The Hotflash inc podcast
Hotflash inc is an evidence, expert and human-experience driven podcast looking for the true truth in perimenopause, menopause and beyond.
In more than 100 episodes menopause and midlife journalist and host Ann Marie McQueen has spoken to a wide range of experts from around the globe, including practitioners, activists, researchers, doctors and industry leaders about this perplexing transition we still know too little about. She’s talked about her own frustrations and personal experiences. And she has connected with a perimenoposse of powerful women in the midst of a perplexing transition.
Hotflash inc is among the top 1.5 percent of podcasts in the world according to Listen Notes. It was named the number one podcast in women’s health in August 2023 by GOODPODS.
The Hotflash inc podcast
185 SOLO: Black box warnings, all about HRT (and remembering Dr Burt Webb)
On this solo episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, journalist and founder Ann Marie McQueen breaks down one of the biggest developments in menopause care in years: the FDA’s decision to remove the black box warning on vaginal and topical estrogen. Ann Marie unpacks what this means, what it doesn’t mean, and what we’re not being told in the flurry of headlines and social media excitement. She also shares insight from two menopause certified practitioners who are upcoming guest on the podcast – US ob-gyn Dr. Rachel Pope and Canadian naturopathic doctor Dr. Kirsten Smith – and reflects on the legacy of Dr Burt Webb, a beloved podcast guest and women’s health champion.
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It’s not too late to get an All Access Pass to the Hotflash inc Summit! You get lifetime access to the videos, as well as Hotflash inc Summit Book of Knowledge (top takeaways from all the interviews) and the BETA version of the Hotflash inc Hormone Therapy Navigator.
Highlights
- The FDA’s removal of the black box warning on vaginal and topical estrogen — what it really means
- The disconnect between science and media messaging
- Expert insights from Dr. Kirsten Smith and Dr. Rachel Pope on nuance, safety, and responsible communication
- Why sudden menopause isn’t the same as natural menopause — and why that distinction matters
- The quiet truth about progestins vs. progesterone
- Social media, private practice, and the influencer-doctor economy
- Vaginal options like DHEA and testosterone — and what’s missing from the conversation
- Three questions to ask yourself before starting hormone therapy
- Remembering Dr. Burt Webb — one of Ann Marie’s favorite guests
This is a solo episode hosted by Ann Marie McQueen. Additional expert commentary is provided by:
- Dr. Kirsten Smith, a naturopathic doctor practicing in Canada and Costa Rica with a focus on women’s health and hormone balancing.
- Dr. Rachel Pope, obstetrician-gynecologist, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and associate professor at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.
- Dr. Burt Webb, late OB/GYN and beloved advocate for women’s vaginal and hormonal health.
This podcast is hosted by Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of Hotflash inc, the world’s only reader-supported, research-based platform covering all aspects of menopause and midlife. With more than 30 years in journalism, Ann Marie provides evidence-based content, expert interviews, and deeply personal conversations to help women around the world navigate this
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