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The Modern Midlife Collective

The Modern Midlife Collective

By: Dr. Ade Akindipe DNP MBA APRN FNP-C and Dr. Jillian Woodruff MD FACOG NCMP
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 Welcome to The Modern Midlife Collective—where midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s a rebirth. Hosted by Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, and Dr. Jillian Woodruff, MD, this is the podcast for women ready to unapologetically own their power, thrive through the ups and downs of hormones, weight, and self-care, and show the world that thriving at 40 and beyond isn’t just possible—it’s your birthright. Biweekly, we bring you science-backed insights on hormones, menopause, longevity, and sexual health—real tools to empower women in midlife and beyond. With a fearless blend of functional medicine, real-life wisdom, and no-nonsense empowerment, we’re here to challenge the norms, break through the barriers, and help you step into a life of vitality, confidence, and unstoppable strength. Ready to rise? Let’s do this.© 2025 Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C and Dr. Jillian Woodruff, MD, FACOG, NCMP Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • #21 - Peeing Constantly? Pain with Sex? ‘BV’ That Won’t Go Away? Here’s How to Fix It Fast.

    #21 - Peeing Constantly? Pain with Sex? ‘BV’ That Won’t Go Away? Here’s How to Fix It Fast.
    Dec 3 2025
    🎙️ Episode 21: Peeing Constantly? Pain with Sex? ‘BV’ That Won’t Go Away? Here’s How to Fix It Fast.If you’ve been peeing constantly, dealing with dryness or burning, or wondering why sex suddenly hurts when it never used to — this episode is for you. And here’s the truth you may not have heard: these symptoms are not “just aging,” and you absolutely do not have to live with them.In this essential episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jill Woodruff and Dr. Ade Akindipe break down Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) — one of the most common, most misunderstood, and most treatable conditions in perimenopause and menopause.✨ If you’ve ever felt dismissed, confused, or embarrassed about these symptoms…this conversation is about clarity, biology, and getting you relief fast.Episode Highlights💧 What GSM Actually Is — and Why It Shows Up in Midlife How declining estrogen affects the vulva, vagina, bladder, and urethra — causing dryness, burning, UTIs, urgency, leaks, pain with sex, and pelvic discomfort.🚫 Why These Symptoms Are Misdiagnosed GSM looks like UTIs, yeast infections, BV, pelvic floor dysfunction — so women bounce between treatments without answers.🔟 The Top 10 Symptoms of GSM From dryness and tearing, to bladder spasms and recurrent UTIs — and why they’re all connected.🔥 Myth-Busting GSM • Vaginal estrogen treats bladder symptoms — not just dryness • The black box warning never applied to vaginal estrogen • Systemic HRT is not enough to reverse GSM • Lube is comfort — not treatment • GSM is not something you have to “just deal with”🩺 Treatments That Actually Work • Vaginal estrogen (cream, ring, tablet) — the gold standard • Pelvic floor physical therapy for leaks, urgency, painful sex • DHEA inserts for elasticity, sensation, and comfort • Moisturizers, vitamin E, coconut oil for daily hydration • Joylux/vFit for improved moisture, elasticity & pelvic support💞 GSM & Intimacy How pain disrupts desire — and how treating GSM restores connection, pleasure, and confidence.🧭 When to Seek Care If you’re peeing constantly, avoiding intimacy, getting frequent UTIs, or feeling uncomfortable daily — don’t wait. These symptoms are common and fully treatable.Memorable Quotes“This is not shame. This is biology — and we can treat it.” – Dr. Jill “When women understand the ‘why,’ their whole body softens. Relief begins with clarity.” – Dr. Ade “GSM is one of the most treatable conditions in menopause. You deserve comfort.” – Dr. Jill “Lube helps the moment. Estrogen heals the tissue.” – Dr. AdeGet to know the doctors behind the insights of The Modern Midlife Collective Podcast:Dr. Aderonke "Ade" Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-CBoard-certified nurse practitioner and founder/medical director of Rejuvenate Health & Wellness.Creator of The Elevated Woman Method, helping women move beyond quick fixes and reclaim confidence in their bodies.With deep roots in functional medicine and lifestyle coaching, Dr. Ade teaches women that they are not broken — they simply need the right map back to themselves.Resources & Links from Dr. Ade: 🧾 Blood Sugar Balancing Blueprint: https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/episode-5-102825 💬 Book Your Free 60-Min Metabolic Clarity Session: https://l.bttr.to/sXiAWJillian Woodruff, MD, FACOG, NCMPBoard-certified gynecologist, surgeon, and nationally certified menopause provider specializing in hormone therapy, sexual medicine, and aesthetic gynecology.As Chief Medical Officer at Modern Gynecology & Skin, she empowers women through precision hormone care, sexual wellness, and holistic midlife support.Dr. Woodruff hosts NPR-affiliated “Line One”, co-founded The Women’s WELL Foundation, and is devoted to global health, education, and helping women thrive through midlife with confidence and clarity.📩 Have a question or comment? Email us at connect@modernmidlifecollective.com—we’d love to feature your thoughts in a future episode! Follow us on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes content.#Menopause #GenitourinarySyndrome #GSM #VaginalEstrogen #PelvicFloorTherapy #HormoneHealth #MidlifeHealth #Perimenopause #WomensHealth #ModernMidlifeCollective
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    33 mins
  • #20 - The Estrogen Lie: What the FDA Finally Admitted After 20 Years

    #20 - The Estrogen Lie: What the FDA Finally Admitted After 20 Years
    Nov 19 2025
    🎙️ Episode 20: The Estrogen Lie: What the FDA Finally Admitted After 20 YearsFor more than 20 years, women were told estrogen was dangerous — linked to breast cancer, heart attacks, stroke, and even dementia. But this month, the FDA finally admitted what menopause experts have known all along: the black box warning on estrogen was wrong.In this powerful episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jill Woodruff and Dr. Ade Akindipe break down what the FDA got right, what the WHI study got wrong, and how a single misunderstood study reshaped menopause care for an entire generation.They explain why the warning never applied to the typical woman starting hormone therapy, how relative-risk headlines fueled unnecessary fear, and why both systemic and vaginal estrogen carried risks that modern science does not support.✨ If you’ve ever been told hormones are “too risky,” this episode may change everything you thought you knew.Episode Highlights🔥 What Just Happened: The FDA’s Decision Why the FDA removed the black box warning — and why the correction is decades overdue.⚠️ What a Black Box Warning Really Means And how estrogen never met the threshold for one.📚 The WHI Study: Misinterpreted From the Start What the study measured, what it didn’t, and how early reporting went wrong.📉 The Statistics Behind the Fear Why the infamous “26% increase” wasn’t statistically significant — and what absolute risk really shows.💔 The Fallout of Fear-Based Messaging Women suffering avoidable symptoms, stopping therapy cold-turkey, and avoiding even safe vaginal estrogen.📜 What the FDA Decision Fixes Clarity. Nuance. Individualized care. Plus the critical distinction between systemic and local estrogen.🧠 Confirmation Bias & Why It Took So Long Why fear spreads faster than facts — even among clinicians.🌿 What Women Should Do Now How to start a truly informed hormone conversation with your provider.Memorable Quotes“Fear is sticky. But so is empowerment.” – Dr. Ade “The FDA didn’t say hormones are perfect. They said the warning was wrong.” – Dr. Jill “We deserve individualized care — not blanket fear.” – Dr. Jill “When women have accurate information, they make powerful decisions.” – Dr. AdeGet to know the doctors behind the insights of The Modern Midlife Collective Podcast:Dr. Aderonke "Ade" Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-CA board-certified nurse practitioner and the founder and medical director of Rejuvenate Health & Wellness. Dr. Ade created The Elevated Woman Method, helping women move beyond quick fixes and rediscover what it means to truly thrive in their bodies. With deep experience in functional medicine and lifestyle coaching, she brings a compassionate, evidence-led approach to women’s health.Her message is simple: women aren’t broken — they just need the right map back to themselves.Resources & Links from Dr. Ade: 🧾 Blood Sugar Balancing Blueprint: https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/episode-5-102825 💬 Book Your Free 60-Min Metabolic Clarity Session: https://l.bttr.to/sXiAWJillian Woodruff, MD, FACOG, NCMPA board-certified gynecologist, surgeon, and nationally certified menopause practitioner specializing in general and cosmetic gynecologic surgery. As Chief Medical Officer at Modern Gynecology & Skin, she focuses on hormone therapy, sexual medicine, aesthetic treatments, and whole-person care for women in midlife.Dr. Woodruff hosts “Line One” on Alaska Public Media, an NPR-affiliated science and medical affairs show, and is co-founder of The Women’s WELL Foundation, dedicated to advancing women’s health access and education.As co-host of The Modern Midlife Collective, she brings expertise in hormones, sexual wellness, aesthetics, and lifestyle medicine — teaching women to advocate for their health with confidence. She is passionate about global health, languages, humanitarian work, and creating a life filled with community, family, and purpose.📩 Have a question or comment? Email us at connect@modernmidlifecollective.com — we’d love to feature your thoughts in a future episode! Follow us on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes content.#Menopause #HormoneTherapy #Estrogen #WomensHealth #MidlifeHealth #Perimenopause #MenopauseEducation #FDAUpdate #WHIStudy #ModernMidlifeCollective
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    34 mins
  • #19 - Why You Wake Up at 3 AM

    #19 - Why You Wake Up at 3 AM
    Nov 5 2025
    Why You Wake Up at 3 A.M.: Sleep Disruption in Midlife ExplainedIf you’ve ever stared at the ceiling at 3 A.M., wondering why your body suddenly decided sleep was optional—you’re not alone. In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jill Woodruff and Dr. Ade Akindipe unpack one of the most frustrating mysteries of midlife: the 3 A.M. wake-up call.This isn’t just “bad sleep” or getting older—it’s your biology trying to get your attention. From cortisol surges and blood sugar dips to falling estrogen and progesterone levels, there’s a reason your mind starts racing while the world sleeps.✨ This conversation will help you understand what’s really happening inside your body—and how to restore calm, balance, and truly restful nights again.Episode Highlights🌙 The 3 A.M. Pattern Why so many midlife women wake between 2–4 A.M.—and how hormones, cortisol, and temperature swings are involved.🧠 The Science Made Simple How declining estrogen and progesterone disrupt serotonin, GABA, and body temperature regulation—your brain’s natural sleep supports💤 Quality vs. Quantity Why deep, slow-wave sleep and REM are both essential for memory, repair, and emotional stability.🍷 Hormones, Hunger & Nighttime Cravings How fragmented sleep triggers blood sugar crashes, carb cravings, and midlife weight gain.☀️ Melatonin & Morning Light Why your sleep starts with sunlight exposure—and how early daylight resets your body’s rhythm.🪞 Fixing the Foundation Science-backed sleep strategies: cool your room, limit blue light, balance blood sugar, and rethink that nightly glass of wine.🔁 Re-Training Your Nights What to do when you wake at 3 A.M.—and how to teach your body (and brain) to trust sleep again.Memorable Quotes“Think of sleep like a relationship. You can’t ignore it all day and expect fireworks at night.” – Dr. Jill “You’re not crazy—you’re just hormonally hijacked.” – Dr. Jill “Support your hormones, calm your stress response, and stabilize your blood sugar—and the 3 A.M. wake-ups start to fade.” – Dr. AdeChapters00:00 – The “Midlife Witching Hour” Explained 04:20 – What’s Really Happening Between 2–4 A.M. 08:00 – Estrogen, Progesterone & Your Sleep Cycles 12:45 – Cortisol, Blood Sugar & Nighttime Wake-Ups 17:30 – Deep Sleep, REM & Brain Health 21:15 – The Hunger-Sleep Connection 26:00 – Melatonin, Light & Resetting Your Rhythm 30:40 – Sleep Fixes That Actually Work 36:00 – How to Re-Train Your Nights 41:00 – Final Thoughts: Your Body Isn’t BrokenMeet Your HostsDr. Aderonke "Ade" Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-CA board-certified nurse practitioner and founder and medical director at Rejuvenate Health & Wellness. Dr. Ade Akindipe created The Elevated Woman Method to help women move beyond quick fixes and rediscover what it means to thrive in their bodies. With years of experience in functional medicine and lifestyle coaching, she brings a compassionate, evidence-led approach to women’s health. Dr. Ade believes women aren’t broken—they just need the right map back to themselves. Resources and links from Dr. Ade🧾 Blood Sugar Balancing Blueprint: https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/episode-5-102825💬 Book your Free 60 Metabolic Clarity Session: https://l.bttr.to/sXiAWDr. Jillian Woodruff, MD, FACOG, NCMP A board-certified gynecologist and nationally certified menopause practitioner, Dr. Woodruff is Chief Medical Officer of Modern Gynecology & Skin, host of Line One on Alaska Public Media, and co-founder of The Women’s WELL Foundation. Her mission: empower women to understand their hormones, embrace their midlife vitality, and sleep beautifully again.📩 Have a question or comment? Email us at connect@modernmidlifecollective.com—we’d love to feature your story or question in a future episode! Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and upcoming topics: @modernmidlifecollective#SleepHealth #MidlifeWellness #MenopauseRelief #Perimenopause #HormoneHealth #WomensHealth #ModernMidlifeCollective
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    30 mins
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