MEET SABINE GEE: MENOPAUSE SUFFERER TURNED EMPOWERMENT COACH "MENO-GUIDE"

INTRODUCTION

The Women's Health Collaborative and the producers of Meno-News and MenoTalks (healthcast) is proud to introduce Ms. Sabine Gee, a midlife health and wellness expert and menopause coach.  The WHC Professional Spotlight Series selects one member based on merit and/or contribution to the community. In the case of the topic of menopause, Ms. Gee captured the attention of our clinical directors for her work as a patient advocate, a researcher and for her dedicated outreach initiative to perimenopausal women and current sufferers.  "She makes complete sense out of everything she shares with us", states Marilyn Abrahamson (host of MenoTalks). "Sabine has the voice of compassion, deep insight and true commitment to finding answers for us, including her experience based discoveries that truly help guide us all during this challenging and transformative process!"

MENO-GUIDANCE 101:
By Sabine Gee (From an interview with Women's Health Digest - 3/22/2025)

I'm nationally board certified. Since hitting menopause unexpectedly at 55, I've dedicated my work to helping women through this transition. I've always worked with women around wellness and encouraging better lifestyle choices.

When I experienced menopause, I had nowhere to turn and no clear answers. That drove me to become an expert in the field. I consulted with doctors across Europe and developed a holistic program focused on mindset, menopause education, and lifestyle tweaks. My goal is to help women not only manage symptoms but also lay the foundation for a long and healthy life.

Doctors often don’t have clear answers when it comes to perimenopause. Many women go from doctor to doctor without resolution. That’s where I step in. As a holistic coach, I bridge the gap—helping women identify symptoms and guiding them to the appropriate specialists. For example, heart palpitations are common in perimenopause. A woman might see a cardiologist, be told her heart is fine, and leave without answers. I hear these stories all the time.

(To Be Continued)

The Many Faces of Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Disease By: Dr. Robert Bard - MenoScan.org Heart disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are umbrella terms encompassing a wide range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. These conditions can lead to serious complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and even death. Understanding the various types of heart disease can help individuals recognize symptoms early, seek appropriate treatment, and take preventative measures to maintain heart health. * RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE is caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can damage heart valves. It often develops from untreated or inadequately treated strep throat infections. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats. Prevention through early treatment of strep infections is crucial, and management includes medications and sometimes valve surgery. * STROKE occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either due to a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). This can cause brain damage, disability, or death. Symptoms include sudden weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, and loss of coordination. Treatment involves clot-busting drugs, surgery, and rehabilitation. * PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE) occurs when a blood clot, usually from a DVT, travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow. This can be life-threatening, causing sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and rapid heart rate. Immediate treatment with anticoagulants, thrombolytics, or surgery is necessary to prevent fatal complications. ( SEE COMPLETE FEATURE ON MENO-NEWS ) * Check other introductions to amazing professionals at: WOMEN'S HEALTH DIGEST

I explain to women what’s happening during perimenopause and menopause—how hormonal shifts affect the mind and body—so they know what to expect. I help them chart a path forward and, when necessary, refer them to the right professionals.

Before menopause, women are at a lower risk for heart disease. But once menopause hits, that risk increases and becomes equal to that of men. This is largely due to declining estradiol, which helps keep our blood vessels flexible. As levels drop, vessels become more rigid, increasing the risk of plaque development. Unfortunately, many women don’t realize this and don't receive the support they need—whether that’s through hormone therapy, phytoestrogens, or lifestyle changes. I help women understand their options and take proactive steps for heart health.

Now let’s talk about other symptoms: hot flashes, cognitive changes, hair loss. These are real and common. If I were speaking to a woman in her thirties, I’d say prevention is key. By understanding what’s coming and making lifestyle changes early, you set yourself up for a smoother transition later.

Perimenopause begins around age 35. Progesterone starts to drop, ovulation becomes less regular, and estrogen fluctuates wildly. It’s a bit like puberty in reverse. Women might experience irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and more. Menopause itself is just one day—marked by a full year without a period. After that, you're postmenopausal. Hormone levels stabilize at a lower level, and symptoms may ease.

To women in their thirties: know what’s ahead. Begin tracking changes, prioritize fitness, and consider getting baseline health diagnostics. Muscle loss, for example, starts early. Getting strong now sets you up for a better quality of life during and after the transition.

#     #     #

Sponsored AD:

---

RECENT FINDINGS RELATING HASHIMOTO’S THYROIDITIS WITH ABNORMAL VASCULARITY

By: Robert L. Bard, MD

A woman in her 70s presented for routine follow-up of a previously identified left thyroid nodule, though there was no immediate clinical indication for concern. 

Slide 1: On ultrasound imaging, the left thyroid lobe revealed a complex nodule with features that appeared likely benign. Notably, there were no suspicious characteristics such as irregular margins, microcalcifications, or abnormal vascularity.

In the right lobe, we observed a small, simple cyst—anechoic and well-circumscribed, consistent with benign features. However, situated just beneath the cyst was a hypoechoic area lacking the echogenic brightness typically associated with cystic thyroid lesions. This darker region raised suspicion due to its decreased reflectivity, potentially indicating underlying fibrosis or chronic inflammatory changes rather than a simple fluid-filled structure.

To further characterize these findings, we evaluated vascular flow using Doppler imaging. The left lobe lesion demonstrated internal complex components but lacked hypervascularity or flow patterns consistent with malignancy. In contrast, the right lobe's suspicious area prompted us to perform elastography (strain imaging), which revealed a dark blue signal in the region. This finding suggests increased stiffness in the tissue, which is commonly associated with edema or inflammatory infiltration—features that are often seen in early or non-fibrosing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. These findings warrant closer follow-up and possible serologic correlation for thyroid autoimmunity (e.g., TPO antibodies).

Slide Two (below): In a separate view, the carotid artery appears as a dark red structure lateral to the thyroid. Medial to the artery lies a well-defined, low-vascular lesion. Its stable appearance over time, combined with its imaging characteristics, supports a benign etiology—most likely an inflammatory pseudonodule or a reactive lymph node, both of which are common in autoimmune thyroiditis.

These slides help illustrate a key principle in ultrasound interpretation: the transmission of sound through different tissues. Fluid-filled cysts tend to have high acoustic transmission, resulting in enhanced posterior echoes or acoustic enhancement—appearing whiter behind the cyst due to increased signal. In contrast, solid lesions with dense fibrosis or malignant components attenuate sound waves, leading to darker posterior shadows. Therefore, areas with poor posterior enhancement (i.e., low acoustic transmission) are more likely to represent fibrotic tissue or malignancy.

---

SCIENCE NEWS

Inflammation, DHT, and the Biochemical Cascade of Hair Loss: A Scientific Overview: by Dr. Jordan Plews

Hair loss is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetic, hormonal, and inflammatory factors. Understanding the roles of DHT and inflammation provides insight into the pathogenesis of AGA and informs effective prevention and treatment strategies. Early intervention is crucial, as inflammation and follicular damage can progress unnoticed until significant hair loss has occurred, while genetic factors (such as expression of MMP genes) in some can lead to fibrosis and result in more difficult to treat hair loss. By focusing on inflammation as an early warning sign, treatment target, and significant factor to consider when diagnosing, tracking, and treating hair loss, existing methodologies can be greatly improved. Ongoing research continues to elucidate the complex mechanisms underlying hair loss, paving the way for more targeted and effective therapies. See Dr. Jordan Plews comprehensive overview on MENONEWS and the recent issue on the HOUSE OF HAIR

Understanding Thyroid Health: Key Insights on Hormones, Longevity, and Wellness

Thyroid health plays a critical role in nearly every physiological process of the body, influencing metabolism, brain function, heart health, and more. Yet, despite its significance, the nuances of thyroid function remain elusive for many. As we age, maintaining optimal thyroid function is an essential component of overall well-being, and understanding the balance of thyroid hormones can help prevent future health challenges.  See Dr. Angela Mazza's full report on Thyroid Health @ this season's MenoNews.