Published: May, 2026
Featured Physician
Cathleen M. BrownHost
Dr. Cathleen Brown, Winona's Medical Director and board-certified OB-GYN, joined Stacey Doyle on The Doc Lounge Podcast for the episode "Menopause, HRT & Telehealth: Dr. Cathleen Brown, OB-GYN on Filling the Gap."
In this conversation, Dr. Brown discusses her path from military medicine to menopause care, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, and how telehealth is helping close long-standing gaps in access to menopause care.
Podcast: The Doc Lounge Podcast
Episode Title: Menopause, HRT & Telehealth: Dr. Cathleen Brown, OB-GYN on Filling the Gap
Host: Stacey Doyle
Guest: Dr. Cathleen Brown
Published Date: May 6, 2026
Episode Duration: 23 minutes
Format: Audio and Video Interview
Main Topics: Menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), telehealth
The Doc Lounge Podcast, hosted by Stacey Doyle, is where physicians come to talk shop, swap stories, and figure out what's next in their careers. It's brought to you by Pacific Companies.
In this episode, Stacey speaks with Dr. Brown about her military-to-civilian medical career, why menopause care has long been overlooked, and how telehealth is helping expand access for women seeking hormone therapy.
In this episode of The Doc Lounge Podcast, Dr. Brown shares how her 12 years of military medicine, including her OB-GYN residency and service across Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine communities, shaped her approach to personalized, patient-centered care. She explains why menopause has historically been under-researched and under-taught in medical school, tracing it partly to fallout from the early 2000s Women's Health Initiative study.
The conversation also covers the wide-ranging health benefits of hormone therapy, including bone, heart, cognitive, and sexual health, and how telehealth companies like Winona are helping close the "care desert" for women whose in-person doctors don't feel comfortable prescribing HRT.
Transitioning from military medicine to menopause care
Why menopause care has been historically under-taught in medical training
The lasting impact of the Women's Health Initiative study
Health benefits of hormone replacement therapy
Bone health and osteoporosis prevention
Heart health and cardiovascular risk
Cognitive function and brain fog
Vaginal estrogen for genitourinary symptoms
How telehealth bridges gaps in menopause care access
Advice for physicians who don't specialize in menopause
The future of women's health and hormone therapy education
Dr. Brown explains that menopause training was historically minimal in medical school, partly due to fallout from the early 2000s Women's Health Initiative study, which discouraged many physicians from prescribing hormone therapy. She notes this is changing as more physicians, including those now entering the menopause transition themselves, push for better education and care.
Dr. Brown describes hormone therapy as the most effective treatment for hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog, while also highlighting preventive benefits for bone density, heart health, cognitive function, and sexual health as estrogen levels decline.
Dr. Brown explains that telehealth exists for women who don't have access to an in-person doctor comfortable treating menopause symptoms. She notes that some patients who start care through Winona later return to in-person doctors who become more willing to prescribe hormone therapy after seeing their results.
Dr. Brown suggests that even doctors uncomfortable prescribing systemic hormone therapy can safely offer local vaginal estrogen to help with genitourinary symptoms, and points to educational resources like the Menopause Society's courses and Winona's own patient education content.
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
The Doc Lounge with Stacey Doyle.
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 a board-certified OB-GYN, was featured in this episode of The Doc Lounge Podcast.
Dr. Brown discussed her military medical background, why menopause care has been historically under-taught, the health benefits of hormone therapy, and how telehealth is expanding access to menopause care.
The Doc Lounge Podcast is hosted by Stacey Doyle and produced by Pacific Companies.
The episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and the show's Castos episode page.
Dr. Brown discussed benefits for bone health, heart health, cognitive function, and sexual health, in addition to relief from hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog.
