Dr. Christiane Northrup returns to The Oprah Winfrey Show for not one, but two incredible shows this fall! The first show is scheduled to air on Tuesday, October 16th. It features Dr. Northrup one-on-one with Oprah, who confesses (among other things!) that she keeps her copy of The Wisdom of Menopause next to her bed. Tune in for the fun, fears, and facts of being 35+ as Dr. Northrup debunks the myths of menopause and offers hope and health to the millions of women who are entering (or in!) what can be the most confusing part of their lives. Be uplifted when Dr. Northrup explains why the "change" is a dynamic and exciting transition.

Stay tuned: The second show, scheduled to air later in the fall (date to come, we'll keep you posted) is another must-see show. Oprah and Dr. Northrup go one-on-one again (as only they can) to answer a full hour of audience questions, including the ones you were sure they'd be afraid to ask! It's a fun, frolicking, and informative hour about a woman's body that you won't want to miss.

Don't miss Dr. Northrup and Oprah Tuesday, October 16th on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Check local listings for show times for your area.

Thank you Gramz, I will be sure to catch that one, should be interesting huh?

She's on today!

Gramz thankyou so much for sharing this. I have it set to record on dvr. Hugs Lizardlover

Dear Gramz
Off to watch Oprah now!!
Thanks SO much for this information....and thanks (((Loganbil))) For reminding this ole Meno-Mama to stay tuned.

HUGS
Dottie

I would love to watch this but I am at work. All of you ladies please report back to us about how she explains why this is a dynamic and exciting change, because I really need to focus on that right now!!!

Sally

I'm just interested what you guys thought of Northrup on Opray?

Let's see, I got:

eat right
exercise
cut back on the caffeine
put yourself first--pamper yourself--like get massages, etc
have lots of sex
Oh yeah--look in the mirror and whisper sweet nothings to yourself

Did I miss anything?

Miss Tibbs

LOL..Miss Tibbs



I must have missed something too. If it were only that easy......geesh.

I'm too freaking tired, hot and cranky to pamper myself. It's an effort to exercise on a daily basis. Sex? WTH is that? When I "feel" like it, it's not available (which is rare) and when it's available I don't want it ---> tired, hot and cranky.

Seriously, I love Dr. Northrup.

I saw this post too late to watch Oprah, but it doesn't sound like I missed much. I am, however, reading The Wisdom of Menopause, and love it. I'm kicking myself for not reading it as soon as it was published in 2001! I believe if I had (or found Power Surge then), I would have had a better understanding of this time of my life, and maybe a less difficult time as well. The book is fantastic -- a must read for everyone!

Oh good.... I missed it but I guess I really didn't miss anything .

Well, I was going along merrily with my life--doing everything the doc says you should do--except for the sex and talking to myself when I got HIT with this second round of menopause symptoms. Since I had been having great success with St. Johns wort and soy for years-it took me a while to realize what was happening to me--again. Mental symptoms were first and the when the first hotflash hit--the penny dropped. I must have bought every OTC remedy they make--gave them all a good try too--at least three months each--and I just got worse. It wasn't until my body got what it was missing (hormones) that I finally started to surface from that deep dark place.

To be fair I did hear her quickly mention balancing hormones twice--but she never went into any detail--just said how we were in labor giving birth to our new selves--and the symtoms weren't what really was wrong. I beg to differ with her. The symptoms weren't some inner middle-aged angst that I was feeling--they were the physical and mental symptoms of withdrawl from hormones.

If you think about it she was just telling us that if we ate right, exercised, cut back the caffeine and had sex with ourselves or someone else--we'd be fine--makes me wonder if she's gone through the meno yet--but she sure looked old enough to have. (Meow--excuse my cattyness:)

I also didn't like the way Oprah kept saying that it was time to put away childish things. Well, I'm not putting mine away. I'm not done yet! I'm not ready to grow up--maybe I never will be. I just haven't experienced any deep seeded personality changes yet--but I can see how untreated meno symptoms could make someone change into a crotchety old woman.

To tell the truth--I was disappointed in that show. I've learned far more from this site and the wonderful women who come here.

Miss Tibbs

Since I missed the show I went to Oprah's website and read about the interview.

Ms. Tibbs summarized very well what the show was about .

When I clicked on finding out more about Oprah's menopause experience; I read that her only symptom was heart palpitation that dissipated when she eliminated white flour products and white potatoes from her diet. If it could only be that simple for the rest of us.

In reading about the show on Oprah's site I really did not see where the real issues of perimenopause/menopause were fully addressed. Once again thank God for PS and sites like this who IMHO deal with the real issues of "the change".

What I've experienced the last 9 years of perimenopause go far beyond the realm of caffeine, exercise, diet, meditation, and sex. Although these factors do play a part in our overall health I personally needed ALOT more to get me to the point where I could function and have a better quality of life during this season in my life.

In the article Oprah said that her thyroid issues are now balanced; what does that mean? Dr. Northrup mentioned hormone balance a couple of times in the article...once again what does this mean? After 9 years of perimenopause I'm still aiming for "balance."

It's good the issues of peri/meno are being addressed more in the media. In time hopefully we will start hearing the real stories besides hot flashes, night sweats, and low libidio. In time hopefully we'll have a way to prevent the hormonal upheaval and havoc that many of us have experienced and are still dealing with...without having to compromise our health.

I'm off my soapbox now .

I was disappointed in the show as well. I have never heard of the good Dr. Northrup.......but the whole show was too 'sugar coated' for this meno-mama. I am with Miss Tibbs on not ready to give up on my 'childish things' and I hope I never am!!

Thank Goodness for the wealth of information on Power Surge.

((((Dearest))))....~ YOU ~ Need to be on Oprah!! Set the record straight and give ALL the women out there the truth!!

Cheers
Dottie

I was also disappointed. Eat well, exercise, look into your heart and lots of sex with or without a partner and menopause will be a breeze. I feel sorry for all of the women who got their husbands to watch thinking they would get some support for the way they are feeling. She really let all of us down. I guess the past 9 years have been a huge figment of my overactive imagination!!!!
I agree Dot, I'd love to see Dearest on Oprah, and you're right at least we'd get the TRUTH.

Well, I guess I might be an "OutCast" I enjoyed the show..........so much I will rewatch it. I've read her book and it is a wealth of knowledge. Did it give us the secret to get over this journey. Absolutely not!!

I agree that Power Surge and all the wonderful women here provide information & experiences, which account for alot of what we are going through.

I came away with a different vibe from this show..........it's not about putting away "the childish things" we all like... a little kid in each of us. It's about are we "running out of fuel?" I, myself have been going through alot emotionally; which I'm not going to get into......... BUT, I don't believe for a minute that we are depressed women needing to be medicated. This is my opinion and if it works for you great, but I want deeper results. And, what that is.....I don't know? Let the journey begin........

I loved when she said............ "Open Your Heart and Let the Heart Smile" IT'S A TIME FOR SELF REFLECTION.

Shannon

.. I take it it wasn't worth watching then Miss Tibbs? ... I guess it wont be aired here in the UK for some time ...

Dottie - I think Dearest should do that ... what is the possibility? .. I dont think I've seen any woman tell it like it really is - Every medical woman I've seen so far trivialises Peri/meno.

First of all, I wrote to Oprah years ago about Power Surge and Dearest, and got no response. Second of all, Dearest will never go on Oprah, trust me.

I don't think Oprah looks well. She isn't engaging in too much of the conversation either, which is unusual for her. Does anyone know about any health problems she may have?

I missed the show but just bought The Wisdom of Menopause. Let you gals know when I finish it, and what I took away from it. If I were Oprah, with her billions of dollars, I probably wouldn't be suffering like I am...she has the bucks to hire personal trainers, chefs, go to spas every day, get massages whenever she needs them, have doctors on call 24/7, tweaking her every little symptom. There's no way you can compare an average menopausal woman to the Big "O". She just lives in a different world...

Oh my, I have thought the same thing lately. She looks heavier in the face or something. She also looks really tired. Maybe her Thyroid thing just isn't under control.

Stephanie

I think the show was more directed at younger women like the pre-menopasual years.
She never address the (running out of fuel) part for some of us. Like when your tank is empty!
I'm 50> hit bottom, sex or do I have the energy to excise much!
Maybe there's no hope?
I admit I never put myself first, I was supermom etc. Now there's nothing left for me!

Remember awhile back in the tabloids (I don't buy them but read the headlines at the check counter) wasn't there something about Oprah being sick and dying> what happened with that? I have a history of thyroid problems and it can drag you down FAST!

Did Dr. Northrup say most women can get through menopause without any help like with hrt's or ad's?

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! Dearest would blow Oprah out of the water ..LMAO!!!!!!...I can see it now...LOL!
Meryl...I think Oprah is having what alot of our woman have..they have that surge of good years before and during peri and then it all hits after the change...because I think Oprah is in menopause already. i like Oprah and I think her shows on being positive and doing more for yourself are true...we do need to do that..it does relieve stress when we make time for us...but alot of it is unrealistic for REAL women. And as far as Dr. Northrup....I agree with her as far as diet and exercise...but the talking to your vajayjay stuff...well I dont know about the rest of you..but I dont have time to whisper sweet nothings to my vajayjay everyday...and I really dont think its wants to hear from me anyway......LOL!..so she lost me on that point. But I will say the you can give yourself positive self talk...that does help get you thru. Dr. Northrup has some valid points but i think for the most part she is talking to woman who can afford to go to spas...get massages...have someone clean their house....take care of their kids and have enough money in the bank where they never have to stress about how they are gonna feed and clothes their kids and put enough money away for their kids for college and still have a nice retirement to live on when they get old. These are real people problems..and yes they do stress us out and no amount exercise or omega3's or sex is gonna solve them. They are everyday problems. And then the point about childish things...well i think we all need to have some childish stuff in our lives.....thats what makes life fun...adulthood is not fun..its just more stress..so we need the kid in us to come out and play every now and then. I do believe her when she says that all the stuff we didnt deal with emotionally when we were younger and we pushed under the rug..comes back to haunt you in these yrs...but the upside is...you do deal with them and you get a better understanding of alot of things in your life and why they have happened and why you are the way you are. And the point she made about if we just do the exercise and take the omegas and have sex..we wont get heart disease and cancer and the high BP and the high cholesterol and the whole slew of health problems that are happening...well thats just BS to me. i do believe diet and exercise can help but I dont think its a cure all. And for a Dr. to get up in front of the world and say that ..i think its very unethical of her. She is basically blaming us for all our health problems....and it is genetics...culture...enviroment...and a host of other things that contribute to our health.
So on that note...I have given my long winded opinion...I think you can guess I thought most of the show was a crock of ****! Long live Power Surge!!!!

Peace
AA

Really?? She recommended talking to your vagina? Have I understood correctly?

The only thing that helped my vagina was estrogen!

Well said AA#2!!!!! Great post!

If I ever get to the point where I'm talking to my vagina, the men in white coats can come and take me away....!!!!

Vajayjay...................... AA!!! too funny, that word always makes me laugh for some reason............

LMboobersO!!!!

great post! I didn't see the show but I've seen Dr. N on PBS before. I also have her books where she goes much more into depth on HRT and the effects of all hormones in and on our bodies. I think she does womanhood a huge disservice by ignoring the very basic physiological reason why gi-normous numbers of women suffer such varied body symptoms during 'The Change." Sure there is some mental wisdom, psychological healing to be gained, but hey doc, lets not forget the incredible physical symptoms that often hold us hostage for years on end. I have no clue why they wanna sugar coat this experience. And as far as talking to my vajayjay.......hmmmmm.........I don't think of my vagina as a separate entity that I need to talk to. I'm pretty sure when my mind is chattering away, my vajayjay can hear every word I think. (But for those of you that feel you need some help, try Marvin Gaye's song.........Sexual Healing............dang that will get the juices flowing......... yeah baby!)


boo

A few thoughts:

I think when she said it's time to put away childish things, she meant that we are becoming wise, mature women. The "childish things" to me are being a people-pleaser, caring too much about what people think of me, not knowing how to say no, not standing up for myself, not taking care of myself, putting up with crap from people, etc. I am not that "childish" person anymore! Do you know what I mean?

I also have noticed this season that Oprah looks tired and like she's put on some weight. Maybe it's the thyroid problem she mentioned.

I agree that Dr. Northrup missed the boat by not telling women that the crazy hormones are what cause our symptoms! She did mention BHRT very briefly a couple of times.

I think she makes some good points about taking care of ourselves and examining our emotions. But I don't think emotional issues are the root causes of peri symptoms!

I like it when she said we should be open to and seeking pleasure! I need to work on this. I tend to just plow ahead with whatever chores need to be done. I think we all need to do one little thing during the day that gives us pleasure, like eating chocolate, listening to music, taking a bath, or watching a good TV show, etc.

I think science backs up what she said about exercise and diet and sex. Let's all do our best in those areas, LOL!

People will always hate people who have money. I don't think Oprah has any better info or help for meno than we do here at PS.

Oh, and I could totally relate to that woman who was looking at the photos of herself doing fun things in the past, and wondering, "Where has that woman gone???"

The problem I have with the advice about sex is that whilst I'm sure we'd all love to have active sex lives into our eighties and beyond, and moreover probably expected pre-menopause that we would, falling hormones make this impossible or unpleasant for large numbers of women. I wish this information had been given, instead of a false positive approach which seems to advise that all we need is the intention, regardless of what is going on physiologically.

When I came off HRT and my estrogen level dropped rapidly, I nearly hit the roof when I attempted penetration, so painful was it. I struggled on for a few months further using a phytoestrogen product recommended by the doctor which, whilst it made things better, still didn't alter the fact that penetration was now painful and uncomfortable whereas before it had been pleasurable. The discomfort was having the effect of conditioning me to avoid sex. Finally I was prescribed Estriol cream for those parts and within two weeks of starting it, everything became fine again.

Furthermore, Dr. Brizendine in her book 'The Female Brain' recounts that 50% of women aged forty-two to fifty-two lose their interest in sex, are harder to arouse, and find their orgasms are much less frequent and intense. By the age of menopause, women have lost up to 60-70% of the testosterone they had at age twenty. This is because not only do the ovaries stop manufacturing as much at menopause but the adrenal glands, which provide 70 per cent of a woman's androgens and testosterone, made as the prehormone DHEA, have greatly decreased their production too. Since testosterone is apparently required to stimulate sexual interest in the brain, the plunge in testosterone after menopause can cause women to feel little or no interest in sex.

Dr. Northrup must be aware of these facts surely since I believe they're based on research? Wouldn't it have been more honest to say what difficulties women might experience at menopause and the treatment options that are available - or am I expecting too much from a light entertainment show? There seems to me to be a formula to Oprah's show which is relentlessly positive. I'm all for positive thoughts informing action, but people need accurate information on which to base their decisions and not be left to feel that if they experience troublesome or severe symptoms, it's because they somehow aren't 'getting' this whole wonderful transition business, or have been lax in the positive self talk. I agree that there are spiritual and personal aspects of the menopause as a life transition, but no amount of spirituality or personal insight would have done for me what Estriol cream did effortlessly within two weeks.

The biggest problem of a show like this in my opinion is misinformation, which shapes the expectations of pre-menopausal women and men towards women who are having trouble in this life phase.

Hi everyone

Talking to my vajayjay? AA Interactive, yes I am with you on this no amount of talking would have convinced my oestrogen deficient external itching problem to go away. I could have talked away to my hearts content and it would not have listened to a single word.

As I'm in the UK I'll have to watch out for the programme to air. I remember a programme Oprah did about women with HIV and I'm pretty sure that that subject was not sugar coated in any way. If I remember correctly it was a fact based approach with several different women who had contracted the disease talking frankly about THEIR personal experience.

robin

Here!! Here!! Right on Sistah !!

I only watched about 1/2 of the show. Some interesting stuff, but I guess I must have gotten annoyed and changed the channel I do remember thinking (Yeah I remember something!!), sort of what a couple other folks mentioned, what about ALL the other stuff. I know its only an hour show, but at least maybe a shout out to ALL the other stuff. And I also agree....this website/message board rocks and should be on TV!!!

I only watched a small portion of it. Didn't see the part about her thyroid. Now I understand why she looks so ill!

I am so sick and tired of celebrity women full of hormonal balancing meds telling us how we just need to exercise, meditate and have more sex(?) to balance these debilitating and horrible menopausal sympoms. GIVE ME A BREAK... Dr and Oprah placed blame of all of these symptoms on women who are thought not to take care of themselves. Bull, I have done everything and have had to be medicated just to continue working. They made it sound as if a lot of these symptoms are in our heads. Get it together ladies and exercise, read a book and so on.......HELLOOOOOO Men are given viagra without such rediculous recommendations.

As long as these "$%^s continue with this bull we (women)will never get the necessary medical research, intervention and treatment with insurance covered medications needed at very difficult times in our lives. Thyroid treatment will not relieve the symptoms that most of us suffer.. Dr. Northrup can go take a hike and "gee" thanks for assisting researchers in placing menopausal relief medications further on the back burner. Oh and by the way, I am hearing that Oprah has been using bioidenticals for some time.."hmmm" I dont think I heard her or the Dr. mention this.


P.O'D

*hugs*

Dear {{{{Shannon}}}}
I think it is fabuliscios that you got something out of this show. I agree with you that having a 'positive' attitude' can get you a LOT further than having a 'negative' one. I know for me and my rhumatoid arthritis if I feel sad or blue or if I am allowing the stress to get to me....then my knees flare up badly. That's not to say that some days they seem to have a mind of their own and flare up anyways....or if I trip down the stairs while holding my cat

And we certainly can never go wrong with.... "Open your heart and Let the Heart Smile" .....
I think your interpretation of ..."the childish things'..... is interesting. I hadn't looked at it that way before.
Makes me want to break out into song........Running on empty...by Jackson Browne

hey ladies! did y'all know that there is a transcript in the live chat archives on p.s. with dr. christine northrup? i was around back in the dark ages and i remember the chat... i most likely will get smacked down but for me, this was just another opinion on the challenge of peri-menopause/menopause. i don't agree with christine northrup's opinions for the most part...what i do agree with is that she is trying to impart a mind/body perspective...and it certainly gives us fodder for thought. just MHO

SusanC

Careergirl: I remember one of her other books: Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. I didn't agree with everything she said, and some of seemed a tad 'out there', but on the whole, I really enjoyed it. Right now, I'm reading The Wisdom of Menopause. I hope to get at least something from it that will help me, or affirm how I'm feeling right now. I guess she disappointed a lot of women with her advice on Oprah's show (which I never watch, being that I personally don't care for Oprah) but I still admire her for paying attention to women's issues (which many doctor's nowadays, it seems, don't.)

that show left many people in the thyroid community completely horrified.......think of the millions of women who will once again slip through the cracks...

I watched the show and enjoyed it. I've read her book and loved it. I will take the good (all mentioned here) that she suggests and try and remember to add it to my life.

However, the negative part of menopause is that there are very few doctors out there that know much of anything about it. At least no one I've encountered. I've had them tell me I'm nuts and need medication. Yeah, that makes me feel better. Why can't the real doctors we encounter in our world know what this doctor knows? Why can't they treat me the way she treats herself and Oprah?

Meryl,

Boy, do you know me

Re the comments about the way she's been looking lately, I've said the same thing to a friend of mine at least five times. She looked to me like she was sick - even makeup couldn't cover it. You're the only other one I've heard say this.

I didn't watch the show. I did tape it. I may watch it just out of curiosity when I have time, but I don't feel any urgency about seeing it.

As for Chris Northrup, I did have her as a guest years back in the early days of Power Surge guest chats. I liked her. We had some lovely conversations. I also liked "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom." I've also enjoyed the specials she's done on PBS TV. However, I have noticed a difference (maybe an evolving) in her thinking, but I still like her. I'll have to watch the show to see what you're all talking about.

It seems to me that it's camp (is that word still used?) to minimize the realities of menopausal symptoms and to sugar coat, or even disguise, them with an "attitude" that thinking positively will resolve most of their issues.

I'm not saying it's 100% bad thinking. I've been an advocate for years of doing whatever you can to distract yourself from what ails you. However, the reality of perimenopause can be horrendous for so many women that nothing seems to help the usual symptoms, plus the severe anxiety and the depression and the anger, mood swings, rage and general feeling that if life doesn't take a turn for the better soon, they don't know what they're going to do with their desperation. This is the reality of perimenopause (and for many, postmenopause as well) and sugar coating it doesn't solve anything.

I've been through a great deal, but I've never been through anything as gut-wrenching, frustrating, uncomfortable and totally useless as the miserable perimenopause I experienced.

I doubt you'd hear talk like that on the Oprah Show about menopause. Ya think?

Dearest

Dear Dearest

I just finished reading the Chris Northup transcript and I feel a lot better about what she has to say. I suppose the show that Dr Northup was on the other day .....notice how I am not mentioning what show ........is the sort of show that does tend to minimize 'Menopause'. I think what gets me frustrated is that I should think that a host who is a 'woman'....would delve in depth on the subject of menopause as she has on other subjects. Her 'dogs' comes to mind.
Uh Oh ...who let the CAT out? Meow! Meow!
=<^..^>=

{{{Hugs}}}
Dottie

Looks like that second show is finally going to air on Oprah this week! It's on Thursday, Jan. 17th. Let's hope it's a bit more informative this time!

Cathy

Maybe I'm just having a bad day (no, correction, I AM having a bad day) but I think Dr. Northrup is fluff-filled piece of nonsense. I finished her book "The Wisdom of Menopause" and found it to be full of new-agey type crap that was of no help to me. If she tells me one more time to have more sex, I'm going to strangle her. And my thyroid problems? They're because I'm stifled....my 'voice' hasn't been heard,and the suppression of this has clogged my throat.

I'm surprised she still has a medical license.

Just my opinion, of course...

I agree totally! I am donating my book to the library. What a waste of money.

Linda s

I'll be keeping my books. I like her. I always have. I find her uplifting.

Leanne: I apologize for the tone of my post. I'm very stressed right now and finding myself 'snapping' at people, places, things, etc. She is uplifting, you're right...and she validates what women go through as real and deserving of attention. i guess i have issues with some of her medical opinions. But what would life be without variety?

RoundRobin- No need to apologize at all! I didn't take your post as negative, just a different opinion than my own. I think it's great that somebody, ANYBODY is out there trying to bring attention to menopause. I also like it that she tries to focus on the positive.

I caught Dr. Northrup on Oprah the other day and just cringed. I felt embarassed to be female. Watching a billionaire businesswoman and a "menopause expert" talk about V-Jay Jays (I think that's what they called it!) was a sorry sight. Seems like Dr. Northrup has lots of little annoying phrases - self-cultivation instead of masturbation??? Is this why she makes the big bucks? She had some good advice on some matters but it gets lost in the mountain of new-age bull----.

HMMMMMMM................

I wonder what her explanation of my menopausal psychosis would be?
I don't think I've ever stifled anything, and I've certainly had more than enough sex to suit me. (But not my husband, he wants to have sex twice a day. More on weekends. Anyone else married to a Latino man, you know what I mean.)