Menopause is something every woman will experience, yet many still feel confused, dismissed, or overwhelmed when symptoms begin. In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe to unpack the realities of perimenopause, menopause, and hormone therapy in a practical, evidence-based way.

We talk about what the menopause transition actually looks like, why symptoms can begin years before periods stop, and why so many women are told their labs are “normal” even when they don’t feel normal. We also break down some of the biggest misconceptions around hormone therapy, including safety concerns, breast cancer risk, cardiovascular risk, and whether bloodwork is actually useful in making a diagnosis.

In this conversation, we cover:
- The difference between perimenopause and menopause
- Early symptoms women may notice in their 40s
- Whether hormone testing is necessary
- What menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is and who may benefit
- The difference between regulated bioidentical hormones and compounded products
- How hormone therapy may impact sleep, mood, bone health, urogenital symptoms, and brain fog - Non-hormonal approaches to symptom management
- How women can advocate for themselves if they feel dismissed in healthcare settings

My hope is that this episode helps bring clarity to a stage of life that still carries so much confusion and misinformation, and that women walk away feeling more informed and empowered to make decisions about their health.

Links & Resources

You can follow Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe on Instagram at @drsheilaw and check out the Doc Talk Podcast for more evidence-based health conversations.

Menopause Management Resource from the Centre for Effective Practice
https://cep.health/clinical-products/menopause-management/

Menopause Symptom Tracker
https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/resources/menopause-symptoms/

I’m joined by Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple to unpack the rapidly growing world of wellness peptides — from BPC-157 and CJC-1295 to Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin, NAD, and the so-called “fat-burning” and “healing” peptides taking over social media. We discuss what peptides actually are, why they’ve become so popular, and how legitimate medical therapies have blurred into a largely unregulated wellness industry.

We also break down the claims being made about popular peptides marketed for fat loss, recovery, anti-aging, and performance enhancement, while taking a closer look at what evidence truly exists (and what doesn’t). Dr. Lauren shares important insight into the safety concerns, marketing tactics, and cultural obsession with optimization that are fueling this trend online.

If you’ve been curious about peptides or wondering whether the internet hype matches the science, this episode will help you think more critically before jumping on the trend.

Check out Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple’s work here: https://www.drlaurencs.com/

In Part 2 of this series, we're diving into the practical nutrition strategies that can help you feel your best while taking medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound.

From constipation and digestive changes to hitting your protein goals with a low appetite, this episode focuses on the habits that support long-term success and help you maintain your results.

We'll cover:

• Why constipation is so common on GLP-1 medications and how to prevent it
• How to reach your protein goals when you get full quickly
• What to do when protein foods don't sound appealing
• How GLP-1 medications change hunger and fullness cues
• What to expect if you need to temporarily stop your medication

GLP-1 medications can be powerful tools, but they work best when paired with the right nutrition and lifestyle habits. Learning how to fuel your body, support digestion, and adapt to your changing appetite is key to protecting your health while achieving sustainable weight loss.

WORK WITH US:
O​​ntario-Wide Virtual Obesity Management Clinic
https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com

Join my Weight Loss Coaching Program for women, Best Weight https://www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

Recover Strong for Binge Eating
https://www.sashahighmd.com/bed

Taking the first step toward weight loss can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve created a curated list of my podcast episodes to gently guide you as you begin your journey. https://www.sashahighmd.com/podcast-guide