Perimenopause can sneak up on you like a ninja in stretchy pants.
One day you’re crushing work presentations and remembering every little detail. The next, you’re googling “Can brain fog make you forget your own zip code?” or wondering why your knees feel like they’ve aged 20 years overnight.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
In the latest episode of The Pause podcast, I sat down with my best friend Lauren and nationally certified menopause provider Nisha McKenzie to unpack all the confusing, frustrating, hilarious, and downright mind-boggling parts of perimenopause. And trust me ~ it’s a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Why Didn’t Anyone Warn Us?
Let’s be real. Most of us weren’t prepared for this phase of life. As Lauren shared in our episode, our mothers didn’t talk about it. It wasn’t dinner table conversation or even whispered at girls’ nights. And because of that, we entered this transition blind thinking something was wrong with us when our bodies started changing in ways we couldn’t explain.
But now? We’re breaking the silence. We’re normalizing the conversation. And we’re doing it together.
The Truth About Symptoms: It’s Not “Just Aging”
Nisha dropped some serious truth bombs during our chat—like the fact that there are over 400 estrogen receptors throughout your body. That means your brain, joints, eyes, skin, and even your ears can be affected by shifting hormones.
That brain fog? Real.
The dry, itchy skin? Totally normal.
The “I’m fine” meltdown that turned into a full-blown cry-fest over a missing sock? Yep. Also normal ~ I mean hormonal ~ LOL.
Understanding that these symptoms are biological, not imagined, is incredibly validating. You’re not overreacting. You’re not making it up. Your hormones are changing, and your body is trying to keep up.
HRT, Sleep, and Sanity
We also dove into hormone replacement therapy what works, what doesn’t, and how to know if it’s right for you. Nisha shared that progesterone can be a game-changer for sleep and mood, and she busted the myth that you need hormone tests to determine if you’re in perimenopause. Often, your symptoms (and your age) tell the story loud and clear.
She even talked about how starting HRT within five years of menopause may help reduce the risk of dementia. Now that’s the kind of information women deserve to know.
The Power of Friendship (and Laughter)
What really stuck with me in this episode was how powerful it is to have girlfriends who get it. Whether you’re ranting about your 3 a.m. wakeups or laughing over your latest mood swing that made you want to “slash tires while hugging a puppy,” ~ having someone who understands can make all the difference.
Lauren and I have been friends for nearly 20 years and we’re navigating this season side by side. Sometimes with grace. Sometimes with a of wine and a group text full of memes. But always together.
You’re Not Alone—And You Never Have to Be
Perimenopause isn’t the end. It’s a shift. A chance to tune in to your body and take control of your health with information, support, and sisterhood.
So if you’ve been feeling confused, overwhelmed, or just plain not yourself, know this: you are not broken.
Listen to the full episode on The Pause wherever you get your podcasts to hear the entire unfiltered conversation with Lauren and Nisha and me.
And if you haven’t already, join our private Facebook community, The Pause Diaries, where we continue the conversation with expert advice, real talk, and a whole lot of humor. You belong here.
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