This is your Women's Health Podcast podcast.
Welcome to the Women's Health Podcast, where we embrace knowledge as a pathway to empowerment. Today, we’re diving right into perimenopause—the transitional phase that signals the end of a woman’s reproductive years and often catches women by surprise. If you’ve noticed changes in your cycle, sleep patterns, mood, or energy, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what you can expect, what you can do, and, most importantly, why you have every right to feel empowered through it all.
Perimenopause, sometimes called “the menopause transition,” doesn’t happen in a single moment. It can last months or even years, typically beginning in your 40s but sometimes as early as your late 30s. According to UCLA Health, sneaky symptoms can include not only hot flashes and irregular periods, but also joint aches, trouble sleeping, mood swings, and brain fog—things often dismissed as just getting older. This transition might make you feel like your body is no longer your own, but remember: knowledge is power and your experience is valid.
I recently sat down with Dr. Kavita Patil from UCLA Health to ask some of the questions so many women have: What truly causes these symptoms? Are there safe treatments that work? And how can we support ourselves not just medically but in our daily routines? Dr. Patil emphasized that the hormone shifts of perimenopause are at the heart of the changes. She pointed out that while hormone therapy—especially systemic estrogen—remains one of the most effective options for relieving hot flashes, night sweats, and protecting bone health, it’s not the only way. The key is to have an individualized conversation with your provider. For example, recent approval of fezolinetant, a non-hormonal medication, offers relief for hot flashes by targeting brain receptors that regulate body temperature. SSRIs, SNRIs, and gabapentin might also help with mood swings, anxiety, and sleep.
But medication is only part of the picture. Dr. Patil reminded us that perimenopause is a time to prioritize your wellbeing. Upping your physical activity, focusing on bone-strengthening exercise like weight lifting, and dialing in your nutrition become even more important. Heart-healthy choices, a regular sleep schedule, plant-forward meals, and managing stress with tools like yoga or meditation can all make a huge difference.
I also spoke with Kris Teow, women’s health advocate, who stressed how every woman’s perimenopause journey is different. What matters most is not comparing yourself to others, but recognizing your unique needs and seeking support that honors your story. Above all, breaking the silence—talking honestly about symptoms, worries, and hopes—is essential for changing how our culture approaches this vital part of life.
Here are today’s key takeaways: perimenopause is deeply individual, but you do not have to navigate it alone. Know your symptoms, track your changes, and advocate for treatments—hormonal or not—that work for you. Nourish your bones, your sleep, and your mental health. Surround yourself with women who lift each other up, and trust that seeking help is an act of power, not weakness.
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