On Decoding Women’s Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor—world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and Chair of Women’s Health at the Atria Health Institute—cuts through the noise to bring you the latest science on midlife women’s health. Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.

Decoding Women's Health begins on October 7, with episodes releasing every other Tuesday.

On Decoding Women&rsquo;s Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor&mdash;world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and Chair of Women&rsquo;s Health at the Atria Health Institute&mdash;cuts through the noise to bring you the latest science on midlife women&rsquo;s health. Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.
Decoding Women's Health begins on October 7, with episodes releasing every other Tuesday.

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women’s health & gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women’s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.

Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women’s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife—from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.

Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive. 

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women&rsquo;s health &amp; gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women&rsquo;s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.
Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women&rsquo;s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife&mdash;from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.
Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.&nbsp;

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Introducing: Decoding Women’s Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/516fbb35-8734-40d5-a46f-b36401061ebc/transcript

Integrative health expert & naturopathic physician Dr. Robert Kachko shares his powerful framework for better understanding our biology, our ecology and our biography. His holistic approach helps patients navigate PTSD, trauma, and chronic conditions. 

His work centers on some really powerful questions: Why does a body get sick? What are our symptoms trying to tell us? And how can that information be reverse engineered into a treatment plan?

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

Somatic Experiencing

Trauma and Violence

Veterans Administration National Center for PTSD

Remission from post-traumatic stress disorder in the general population 

Remission from post-traumatic stress disorder in the general population

Recovery from DSM-IV post-traumatic stress disorder in the WHO World Mental Health surveys

Assessing Primary Care Contributions to Behavioral Health: A Cross-sectional Study Using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

Clinician's Guide to Medications for PTSD

2023 U.S. Surgeon General - Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation

‘Dunbar's number’ deconstructed

Why friendship and loneliness affect our health

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Integrative health expert &amp; naturopathic physician Dr. Robert Kachko shares his powerful framework for better understanding our biology, our ecology and our biography. His holistic approach helps patients navigate PTSD, trauma, and chronic conditions.&nbsp;
His work centers on some really powerful questions: Why does a body get sick? What are our symptoms trying to tell us? And how can that information be reverse engineered into a treatment plan?
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://naturopathic.org/">American Association of Naturopathic Physicians</a>
<a href="https://traumahealing.org/">Somatic Experiencing</a>
<a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/trauma-violence">Trauma and Violence</a>
<a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp">Veterans Administration National Center for PTSD</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22166813/">Remission from post-traumatic stress disorder in the general population&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/remission-from-posttraumatic-stress-disorder-in-the-general-population/2A389D6AB903349910C8FFE0D31A5AC8">Remission from post-traumatic stress disorder in the general population</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5758426/">Recovery from DSM-IV post-traumatic stress disorder in the WHO World Mental Health surveys</a>
<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/21501327211023871">Assessing Primary Care Contributions to Behavioral Health: A Cross-sectional Study Using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey</a>
<a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/clinician_guide_meds.asp">Clinician's Guide to Medications for PTSD</a>
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf">2023 U.S. Surgeon General - Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation</a>
<a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsbl/article/17/5/20210158/62916/Dunbar-s-number-deconstructed-Dunbar-s-number">&lsquo;Dunbar's number&rsquo; deconstructed</a>
<a href="https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nyas.15309?af=R">Why friendship and loneliness affect our health</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Trauma Healing with Dr. Robert Kachko

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7c2aae3e-141c-43b2-be0e-b4170032b064/transcript

We’re tackling your questions about midlife hormone support. We’ll debunk common myths, unpack the research, and break down the basics of hormone support. We’ll also discuss some of the systemic benefits that may come with taking hormones, as well as important considerations for people with a history of health conditions, like cancer or stroke. Joining Dr. Elizabeth Poynor for this discussion is Atria Health Institute’s Chief Content Officer Siobhan O’Connor. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

(00:25:29) - Decoding Happiness in Midlife with Dr. Laurie Santos

(00:27:27) - Decoding Brain Fog with Dr. Caroline Gurvich

(00:48:00) - Decoding Partnership in Midlife with Dr. Richard Shapiro

Vaginal estrogen use in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of recurrence and mortality risks

Oral micronized progesterone for perimenopausal night sweats and hot flushes a Phase III Canada-wide randomized placebo-controlled 4 month trial

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of menopause hormone therapy on risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Endometrial Cancer

Allopregnanolone and Reproductive Psychiatry: An Overview

Adverse Changes in Body Composition During the Menopausal Transition and Relation to Cardiovascular Risk: A Contemporary Review

The role of lifestyle medicine in menopausal health: a review of non-pharmacologic interventions

Skeletal muscle as an endocrine organ: PGC-1α, myokines and exercise

ADHD and Sex Hormones in Females: A Systematic Review

The range and variation in serum estradiol concentration in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women treated with transdermal estradiol in a real-world setting: a cross-sectional study

The use of HRT containing transdermal estradiol in women with a personal history of venous or arterial thromboembolism: A consecutive series of 115 cases

Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2025)

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

We&rsquo;re tackling your questions about midlife hormone support. We&rsquo;ll debunk common myths, unpack the research, and break down the basics of hormone support. We&rsquo;ll also discuss some of the systemic benefits that may come with taking hormones, as well as important considerations for people with a history of health conditions, like cancer or stroke. Joining Dr. Elizabeth Poynor for this discussion is Atria Health Institute&rsquo;s Chief Content Officer Siobhan O&rsquo;Connor.&nbsp;
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
(00:25:29) <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decoding-happiness-in-midlife-with-dr-laurie-santos/id1839991627?i=1000743140356">- Decoding Happiness in Midlife with Dr. Laurie Santos</a>
(00:27:27) <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decoding-brain-fog-with-dr-caroline-gurvich/id1839991627?i=1000730519458">- Decoding Brain Fog with Dr. Caroline Gurvich</a>
(00:48:00) <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decoding-partnership-in-midlife-with-dr-richard-shapiro/id1839991627?i=1000749021960">- Decoding Partnership in Midlife with Dr. Richard Shapiro</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39521301/">Vaginal estrogen use in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of recurrence and mortality risks</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10241804/">Oral micronized progesterone for perimenopausal night sweats and hot flushes a Phase III Canada-wide randomized placebo-controlled 4 month trial</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10625913/">Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of menopause hormone therapy on risk of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and dementia</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3775978/">Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Endometrial Cancer</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6594874/">Allopregnanolone and Reproductive Psychiatry: An Overview</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9258798/">Adverse Changes in Body Composition During the Menopausal Transition and Relation to Cardiovascular Risk: A Contemporary Review</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40937901/">The role of lifestyle medicine in menopausal health: a review of non-pharmacologic interventions</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4657151/">Skeletal muscle as an endocrine organ: PGC-1&alpha;, myokines and exercise</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12145478/">ADHD and Sex Hormones in Females: A Systematic Review</a>
<a href="https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2025/02000/the_range_and_variation_in_serum_estradiol.2.aspx">The range and variation in serum estradiol concentration in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women treated with transdermal estradiol in a real-world setting: a cross-sectional study</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12669395/">The use of HRT containing transdermal estradiol in women with a personal history of venous or arterial thromboembolism: A consecutive series of 115 cases</a>
<a href="https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/recurrent-uti">Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2025)</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Your Hormone Support Questions with Siobhan O’Connor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f25406b3-e8dc-44b7-bc1b-b409000adc9a/transcript

Leading preventive neurologist Dr. David Dodick joins the show to unpack what alcohol is really doing inside the body. We dive into how it affects the brain, why it’s linked to an increased cancer risk, how it influences the immune system, and what makes alcohol especially impactful for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

If you’ve ever wondered what alcohol use might mean for your long-term health, this conversation is for you.

Special thanks to Antonia Lyons

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Office of the Surgeon General: Alcohol and Cancer Risk 

Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission 

Women's alcohol use in mid-life: Identifying associations between menopause symptoms, drinking behavior, and mental health 

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Leading preventive neurologist Dr. David Dodick joins the show to unpack what alcohol is really doing inside the body. We dive into how it affects the brain, why it&rsquo;s linked to an increased cancer risk, how it influences the immune system, and what makes alcohol especially impactful for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered what alcohol use might mean for your long-term health, this conversation is for you.
Special thanks to <a href="https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/antonia-lyons">Antonia Lyons</a>
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/alcohol-cancer/index.html">Office of the Surgeon General: Alcohol and Cancer Risk</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract">Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41059530/">Women's alcohol use in mid-life: Identifying associations between menopause symptoms, drinking behavior, and mental health</a>&nbsp;
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Alcohol with Dr. David Dodick

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a87b5a73-1855-40ce-9574-b3fa017c27a5/transcript

Introducing: Decoding Women’s Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

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Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

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