EP. 230: From Stiff to Strong - the muscular effects of aging with Dr. Fiona Lovely

In this special re-airing, listeners are invited to revisit a highly requested interview from the Women Aging Powerfully 2025 Summit. The host Leah Vachani sits down with menopause medicine and functional neurology expert Dr. Fiona Lovely to pull back the curtain on Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause, or MSM. Drawing on two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Lovely expertly details this underdiagnosed condition, which affects seventy-one percent of women and manifests as joint stiffness, declining muscle mass, and bone density loss. The conversation provides a comprehensive look at the body's response to estrogen loss and the protective role of contemporary Hormone Replacement Therapy. Listeners will discover how bioidentical progesterone and topical estradiol can reduce pain while preserving muscle. Furthermore, the discussion highlights the necessity of optimizing daily protein intake to stabilize blood sugar and fight sarcopenia. Resistance training is presented as non-negotiable for metabolic health, alongside practical strategies for advocating for proper medical care. Episode Highlights: * Understanding MSM and its prevalence among women. * The protective benefits of bioidentical progesterone and estradiol. * Why optimal protein consumption is crucial for fighting sarcopenia. * The importance of resistance training and balance exercises for cognitive and metabolic health. Practical tips for advocating for contemporary treatments at the doctor's office. For full access to the summit, visit https://womenagingpowerfully.com. Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: 💧If vaginal dryness or discomfort is disrupting your day, Womaness's Melt For You inserts offer a gentle, deeply restorative way to find relief. Completely hormone-free and safe to use alongside HRT, these applicator-free suppositories use hyaluronic and lactic acids to naturally replenish moisture, stabilize hydration, and support your vaginal microbiome. Because supporting your body through menopause means feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. Head to womaness.com [https://womaness.com/lovely] and use code LOVELY for a special discount. 💙If you're noticing fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin — thanks menopause —ugh, me too. Menopause can deplete your skin's collagen, speeding up aging. But here's the game-changer: Vitali Skincare has built its entire line on the power of GHK-Cu copper peptides — a proven ingredient that signals your skin's stem cells to produce new, healthy collagen. Head to vitaliskincare.com [https://www.vitaliskincare.com/?ref=lovely] and use the code LOVELY at checkout for 20% off. Be sure to check out the Vita exosome serum for less saggy, dull skin. How to work with Dr. Lovely: We get many requests for this info, so here it is! First off, thank you for listening to the NYMM podcast. It's because of your support - listening and sharing the episodes and using our product links, we can continue to dispense this information.❤️ Thank you! 🙏🏼 Follow Dr. Lovely on IG [https://www.instagram.com/drfionalovely/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@drfionalovely]: @drfionalovely Follow the podcast on Facebook: