The Brilliant Body Podcast with Ali Mezey

In this episode, Ali speaks with Dr. James A. Simon, a leading OB-GYN and "Menopause Whisperer," about his pioneering work in sexual medicine and menopause care. Dr. Simon discusses the challenges and importance of addressing sexual health in gynecology, the evolution of hormone therapy, and the cultural barriers that often prevent open conversations about menopause and women’s sexuality.

The episode highlights the need for more holistic, individualized care for women, the impact of hormones on health and wellbeing, and the progress still needed in medical education and societal attitudes. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of menopause, hormone therapy, and the value of compassionate, open dialogue about women’s health and aging.

Topics also include how aging has changed over generations, why people got scared of Hormone Replacement Therapy, the prevalence and benefits of testosterone in women, the politics of hysterectomies, how Viagra was happened upon, and how GLP-1s work. 

FOR MORE JAMES:
IntimMedicine Website: https://intimmedicine.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intimmedicinespecialists5815/videos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntimMedicine

Restore Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life
Book by Dr. James A. Simon.

Dr. James A. Simon is a board-certified Ob/Gyn, and reproductive endocrinologist. He is Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dr. Simon also holds certifications as an AASECT-Certified Sexuality Counsellor, an ISCD-Certified Clinical Bone Densitometrist, and a Menopause Society-Certified menopause specialist. He has an active private practice, IntimMedicine Specialists® in Washington, DC focused on complicated gynecology, sexual medicine for both men and women, and menopause. Dr. Simon has received numerous awards including: “Top Washington Physicians,” “America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists,” “Super Doctors of Washington DC-Baltimore-Northern Virginia,” and “The Best Doctors in America.” He is the only physician to serve as President of both The Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Nicknamed “The Menopause Whisperer,” by Washingtonian Magazine, Dr. Simon is an established researcher and author--completing more than 450 research trials, and more than 800 published articles, abstracts, chapters, and the paperback book: Restore Yourself: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life. Dr. Simon loves riding the best rollercoasters in the world, collecting fountain pens and wristwatches, and freshwater fishing. He is a five-time Master Angler of Canada.

hiker, dog trainer, and lover of nature.

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:

ASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists)
A professional organization for sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists.

ISCD (International Society for Clinical Densitometry)
Organization focused on bone density and skeletal health.

Menopause Society
Formerly known as the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause.

International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
Multidisciplinary, academic, and scientific organization dedicated to women’s sexual health.

Washingtonian Magazine Article
Regional magazine that dubbed Dr. Simon "The Menopause Whisperer."

Sexual Health Alliance
Organization and conference for sexual health professionals.

Women’s Health Initiative Hormone Studies
Landmark studies on hormone therapy in women.

Menopause Meetings
Annual conferences for menopause specialists.

Premarin
Estrogen medication derived from pregnant mares’ urine, historically used in hormone therapy.

Viagra (Sildenafil)
Medication for erectile dysfunction, originally developed for high blood pressure.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Class of injectable medications for diabetes and weight loss (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy).

Dr. Dympna Renshaw
South African psychiatrist and pioneer in sexual medicine, especially in the context of trauma and dysfunction.

Halle Berry, Kate Winslet
Celebrities mentioned for their advocacy and openness about menopause.

Contraception Marches (late 1960s)
Historical reference to activism for access to contraception.