Published: December, 2023
Published: December, 2023
Featured Physician
Cathleen M. BrownHost
Dr. Cathleen Brown, Winona’s Medical Director and board-certified OB-GYN, joined host Maria Leonard Olsen on Becoming Your Best Version for Episode 48, “A Conversation with Dr. Cathleen Brown, Revolutionizing Healthcare for Women in Menopause.”
In this conversation, Dr. Brown discusses menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy, the role of telehealth in women’s health, and why women deserve to feel heard, informed, and supported when seeking menopause care.
Podcast: Becoming Your Best Version
Episode: 48
Episode Title: A Conversation with Dr. Cathleen Brown, Revolutionizing Healthcare for Women in Menopause
Host: Maria Leonard Olsen
Guest: Dr. Cathleen Brown
Published Date: December 3, 2023
Episode Duration: 33 minutes
Format: Audio Interview
Main Topics: Menopause, hormone replacement therapy, telehealth care, women’s health
Becoming Your Best Version is an award-winning podcast hosted by Maria Leonard Olsen. Through conversations with inspiring guests, the show explores personal growth, women’s voices, work, wellness, and the lessons that can help people approach life with greater purpose and confidence.
In this episode, Olsen speaks with Dr. Brown about navigating menopause, recognizing symptoms that may affect daily life, and the importance of accessible, compassionate healthcare for women in midlife.
Visit Maria Leonard OlsenIn this episode of Becoming Your Best Version, Dr. Brown discusses how menopause can affect far more than periods or hot flashes. The conversation covers brain fog, anxiety, mood changes, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, low libido, and the ways symptoms can affect relationships, work, and overall well-being.
Dr. Brown also explains why menopause care should be personalized. She discusses the importance of listening to symptoms, considering a woman’s health history and lifestyle, and finding treatment options that fit her needs. The episode also explores how telehealth can make physician-led menopause care more accessible for women who may not have local access to a doctor experienced in menopause treatment.
Menopause and perimenopause symptoms that can affect daily life
Brain fog, anxiety, mood changes, and sleep disruption during midlife
Vaginal dryness, low libido, and sexual wellness
Why women may feel dismissed when seeking menopause care
Hormone replacement therapy and individualized treatment decisions
Bioidentical hormones and different HRT treatment formats
Why hormone testing is not routinely needed for every patient
How to evaluate health information found online
Shared decision-making between patients and physicians
How telehealth can help expand access to menopause care
The importance of seeking another medical opinion when concerns are dismissed
Putting women’s health and well-being first during midlife
Dr. Brown discusses how hormone changes during perimenopause and menopause may affect cognitive clarity, sleep, mood, and resilience. Symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and mood shifts can be disruptive, especially when women do not recognize that menopause may be part of the picture.
A central message of the episode is that women should not feel forced to accept dismissal of symptoms that are affecting their health or quality of life. Dr. Brown encourages women to keep asking questions, seek a second opinion when needed, and find a doctor who listens to their concerns.
Dr. Brown explains that menopause care is not one-size-fits-all. Treatment decisions should account for symptoms, health history, risk factors, lifestyle, and personal preferences, including what type of treatment plan is realistic and sustainable for each woman.
The episode discusses why hormone levels can fluctuate and may not always provide the most useful information for guiding menopause care. For many women, symptom history and physician evaluation are central to determining what care may be appropriate, though testing or in-person evaluation may be needed in certain circumstances.
Dr. Brown discusses how telehealth can help women access physician-reviewed menopause care when local options are limited or when long waits make it difficult to get support. She also emphasizes that some medical histories, symptoms, or concerns may require in-person evaluation or specialist care.
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Cathleen Brown is a menopause specialist and physician with Winona. She brings a physician’s perspective to menopause, perimenopause, hormone changes, symptom care, and treatment options during midlife.
At Winona, Dr. Brown helps women better understand symptoms, health history, hormone changes, and when physician-reviewed care may be appropriate.
Watch the full conversation with Dr. Cathleen M. Brown on
Becoming Your Best Version with Maria Leonard Olsen.
Winona helps women access menopause and perimenopause care from home. Start with a short health questionnaire, and a board-certified physician will review your symptoms, health history, and treatment options.
Dr. Cathleen Brown, Winona’s Medical Director and board-certified OB-GYN, was featured in this episode of Becoming Your Best Version.
Dr. Cathleen Brown appeared on Episode 48, “A Conversation with Dr. Cathleen Brown, Revolutionizing Healthcare for Women in Menopause.”
Dr. Brown discussed menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy, brain fog, anxiety, sleep disruption, telehealth care, and the importance of individualized menopause treatment.
Becoming Your Best Version is hosted by Maria Leonard Olsen, a lawyer, journalist, author, speaker, and advocate for women’s voices.
The episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and other podcast platforms.
