201 REPLAY: Dr Lara Briden unpacks what really matters in midlife

Send a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/tex...) This podcast originally ran on July 10th, 2025 In this episode of the Hotflash inc podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen sits down with Dr Lara Briden – a naturopath, women’s health speaker, and author of Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and Metabolism Repair for Women. Together, they unpack some of the buzziest and most confusing midlife health trends: from hormone therapy + GLP-1 combos to supplement overwhelm, vaginal estrogen, and the sudden concern over labia shrinkage. Dr Briden brings a refreshing and deeply grounded perspective to the conversation, challenging common narratives and reminding us of the biological brilliance of the female body – especially in midlife. Highlights: • The overhyped narrative about hormone therapy and GLP-1s • What GLP-1 medications really do, and why they’re fascinating to Dr. Briden • Supplements as a security blanket, and why Ann Marie and her friends are rethinking them • Taking a “supplement holiday” – what it is and why it helps • The connection between GLP-1s and gut health • What happens when you go off hormone therapy or GLP-1s? • A naturopath’s minimalist supplement travel kit • Vaginal changes in menopause: what’s real, what’s clickbait • The difference in how men vs women are told to view their bodies as they age • Vaginal estrogen and the truth about genitourinary syndrome of menopause • The bizarre labia shrinkage trend and the pressure of “perfect” body parts • Why menopause is not a mistake of evolution – it’s a feature • The danger of over-identifying with health labels • “Wear it lightly” – a powerful reframe from Dr. Briden • The trend of diagnosing yourself through Instagram • Not everyone suffers in perimenopause – and that’s okay Connect with Dr. Lara Briden: • Website: www.larabriden.com (https://www.larabriden.com/) • Instagram: @larabriden (  / larabriden  ) • X: @larabriden (  / larabriden  ) • Books: Available wherever books are sold, including Bookshop.org (https://bookshop.org/) , Amazon, and Pan Macmillan Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com (http://hotflashinc.com/) Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack (https://hotflashinc.substack.com/) TikTok: @hotflashinc (  / hotflashinc  ) Instagram: @hotflashinc (  / hotflashinc  ) X: @hotflashinc (  / hotflashinc  ) Episode website: Hotflashinc (https://thehotflashincpodcast.buzzspr...) Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy (https://www.hotflashinc.com/privacy-p...) for privacy information