40 Comments
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Lauren Streicher MD's avatar

Dr. Northrup also states that thyroid disease is a result of "swallowing words you are aching to say." We need to alert the endocrinologists of the world that they have it all wrong!

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Stacy Wentworth, M.D.'s avatar

OMG. That’s so terrible! How are these people still able to look themselves in the mirror?!?

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JRS's avatar

They aren't looking in the mirror. They're looking at their bank accounts.

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Diane Tavares's avatar

Does anyone remember when PBS aired Dr. Northup’s video “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom”?

I think a copy of her book by the same title was available as a thank you gift for a contribution to your local PBS station.

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Val Schonberg's avatar

As usual, thank you so much for highlighting the problems with this. We'll see how this goes, but my hunch is this program will be even more of a disservice to women trying to get reliable information for managing menopause.

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Tiffany Zaken, PA-C's avatar

Oprah is the worst kind of predator. Masking as a woman’s advocate and “best friend,” she lures women into her rape van of recommendations with all the lure of her inside secrets and best in class endorsement candies and free shit. She vehemently denies using any weight loss medication while on the board of directors at Weight Watchers, calling them the “easy way out,” and subsequently then attributes her weight loss to them right around the time she steps down from Weight Watchers. Must have recently acquired a lot of shares in Novo or Lilly or something. How dare she parade around as a woman’s advocate still after all these years of blatantly platforming harm. My mother is the same age as Oprah so I can assuredly say she is 22 years graduated from menopause and likely has nothing more to offer on the topic outside of a new grift and upward motion toward staying relevant since her first menopause disinformation campaign. I can also say I heard “Oprah says…..” so many times growing up that the span and power of her influence is tantamount to Elon Musk’s endless funding of crap…crappy people, crappy cars, crappy spaceships…I digress. The age of misinformation is the World War III many don’t even know we are fighting, and Oprah is yet another billionaire profiting from war times. There is nothing quite worse than women harming women when we are already so abundant in harm from men. I shan’t be watching, buying any Pendulum supplements, joining any monthly services for compounded products, or reading any books by her or any of her guests. Shame on you Oprah, shame…

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Ellie Alive In 25's avatar

Oprah Winfrey is an excellent actress.

I have nothing else complementary to say about her, and probably never will.

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Corina's avatar

It's so disappointing that this is how she chooses to weird her power and influence. She could do so much more good in the world.

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JRS's avatar

I've been telling my mother (who was a huge Oprah fan back in the day, and watched Dr. Oz regularly as well) that if someone is trying to sell you something, it's not "information" it's a commercial. And commercials exist to get you to spend money, not provide accurate, factual information. So many people trust if someone is a celebrity and rich, then they must be telling the truth, when they actually got rich selling lies.

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John Fontaine, Phm's avatar

👍...if you're selling something it's a commercial & not information

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I’ve shared this wisely. As a hopeful new writer (who imagines herself with Oprah’s rocket ship endorsement - hahahaha), I’ve been hesitant to say anything negative. But I’ve been suspicious of her motives and tactics since she “humble-bragged” when launching her book club, that she had all of Shakespeare’s works, “leather bound.” I mean, really who cares? And to not retract and rebuke her endorsement of Oz? Unforgivable.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Shared *WIDELY. (And also, wisely)

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Tracey's avatar

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are a voice of reason backed by actual scientific evidence.

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Dominika's avatar

A great review of the "influencer" problem.

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Anita Junttila's avatar

I subscribe and read your Substack for balanced, science backed information on midlife and HRT. Your comments on circumcision: Is it anti Semitic to keep a newborn boys’ penis intact? Is any religion a reason to circumcise a boy? Science does not back routine circumcision. Including the Canadian paediatric Society. Am I missing something here?

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Dr. Jen Gunter's avatar

It is antisemitic to claim that men who are circumcised are more likely to rape.

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Susan Weis-Bohlen's avatar

Remember that it's not just about Jews. Muslims also circumsize their boys. The true meaning of anti-semite refers to people who hate Semitic people. Arabs are also considered Semitic. So it's not just Jews she is dissing here. It's Arabs, too. She's totally gone off the deep end - Northrup.

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Dr. Jen Gunter's avatar

I will make that correction! Thank you. Given Northup’s connection to QAnon I was focused on the antisemitism. Thanks for pointing it out.

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JS's avatar

Antisemitism means Jewish hate, it has nothing to do with Muslims and does not at all refer to hate of all semitic people. If someone is antisemitic, or an antisemitic hate crime is committed, it ALWAYS refers to acts of violence, terrorism, hate speech, etc, against Jews. Again, antisemitism does not in any way refer to Muslims. With that being said, I agree 100% with Dr. Gunter’s statement that Northrup’s disgusting and wildly unsubstantiated comment about circumcised men is antisemitic and extremely derogatory toward Muslims as well. Northrup is a vile antisemite, this is documented and well known. I have little doubt she’s espoused racist bigotry aimed at Muslims as well. She’s the farthest thing from a role model…unethical doctor, terrible human.

“The term "antisemitism" was coined in 1879 by German journalist Wilhelm Marr to describe anti-Jewish campaigns, though the history of anti-Jewish sentiments goes back much further.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Origin:

The term "antisemitism" was coined by Wilhelm Marr, a German journalist and agitator, in 1879.

Context:

Marr used the term to describe the anti-Jewish campaigns that were underway in Central Europe at the time.

Meaning:

"Antisemitism" is used to describe and analyze past and present forms of opposition or hatred towards Jews.

Etymology:

The word "Semitic" itself was coined by German orientalist August Ludwig von Schlözer in 1781 to designate the Semitic group of languages.

Historical Perspective:

While the term "antisemitism" is relatively recent, anti-Jewish sentiments and persecution have a long history, dating back to ancient times.

Evolution of the term:

The term was initially used to describe a "scientific" rather than "religious" opposition to Jews, but it has since been applied to all manifestations of hatred of the Jewish people.

Marr's Influence:

Marr's 1879 pamphlet, "The Way to Victory of Germanism over Judaism," in which he used the term "Antisemitismus," was very popular, and he founded the League of Antisemites that same year.”

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S. Levin's avatar

While that's technically true, the dictionary definition of antisemitism is 'hostility to Jews.'

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Susan Weis-Bohlen's avatar

I wanted to make the point that Muslims circumcised their baby boys too. So the comment about rapists is spread further than Jews.

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Anita Junttila's avatar

Northrop has gone off the rails in many ways. However there is no medically sound reason to circumcise a newborn baby. Circumcision has been a routine procedure on baby boys in the past. And yes, this includes religious reasons. It’s unfortunate (maybe ridiculous?) she made the leap of circumcision and rape. But to call it antisemitic is also a leap. I believe circumcision should be banned. Does that make me anti-sematic or anti-Muslim?

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Jacqueline Brinsmead's avatar

I think you misunderstood the point. Dr. Gunter is arguing that Northrup is an anti-semite which causes her to put forward the argument that circumcized men (Northrup is likely referring to Jewish men) are more like to be rapists. She is promoting hatred of Jewish people.

This point is completely unrelated to whether medical professionals recommend circumcision.

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Waiting for Homo Superior's avatar

I’ve dislike Winfrey for years for her promotion of people like Oz. Anyone with half a brain could tell he was full of crap, making baseless claims.

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Kirsten Beier's avatar

If a hormone isn't bioidentical, then what is it? I see it used on social media platforms so much and get the feeling some people are using it incorrectly.

Locally, everyone raves about a local naturopath and her treatment of menopause. I think they have to say great things otherwise they'd have to admit to being fleeced. Anytime I speak up and mention seeing a gyn I get relegated to the back of the room. I'll see myself out now....

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Dr. Jen Gunter's avatar

Any hormone that is chemically the same as a hormone made by the body is bioidentical. It doesn't mean anything. For example, estradiol has to be identical. In a way it's a bit like saying chai tea (not exactly, but along those lines). Bioidentical does not mean safe, it's just a description of the chemical stricture. It doesn't mean plant based. And in this context it doesn't mean natural, because natural estradiol would have to come from an animal ovary.

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Cheryl's avatar

My bookclub will be watching the Oprah menopause special tonight. When I heard this I rolled my eyes. I will not watch as I know it’s all bullshit but I’m afraid they’re all going to sucked in. I’ll share your article but I don’t know if it won’t land. They hear what they want…

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JRS's avatar

Give the members of your bookclub this article. There must be a few members, at least, who would appreciate hearing facts from someone not trying to sell them something.

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Beehave's avatar

😱terrible

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margaret sledziewski's avatar

Lambs (women who are desperate for help) can be lead and rounded up by dogs( so called health care professionals). There are also medical doctors who provide conventional care for women who are investigated. What ever happened to do no harm? I know I have been referred to several at major hospitals and specialty clinics who have done harm and continue to do so . Many women grab a book as they think since the person is a published author they are providing facts not fiction. It comes down to marketing a product aimed at the waist where the wallets and purses are generally carried.

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Sandi Showalter's avatar

Another article that serves as a reminder why I subscribe to your stack. Such important information. I have seen lately a lot of talk about hip pain being linked menopause. I'm wondering if there is any link between low estrogen and hip pain, as I'm seeing it mentioned all over the place, mostly with some kind of supplement someone wants to sell. Should women who are experiencing hip pain be going to an orthopedist before a gynecologist? And if they should be seeing a gyno, what should we be asking our doctors to look for? After being on the pellet for 5 years, I'm nervous to try any kind of HRT now, but I know some may benefit me. Just wondering what you would recommend to all women who might be experiencing hip pain after menopause.

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Jen Glazer's avatar

Is there a way to share this article widely? I want Jen to have all the subscribers she deserves and also wonder if those who aren’t subscribers can read it. It’s so important!

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Dr Jen Adjacent (Todd)'s avatar

You can share this link :

https://vajenda.substack.com/p/menopause-misinformation-and-the

Or tell them to google “vajenda oprah effect” and it will come up.

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Jen Glazer's avatar

Thank you!

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