Perimenopause, the period leading up to menopause, occurs in most women in their 40s. This time usually comes with emotional and hormonal issues, as perimenopausal women experience menopause-like symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, etc. Perimenopause is a natural part of the aging process. But it doesn’t have to signal impending doom. On the contrary, perimenopause can actually be a fun phase in a woman’s life, according to today’s guest.
Welcome to the Scarlet Society podcast. In this episode, Meghan Rabbitt interviews Dr. Heather Bartos, an OBGYN based in Frisco, TX, and a leading voice in women’s health. She is the founder of Badass Woman, Badass Health, and a proud pioneer of MindSHIFT medicine (the integration of mental, physical, and emotional health to care for the whole woman).
Enjoy listening as Meghan and Dr. Bartos discuss the difference between perimenopause and menopause, hormone therapy, and what women need to know as they approach this period in their lives.
“What Mother Nature wanted for us was a time to reassess and reevaluate and, if we can ride perimenopause out, it’s kinda what she’s meant to do.”
– Dr. Heather Bartos, OBGYN
In This Episode:
00:00 Introduction from Meghan Rabbitt
00:47 What you can expect from today’s episode
02:20 What is the difference between perimenopause and menopause, and why should women in their 40s care?
04:25 Why and how does the perimenopause period vary for every woman?
06:15 Let’s talk about the biggest symptoms of perimenopause
07:57 What’s happening hormonally during perimenopause?
09:48 What about women on hormonal birth control who do not have periods or other physical symptoms? How can they tell?
11:32 The myths about hormone treatment that many women still believe
13:29 Why is it so important to treat perimenopausal symptoms?
15:21 Is there a correlation between puberty and menopause?
16:48 How can women find an ally to support them during this time?
22:28 So, how do you really know where you are in this process? What tests should you have, or questions should you ask your OBGYN?
24:18 At what point do you need to undergo lab tests?
27:06 Women’s thoughts about hormone treatment and the truth about it
30:39 What can perimenopausal women do to embrace this period in their life?
35:38 The real opportunity for women approaching the perimenopausal stage
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