolic, cardiovascular and sexual health . A major focus of the conversation is HRT , including what we are actually replacing, the different forms of oestrogen and progesterone, when treatment can be considered, and how benefits and risks should be assessed on an individual basis. 🎙️ In This Episode, We Cover Jeanette’s unconventional journey from international business to medicine and women’s health Understanding perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause The hormonal changes taking place during the menopause transition Early and commonly missed symptoms of perimenopause Brain fog, sleep, anxiety, joint pain, libido and changes in body composition When hormone blood tests are useful and when they may create confusion Why menopause is about more than symptom management The impact of declining oestrogen on bone, muscle and body composition Menopause, cardiovascular and metabolic health What HRT actually replaces Oestrogen and progesterone and why both may be needed Oral vs transdermal oestrogen When to consider starting HRT Body-identical vs compounded hormones Personalising HRT around symptoms, risk profile and individual circumstances The evolution of our understanding of HRT benefits and risks Breast cancer, blood clot and stroke considerations What we know about HRT and long-term health and where the evidence remains uncertain Vaginal oestrogen and genitourinary health Testosterone in women: where it may have a role and where evidence remains limited Why HRT is only one part of a long-term health strategy Exercise, resistance training, protein, nutrition, sleep and stress management How to approach menopause as an opportunity to protect healthspan 🎯 Who This Episode Is For Women approaching or going through perimenopause Women in menopause or postmenopause Anyone experiencing unexplained changes in sleep, mood, energy, cognition or body composition Women considering HRT or wanting to better understand the benefits and risks Anyone interested in protecting bone and muscle health through midlife and beyond Healthcare professionals working with women through the menopause transition Partners, family members and anyone wanting to better understand women’s health 🎙️ Powered by Mayfair Health At Mayfair Health , we specialise in recovery, performance and proactive wellness, helping our clients move well, live well and perform well for the long term. From physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates to strength, movement, nutrition and proactive health optimisation, we take a personalised approach to helping you build a healthier future. 🔗 Website: https://www.mayfairhealth.co.uk 📩 Contact: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk 📞 Phone: 020 3985 1500 📱 Instagram: @mayfairhealth