Ep. 225 - Menopausal Medicine Update with NP Shelby Sheppard

In this empowering episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes nurse practitioner Shelby Sheppard, a trusted hormone and sexual health expert who has been caring for Dr. Lovely's own patients for years. Shelby's journey from labor and delivery RN to founding Pause Health reflects her deep commitment to offering women the time, space, and personalized care they deserve—something that simply cannot happen in the standard medical seven-minute appointment.

The conversation opens with the remarkable story of how Shelby helped a patient navigate postpartum depression using supplemental progesterone, challenging conventional medical dogma. They then dive into the blind spots of thyroid care, explaining why TSH alone is an unreliable marker and why T4-only medications often leave women feeling unwell. Shelby shares her philosophy of offering patients a menu of options rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

They explore the newly renamed PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) from PCOS, the underutilized role of testosterone in women's health, and the profound impact of GLP-1 medications on metabolic health and mental well-being. The episode also addresses sexual health, pleasure anatomy, and why women deserve to feel plugged back in—not just for sex, but for life.

Together, they talk about:

• Why progesterone can be a game-changer for postpartum mood support as well as perimenopausal sleep disturbances, anxiety and others.

• The limitations of TSH testing for thyroid and why free T3 and reverse T3 matter.

• How GLP-1s combined with hormone therapy offer superior metabolic results.

• Testosterone's role in motivation, confidence, and overall vitality.

• Practical tips for navigating libido changes and communicating with partners.

Tune in to learn why women's health is not a one-size-fits-all prescription—and how to become your own best advocate.

Connect with Shelby: Website: www.pausehealth.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pause_health

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode:

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