Ep. 206 Pt 1: A Deep Dive into Perimenopause- Hormonal Imbalances and Birth Control with Dr. Tabatha Barber

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Today, I feel honored to share the first of two episodes with one of my favorite women in the health and wellness space! Dr. Tabatha Barber is a triple board-certified OB-Gyn specializing in perimenopause, menopause, functional medicine, and hormonal imbalances. She is often affectionately referred to as the Gutsy Gynecologist, and she has a wonderful podcast called The Gutsy Gynecologist Show.

Dr. Barber is speaking out on behalf of middle-aged women! She does not focus on any specific age group because she prefers to think about women on a continuum.

In this episode, she talks with me about perimenopause, lifestyle management, and navigating the transition to middle age. We discuss the impact of oral contraceptives on the gut microbiome and informed consent. We touch on how hormonal imbalances can be affected by vitamin and mineral depletion, and the therapies typically used in middle age – including IUDs, ablations, and hysterectomies. We dive into cycle mapping, the importance of addressing hormonal imbalances during perimenopause, and managing vasomotor symptoms.

I hope you will gain a lot from this invaluable podcast! We will be sharing the second part of this show later this summer. Stay tuned for more!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

  • Dr. Barber explains what inspired her to help and support women throughout their lifetime.
  • What changes happen in women’s bodies as they move past the peak fertility years?  
  • How do we prepare for the time when our bodies are no longer fertile?
  • It is vital to make the connection between gut health and gynecological health.
  • The issue with birth control pills.
  • How can women who have IUDs, or those who have had an ablation or a hysterectomy and still have their ovaries, understand where they are in their cycle?
  • Why is so little research done on women, and why are women not getting the care they deserve from their medical practitioners?
  • Problems that exist within the current medical system.
  • Women need to ask their health care providers “why?”.
  • How to manage vasomotor symptoms.

Connect with Dr. Tabatha Barber

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“We need advocates. We need people in those roles as physicians, nurses, and administrators to actually think about women, stick up for them, and do what is right for them!”

– Dr. Tabatha Barber