In this solo episode, Dr. Stephanie shares her updated thinking on fitness training for women who menstruate, including perimenopausal women with irregular cycles. Drawing from principles in the Betty Body Book and her presentation at the Health Optimization Summit in Europe, she breaks down how to strategically modify your training across the four weeks of your cycle—while emphasizing the crucial principle of autoregulation.

Episode Overview (timestamps may vary):
0:00 Intro/Teaser
3:13 Why We've Been Training Like Men
8:28 The Three M's of Muscle (Mobility, Metabolic, Menstrual)
21:00 Waist-to-Hip Ratio Longevity Test
24:29 AUTOREGULATION: The Most Important Principle
32:01 Week 1 Training Protocol: 8-12 Reps
34:16 Week 2: 5-7 Reps (POWER Week!)
40:24 Week 3: 8-12 Reps
42:47 Week 4: 15-20 Reps (Myokines!)
45:46 Training Considerations for Perimenopausal Women

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep448

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Dr. Rena Malik, board-certified urologist and sexual medicine expert, has the most frank conversation about female sexual health you'll hear anywhere. She covers pelvic floor dysfunction (incontinence affects 1 in 3 women), the genital urinary syndrome of menopause (80% of women will experience changes), and the orgasm gap—plus why same-sex couples don't have this problem. Dr. Malik breaks down low desire in midlife with actual treatment options, explains responsive vs. spontaneous desire, and tackles the hard conversations about pornography's impact on our kids. Whether you're dealing with changes yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode removes the shame and gives you actionable solutions for better sexual and pelvic health.

Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):
(0:00) Intro/Teaser
(4:00) Pelvic Floor 101: Anatomy and Function
(8:00) Urinary Incontinence
(14:00) Tight Pelvic Floor & Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
(18:00) Strengthening Weak Pelvic Floor
(21:00) Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
(29:00) Menopause & Genito-Urinary Changes
(33:00) Female Arousal & Clitoral Anatomy
(37:00) Responsive Desire & Maintaining Sexual Connection
(44:00) The Orgasm Gap
(49:00) Pornography & Realistic Expectations
(55:00) Pornography Use & Sexual Function
(1:00:00) Types of Orgasms
(1:03:00) Semen Retention & Orgasm Frequency
(1:08:00) Low Desire in Women
(1:16:00) Arousal vs. Desire
(1:19:00) UTIs & Bladder Health
(1:23:00) BONUS: After-Party with Dr. Stephanie

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep447

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors:

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Feeling overwhelmed by environmental toxins? This is your antidote to eco-anxiety. Dr. Aly Cohen, triple board-certified physician, joins me for a refreshingly practical conversation about endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) without the hysteria. We break down how BPA, phthalates, and PFAS affect your hormones, metabolism, and immune system—and what you can actually do about it.

From the frozen food revelation (it's better than fresh!) to low-cost swaps like glass Tupperware and vinegar cleaners, Dr. Cohen shares her "Four A's" framework for reducing toxic load. We dive into obesogens (chemicals making weight loss harder), why teens use 17 products daily, and how to navigate personal care products, water filters, and cookware. Environmental health for real people living real lives—progress, not perfection. Actionable steps you can take today.

Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):
(0:00) Intro/Teaser
(3:00) What Are Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals?
(9:00) BPA: The Estrogen Mimicker
(14:00) Long-Term Exposure and Systemic Inflammation
(20:00) Obesogens and Metabolism
(26:00) Food Packaging: The Silent Killer
(31:00) Frozen vs. Fresh: The Nutrient Density Debate
(39:00) Exercise, Sweat, and Detoxification
(48:00) Water Quality: RO Filters vs. Carbon Blocks
(54:00) Indoor Air Quality (Open Those Windows!)
(59:00) Cooking Indoors: Gas Stoves and Non-Stick Pans
(1:03:00) Tupperware, Cookware, and Material Safety
(1:07:00) Personal Care Products: The Teenage Toxin Bomb
(1:15:00) The Big Takeaway: One Thing at a Time
(1:20:00) BONUS: After-Party with Dr. Stephanie

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep446/

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