Dr. Melissa Caine

Watching my daughter get 31 shots of Botox for her migraines 💔

Not for wrinkles. Botox is FDA-approved for chronic migraine, and 31 injections across the head and neck is the standard protocol, usually repeated every 12 weeks.

As a doctor, I know it works. As a mom, it was so hard to watch.

So proud of her for doing what she needs to feel better. And if migraines are running your life, please know you have options. Migraines are about three times more common in women, and hormones play a big role.

I ran a 3am p*e experiment 🌟

You know when you p*e in the middle of the night, get back into bed, and feel like you have to go again? Last night, I sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" before getting up. By the end of the song, I was completely empty. I tested it again at 3am, and it worked again.

Not a study, just a theory. Try it tonight and report back in the comments 👇

Doctor note: don't push or strain. Sit fully on the seat, feet flat, lean slightly forward, and relax. If you're getting up 2+ times every night, feel burning, or never feel fully empty, talk to your doctor. Low estrogen can cause these symptoms, and they're treatable.

I am a doctor, but not your doctor. This information is for educational purposes only.

Is perimenopause ruining your marriage? 👀

Sometimes it's part of it. And we don't talk about that enough.

In one survey of women going through divorce, 7 in 10 said menopause played a role. Most were never offered treatment.

If this is your house, acknowledge it, together, and get help. You're not broken, and neither is your marriage.

Agree or disagree? Tell me below 👇

I am a doctor, but not your doctor. This information is for educational purposes only.

I got to meet Jane Fonda at the Livelong Women's Health Summit. 🥹

She talked about something I don't think we say enough: our friendships with other women aren't a luxury. They're part of our health, especially in the second half of life.

She also said her life has meaning. Sitting there, I thought: that's what I want for every woman in midlife.

Tag a friend who makes your life better 💜

Friday night plans change and the heating pad wins. 🍷📖

Heating pad on, one glass of w**e, and finally reading Weightless by Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD.. I heard Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen speak at Livelong last week and have been wanting to dig into her book ever since.

Told your BRCA test was negative? That may not be the whole story. 🎀

This is why I love your comments. One of you shared on my post, that she had a normal BRCA test years ago, but she knows it's not the whole story, and she's right.

Your genes don't change, but what we know about them does.

Why an old test might not be enough:
🧬 Older tests often checked only BRCA1 and BRCA2. Today's panels look at many more genes.
🏠 At-home DNA kits check only a few variants, so a "negative" can give false reassurance.
🔄 Results labeled "uncertain" can be reclassified as science learns more.
👪 New family diagnoses can change what's recommended.

If your test was years ago, or it was an at-home kit, ask your doctor or a genetic counselor: "Does updated testing make sense for me?"

Save this for your next appointment, and share it with someone who had genetic testing years ago. 💜

I am a doctor, but not your doctor. This information is for educational purposes only.

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Do you know your actual risk? 🎀

At the Livelong Women's Health Summit, one message stood out: every woman should have a breast cancer risk assessment.

It's a quick tool your doctor can use, and it looks at:
👪 Family history
🩻 Breast density
🔬 Past breast biopsies
📅 Age at your first period and first pregnancy

Why it matters:
✅ It can change when you start mammograms
✅ It can qualify you for extra screening, like MRI, if your risk is high
✅ It helps you make decisions about hormone therapy based on facts, not fear

At your next visit, ask: "What's my breast cancer risk score?"

Save this for your next appointment, and share it with a woman you love. 💜

I am a doctor, but not your doctor. This information is for educational purposes only.

9 surgeries later… something still didn't feel right. 💜

After my ski accident, my orthopedic surgeon rebuilt my leg multiple times. I usually walk into my yearly follow-up proud of how far I've come.

This year was different. I've been in more pain, and my gut told me something wasn't right.

My surgeon listened. Next comes more imaging, then a plan, and that could mean another surgery. It's a lot to process, but I'm so glad I didn't ignore that feeling.

If something doesn't feel right in your body, say it out loud. You know yourself best.💜

You're not eating too much. You might be eating too little. 🍳

When the midlife middle shows up, most of us cut back, eat less, and add more cardio. But underfueling can leave you tired, weaker, and stuck.

Signs you might be underfueling:
⚡ Always tired, even after sleep
🏋🏻‍♀️ Workouts feel harder and strength has stalled
🥶 Irritable, cold, or starving at night
💇🏻‍♀️ More hair shedding than usual

As estrogen declines, it's already harder to hold on to muscle and bone. Underfueling makes it harder still.

At the Longevity Summit, an endocrinologist (Dr. Salas-Whalen, Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD. and a dermatologist (Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD FAAD gave the same advice: prioritize protein.

Start with protein at your first meal, and make sure you're fueling enough around your workouts.

Save this, and share it with a friend who's been eating less and feeling worse. 💜

I am a doctor, but not your doctor. This information is for educational purposes only.

Even the doctors prescribing rest struggle to take it. 🙋🏻‍♀️

At the Longevity Summit, I met Dr. Sasha Hamdani (Sasha Hamdani, MD), psychiatrist and author of the instant NYT bestseller Too Sensitive. She talked about rest being productive, something she recommends to her patients but doesn't always practice herself. I'm guilty of the same.

Why rest matters more in midlife:
💤 Sleep is often disrupted by night sweats, early waking, and a busy mind, so daytime recovery counts more.
🧠 Hormone shifts can make stress feel bigger and harder to bounce back from.
🌿 Rest isn't just sleep. A phone-free walk, quiet time, or a warm bath all count when they're intentional.

After a packed weekend, I planned today on purpose. Tonight's sauna time is mine, and my family knows it.

When we role-model rest, the women around us (and our kids!) learn it's allowed.

Save this as your reminder, and share it with someone who needs permission to rest today. 💜

I am a doctor, but not your doctor. This information is for educational purposes only.