Yes, we ALL need to hone our listening skills, don’t we?!!
Thank you Kevin Pho, MD for a fun podcast episode. I truly enjoyed talking about menopause as well as my book, The Menopause Menu.
Oh, and Kevin or his staff (and AI?) tidied-up my conversation about listening skills in menopause discussions, hah!
Next time you have a 15 minute break go grab a cup of coffee or tea, put up your feet and enjoy.
Here are several links to the episode:
On KevinMD
On YouTube (see below)
The Podcast by KevinMD
Apple Podcast
Here’s Kevin’s intro:
Join Susan J. Baumgaertel, an internal medicine physician. In this conversation, we dive into her book, The Menopause Menu, as Susan sheds light on navigating the complex intersection of menopause and chronic diseases.
And here’s my (rambling!) response to the question, “What should I keep in mind when discussing menopause with women?”
“Well, it may sound simple, but it’s incredibly impactful: active listening. Many women, including myself as a patient, often experience rushed doctor’s appointments. You know how it goes—you’re in and out, and it feels like there’s a million things to juggle. You’re literally standing at the door, running behind schedule.
In such a fast-paced environment, there’s a tendency to jump straight into ordering a battery of tests. And when those tests come back normal, it can be frustrating. It’s like, “Well, I don’t know, maybe you should exercise more.” Well, of course, they probably already know that.
So, the key is truly listening to what these women are going through, creating some space for their experiences. It’s challenging, but taking the time for that meaningful dialogue is essential. We need to ensure that women don’t feel dismissed or labeled as overly emotional or hysterical. There are some fascinating things happening in a woman’s body leading up to menopause, and acknowledging those experiences is crucial.”
For more topical videos, hop on over to my YouTube channel—and, please subscribe.