Breaking the Silence: Redefining Menopausal Care for Women with Obesity with Dr. Komal Patil-Sisodia

Menopause and the years leading up to it - perimenopause, are periods of significant change in a woman’s body. Working as a physician, I’ve seen firsthand how these hormonal changes can affect women, especially those struggling with weight.Unfortunately, if you're in the obesity category and considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the lack of clear guidance and support. The crucial link between weight management, menopause, and HRT often gets overlooked, leaving many women at risk and unsure about their options for treatment.In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Komal Patil-Sisodia, who is triple board-certified in endocrinology, obesity medicine, and internal medicine and passionate about improving metabolic health in the community. Together, we discuss the significant physiological changes women experience during perimenopause and menopause, the benefits of HRT in improving insulin resistance and blood sugar control, and the intricate relationship between menopause, obesity, and heart health.ReferencesWhat Is Metabolic Syndrome?You Are Not Broken Podcast by Kelly Casperson MDmenopause.orgReset/Recharge Podcast with Dr. Komal Patil-SisodiaAudio Stamps01:20 - Dr. Komal shares her background in endocrinology and how obtaining her obesity medicine board certification has helped her practice.11:48 - We find out about the importance of being proactive when it comes to starting conversations around hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with a knowledgeable physician.17:48 - Dr. Rentea and Dr. Komal emphasize the importance of seeking out healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and up-to-date about HRT and menopause management, and suggest questions to ask.21:19 - We explore the benefits of HRT, such as improving insulin resistance and blood sugar control.29:00 - We learn how menopause, obesity, and heart health are interconnected and Dr. Komal recommends safer HRT options to manage these health concerns effectively.Quotes“We are complex human beings. And what we know now and what we know through research may change five years from now. It's always important to be looking at the latest data and evolving your thought patterns as you move forward.” - Dr. Patil-Sisodia“You have to fix what you can about your environment as much as possible. And then at some point, your genetics will kick in and that's no fault of your own. That is literally what is encoded in your body. And at that point, if you've done all of the lifestyle things, it's okay to ask for help.” - Dr. Patil-Sisodia“As a medical community, for a long time we haven't shown women grace and we haven't shown patients who are struggling with obesity grace.” - Dr. Patil-Sisodia“Hormone replacement therapy should be available to all women, even those who are struggling with obesity.” - Dr. Patil-SisodiaAll of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com