When cooking guru Rachael Ray discovered that the “Big M” can hit women at the age of 40 or younger, she was flabbergasted, especially since the host of her own daily syndicated show turns 39 this August. Could she be two turns of the pan away from this chapter of her life?

“Are you kidding?”

Rachael Ray isn’t the only woman getting close to the “Big 40” who’s worried about menopause. There are now more than 40 million American women who are 50 or older, and 20 million more who will reach menopause within the next decade.

To get the “411” on menopause, Rachael consulted top women’s health expert and menopause mamacello Dr. Northrup, who appeared on the March 12th episode of The Rachael Ray Show to dispel those common myths about never-ending hot flashes and saying goodbye to your sex drive.

Rachael invited a handful of women of various ages to bring their menopausal challenges to Dr. Northrup on this empowering episode. This colorful group of ladies frankly shared their journeys that included battles with embarrassing hot flashes, fatigue, and overall depression along with lack of understanding from their spouses and family members.

More audience members began to smile as Dr. Northrup described the “new” menopause—the one assuring that the second half of your life is designed to provide you with more pleasure, prosperity, and fulfillment that you have ever dreamed possible! “There’s nothing to worry about,” Dr. Northrup reassured.

Rachael wasn’t convinced yet. She pointed to one of the audience members and exclaimed, “Nothing to worry about? She has 20 sweats a day. They look worried!”

But Dr. Northrup forged on to give Rachael and the audience more good news and resources to discover the triggers of these hot flashes, the messages behind the mood swings, and how this chapter of our lives will rewire your thinking. “It’s like you’re preparing to give birth to a new self, a whole new life where you don’t put up with the same kind of stuff you’ve put up with in the past.”

Dr. Northrup also explained that the process can take more than a decade. “Oh my gravy!” Rachael responded.

The audience was all ears when Dr. Northrup discussed the “great sex drive” that we can experience during menopause. Rachael polled the audience, “Is that true?” She was met with a resounding blaze of applause and cheers. One woman came back with, “Yes! Uh-huh! I’m not dating—but I’m ready!”

After giving her tips on natural hormone remedies, meditations, exercise, and other methods to get rid of the “waxy build-up” of our past experiences and inborn beliefs, Dr. Northrup proclaimed, “Menopause is the best thing that ever happened to me. It totally changed my life. I’m more fit and I’ve had more fun than ever before!”

On that note, Rachael raised her hand up and high-fived Dr. Northrup. Guess, as Rachael would say, we’re Good to Go!

To read more about this episode or to find out when The Rachael Ray Show airs in your area, visit www.rachaelrayshow.com.