In this episode, “Menopause Myths Debunked – Part 2” of the Modern Midlife Collective podcast, Dr. Jillian and Dr. Ade continue unpacking the truths about hormone health that every woman deserves to know.

They tackle the belief that hormone therapy causes weight gain, explain why “normal” lab results don’t always reflect how you’re feeling, and highlight overlooked symptoms of hormonal shifts—like anxiety, joint pain, and brain fog.

They also clarify what bioidentical hormones actually are and reinforce a key message: menopause doesn’t mean you just have to tough it out. There are real solutions—and you deserve them.

Highlights:

• Understanding the true cause of weight gain in midlife—and how to manage it
• Why normal hormone labs might not tell the full story
• How to recognize non-traditional symptoms of perimenopause
• What bioidentical hormones are, how they work, and how they’re prescribed
• The importance of personalized care and why no woman should be dismissed

Get to know the doctors behind the insights of The Modern Midlife Collective Podcast:

Ade Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, hormone and obesity specialist, and expert in metabolic and longevity medicine. She is the founder and Medical Director of Rejuvenate Health and Wellness, where she has empowered hundreds of women to reclaim their health, overcome stubborn weight challenges, and unlock vibrant energy through science-based, personalized care.

With a deep commitment to transforming the landscape of midlife health, she blends cutting-edge medical innovation with a functional, root-cause approach to wellness. She is recognized as a trusted authority in women's health and passionate about service and health equity. Dr. Akindipe also serves as Co-Chair of the Health Committee for the Alaska Black Caucus, advocating for greater access to preventive care and wellness initiatives in underrepresented communities.

Jillian Woodruff, MD, FACOG, NCMP, is a board-certified gynecologist, surgeon, and nationally certified menopause provider specializing in general and cosmetic gynecologic surgery. As Chief Medical Officer of Modern Gynecology & Skin, she specializes in hormone therapy, sexual medicine, and aesthetic treatments to help women thrive.

She is the host of “Line One” on Alaska Public Media, an NPR-affiliated medical affairs radio show, and co-founder of The Women’s WELL Foundation, dedicated to women’s health education and access.

As the co-host of The Modern Midlife Collective, she brings expertise in hormones, sexual health, aesthetics, and holistic practices, teaching women to advocate for their health and well-being in midlife with confidence.

Passionate about global health, lifestyle medicine, and education, she enjoys traveling, humanitarian work, studying languages, and family life while empowering women to take charge of their health.

Can estrogen increase your risk of breast cancer? Is testosterone really just for men? And is pregnancy off the table during perimenopause?

In this episode, “Menopause Myths Debunked – Part 1” of the Modern Midlife Collective podcast, Dr. Jillian Woodruff and Dr. Ade Akindipe tackle some of the most common—and harmful—myths surrounding midlife health and hormone therapy.

They explore the long-standing confusion stemming from the Women’s Health Initiative study, the reality behind perimenopausal fertility, and the essential role testosterone plays in women’s well-being. With a clear-eyed look at misunderstood studies and decades of misinformation, this episode brings clarity, clinical context, and practical guidance to questions too many women have had to navigate alone.

You'll also learn how outdated beliefs have shaped care options—and why it’s time to reclaim evidence-based decision-making in midlife.

Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Be sure to listen to Part 2 for more insights on hormone therapy, weight gain, lab testing, and personalized care.

Highlights:

• Why estrogen does not cause breast cancer—and where that myth came from
• How and why pregnancy can still occur during perimenopause
• The powerful role of testosterone in women’s health and well-being
• How misinformation has kept many women from accessing life-changing care

Get to know the doctors behind the insights of The Modern Midlife Collective Podcast:

Aderonke "Ade" Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, hormone and obesity specialist, and expert in metabolic and longevity medicine. She is the founder and Medical Director of Rejuvenate Health and Wellness, where she has helped hundreds of women reclaim their health, overcome stubborn weight challenges, and unlock vibrant energy through her signature coaching platform, The Elevated Woman™. Blending cutting-edge innovation with a functional, root-cause approach, Dr. Akindipe is deeply committed to transforming midlife health. She is recognized as a trusted authority in women’s wellness and a passionate advocate for health equity. Beyond her clinical work, she serves as Co-Chair of the Health Committee for the Alaska Black Caucus, championing access to preventive care and wellness initiatives in underrepresented communities.

Jillian Woodruff, MD, FACOG, NCMP, is a board-certified gynecologist, surgeon, and nationally certified menopause provider specializing in general and cosmetic gynecologic surgery. As Chief Medical Officer of Modern Gynecology & Skin, she specializes in hormone therapy, sexual medicine, and aesthetic treatments to help women thrive.

She is the host of “Line One” on Alaska Public Media, an NPR-affiliated medical affairs radio show, and co-founder of The Women’s WELL Foundation, dedicated to women’s health education and access.

As the co-host of The Modern Midlife Collective, she brings expertise in hormones, sexual health, aesthetics, and holistic practices, teaching women to advocate for their health and well-being in midlife with confidence.

Passionate about global health, lifestyle medicine, and education, she enjoys traveling, humanitarian work, studying languages, and family life while empowering women to take charge of their health.

What if everything you thought you knew about menopause was outdated—or just plain wrong?

In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, board-certified gynecologist and menopause specialist, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, functional medicine expert and nurse practitioner, deliver a clear, evidence-based conversation about what really happens during perimenopause and menopause. They discuss why symptoms often begin earlier than most expect—sometimes in your 30s or 40s—and why many women are misdiagnosed or dismissed when seeking help. From fluctuating hormones and brain fog to anxiety, weight gain, and disrupted sleep, they explain the wide range of symptoms that can appear long before your last period, and why they shouldn’t be ignored or minimized.

They also dive deeper into lesser-discussed symptoms, like breast tenderness, facial hair, and vaginal or urinary changes—and explains why estrogen receptors across your body (yes, even in your eyes, skin, heart, and gut!) mean menopause affects much more than just your periods. Plus, they also explore the misunderstood role of testosterone in women's health, touching on its effects on libido, motivation, and mood.

Listen now and share this episode with someone who could benefit from real, relatable menopause education. Subscribe to The Modern Midlife Collective and join us next time as we debunk the most common menopause myths!

Highlights:

• What perimenopause actually is—and why it can start earlier than commonly believed
• How fluctuating hormones impact brain function, mood, sleep, and overall health
• Why common symptoms should not be dismissed as inevitable signs of aging
• A deeper look at the range of perimenopausal symptoms beyond hot flashes
• How to approach menopause as a transition rather than a decline
• Practical steps for advocating for better care and improving quality of life during midlife
• The surprising impact of low progesterone and testosterone on mood, libido, and motivation
• Estrogen’s role in vaginal health, urinary symptoms, bone density, and cardiovascular protection
• Why gut health and metabolism are affected by hormonal shifts—and what to do about it

Get to know the doctors behind the insights of The Modern Midlife Collective Podcast:

Ade Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, hormone and obesity specialist, and expert in metabolic and longevity medicine. She is the founder and Medical Director of Rejuvenate Health and Wellness, where she has empowered hundreds of women to reclaim their health, overcome stubborn weight challenges, and unlock vibrant energy through science-based, personalized care.

With a deep commitment to transforming the landscape of midlife health, she blends cutting-edge medical innovation with a functional, root-cause approach to wellness. She is recognized as a trusted authority in women's health and passionate about service and health equity. Dr. Akindipe also serves as Co-Chair of the Health Committee for the Alaska Black Caucus, advocating for greater access to preventive care and wellness initiatives in underrepresented communities.

Jillian Woodruff, MD, FACOG, NCMP, is a board-certified gynecologist, surgeon, and nationally certified menopause provider specializing in general and cosmetic gynecologic surgery. As Chief Medical Officer of Modern Gynecology & Skin, she specializes in hormone therapy, sexual medicine, and aesthetic treatments to help women thrive.

She is the host of “Line One” on Alaska Public Media, an NPR-affiliated medical affairs radio show, and co-founder of The Women’s WELL Foundation, dedicated to women’s health education and access.

As the co-host of The Modern Midlife Collective, she brings expertise in hormones, sexual health, aesthetics, and holistic practices, teaching women to advocate for their health and well-being in midlife with confidence.

Passionate about global health, lifestyle medicine, and education, she enjoys traveling, humanitarian work, studying languages, and family life while empowering women to take charge of their health.