What this episode is about
A Yale-trained MD shares why menopause isn't a diagnosis to fix but a natural transition your body already knows how to navigate, plus practical ways to support your innate wisdom.
Key takeaways
- Gabriella says natural medicine helped her a lot, and at a tipping point she leaned into conventional medicine too. She asks how to honor both, since both are here to help.
- Dr. Romm says real medical diagnoses often get dismissed as normal for a woman, or as something you should just deal with.
- Dr. Romm says seven hours of sleep and 10 minutes of meditation or journaling a day can reduce stress and fatigue. That also means fewer sugar cravings.
Moments from this episode
Word for word from the recording. Tap a time to hear it.
Nobody regrets trusting their gut
“A couple of times on my Instagram I've posted just a very simple quote, which says, I wish I hadn't listened to my intuition, said no woman ever.”
Hormone problems reflect our modern world
“Just because you're having hormone problems doesn't mean you're broken. It means that we're living in a world that creates fractures in how we communicate this biological messaging that we're supposed to be creating.”
Aim for nurtured over balanced
“If we can stay nurtured, not balanced but nurtured, we're more likely to have the energy and the resilience.”
Pleasure is part of your health
“Have pleasure be as important a part of our health and well-being as our nutrition, our sleep, and our exercise.”
“It is this understanding that our bodies are these beautiful, constantly evolving vessels, and it takes that awareness of pausing and reassessing.”
Gabriella Espinosaat 34:46
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Show notes
Society often portrays menopause as something to dread - a slow decline of vitality or a problem to fix.
But what if we viewed this transition differently? What if menopause isn't the end of anything, but the beginning of a powerful new chapter?
I recently sat down with Dr. Aviva Romm, often called "the face of natural medicine in the 21st century," to explore how women can work with their body's innate wisdom during menopause. As a Yale-trained MD, midwife, and herbalist with over three decades of experience, Dr. Romm brings a unique perspective that bridges conventional medicine with natural healing traditions.
Read the full show notesShow less
The Blueprint Within: Understanding Your Body's Hormone Intelligence
"Being a woman is not a diagnosis," Dr. Romm emphasizes. She explains that our bodies contain an ancient blueprint designed to orchestrate our hormones - what she calls "hormone intelligence." This isn't just about managing symptoms; it's about understanding and supporting our body's natural processes.
"From the beginning of time, women have had a very clear biological blueprint," Dr. Romm notes. "We start menstruating around a certain typical age range, we become able to get pregnant around a certain typical age range, we go into menopause around a certain typical age range."
Key aspects of hormonal intelligence:
- Natural hormone cycles that have existed since ancient times
- Built-in biological wisdom that guides transitions
- Body signals that communicate needs and changes
- Internal rhythms that regulate health and wellness
Modern Challenges to Our Natural Systems
Our bodies' natural intelligence faces unprecedented challenges in today's world. Dr. Romm explains how various factors can disrupt our hormones' messages:
- Environmental factors:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in everyday products
- Exposure to artificial light and screen time
- Processed foods and agricultural chemicals
- Lifestyle impacts:
Chronic stress and high cortisol levels
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Insufficient nutrition
- Gut microbiome imbalances
- Social pressures:
Cultural stigma around aging
- Pressure to maintain youthful appearance
- Lack of support during transition
The Power of Integrative Support
Rather than seeing natural and conventional medicine as opposing forces, Dr. Romm advocates for an integrative approach. She compares it to receiving a gift bag full of options:
"Imagine if you went to a conference or party and got a beautiful goody bag... You get to pick what works for you. You can keep what you love, share what others might need more, and save some things for later."
Essential elements of integrative support:
- Nutritional foundations
- Stress management techniques
- Sleep optimization
- Movement and exercise
- Community connection
- Medical support when needed
Pleasure as Medicine: Reconnecting with Joy
One of the most powerful insights from our conversation was Dr. Romm's emphasis on pleasure as a vital component of health. She calls it "Vitamin P" - pleasure as an essential nutrient for wellbeing.
"Your pleasure is not selfish or indulgent," she explains. "It is essential to your overall health, happiness, and longevity."
Ways to cultivate pleasure:
- Movement that brings joy (like Dr. Romm's salsa classes)
- Creative expression
- Time with friends
- Sensual exploration
- Natural beauty and outdoor connection
- Food enjoyment without restriction
Rewriting the Story of Menopause
"Menopause isn't something that happens to us," Dr. Romm emphasizes. "It's a transformative journey we get to meet with open eyes, informed hearts, and the radical belief that our bodies are not broken - they are brilliant."
Core principles for navigating menopause:
- Trust your body's wisdom
- Listen to your inner knowing
- Honor your changing needs
- Create new rituals and practices
- Build supportive communities
- Celebrate this life transition
Moving Forward with Wisdom
Dr. Romm reminds us that menopause is an opportunity to set the foundation for decades of vibrant health ahead. By working with our body's natural intelligence and supporting it with both ancient wisdom and modern knowledge, we can create a menopause experience that feels empowering and life-affirming.
*About our guest:**Dr. Aviva Romm, often referred to as the "face of natural medicine in the 21st century," is a midwife, herbalist, Yale-trained MD, and an unwavering advocate for holistic and integrative health. She is the author of several books that span all stages of a woman's life including the much lovedHormone Intelligence: The Complete Guide to Calming Chaos and Restoring Your Body's Natural Blueprint for Well-Being. With over three decades of experience, she's been at the forefront of a movement to reclaim menopause as a natural, powerful transition, a rite of passage that deserves not fear, but reverence in today's conversation.*
- Website: avivaromm.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/dr.avivaromm
About the guest
Dr. Aviva RommYale-trained MD, midwife, herbalistGuest on this episode of Pleasure in the Pause.More about them
