In this episode, Darlene and Ben share their unconventional love story, which was challenged and strengthened by Darlene’s menopause experience. Although Ben is 20 years younger than Darlene, he has proven to be an exemplary partner and source of support for Darlene as she struggled with menopause symptoms. In addition to the broader impact of menopause symptoms on her daily life, Darlene also shares how her symptoms affected her work and how she felt unsupported in her workplace. This experience eventually led her to take time off work, however, it also inspired her to become an advocate to help educate, bring awareness, and support others going through menopause in the workplace. Ben has extended his committed support for Darlene by joining her in these advocacy efforts. The couple also talks about their shared passion for fitness and powerlifting, which has brought joy and confidence to Darlene in her midlife years. 

Content warning: this episode mentions the topic of suicidal ideation.  

Useful Links: 

• If you are in need of immediate support, you can call, text, or chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available free of charge in the United States 24/7)
• Learn more about strength training and menopause in one of our previous episodes A Strong Menopause with Susan Niebergall.
• Are you interested in sharing your menopause story on the podcast? You can pass your contact details to the production team for further consideration by filling out this form. 

This episode shares the stories of Stephanie and Karen, two friends based in the north of England. In addition to both experiencing menopause, Stephanie and Karen both battled with breast cancer. The two have supported each other through “the really big stuff” and underscore the importance of strong friendships in midlife. This episode demonstrates that it is never too late to form deep friendships and how valuable it can be to connect with others who are going through similar experiences.

Useful Links: Listen to more episodes featuring the experience of fibroids (Kathie’s Story and Sateria’s Story), hysterectomy (Deborah’s Story), and cancer (Rebecca’s Story), during midlife.

Are you interested in sharing your menopause story on the podcast? You can pass your contact details to the production team for further consideration by filling out this form.

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

It’s time to talk about menopause in the workplace. In this final episode of the season, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin welcomes guests Barbara Brooks (founder of SecondActWomen) and Dr. Nikki Shaffer (Head of Colleague Wellness at Pfizer) for an in-depth discussion on the topic of menopause in the workplace. The ladies bring their expertise and life experience to reflect on common challenges and opportunities that women may face in their careers. The conversation touches on: navigating age stigma and burnout, managing menopause symptoms during the workday, shifting priorities, changing careers, and more.

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

Listen now! All episodes of this season available:

1. Deanna on going through a divorce, becoming a health coach, and reclaiming her sex life after menopause
2. Sateria on living with uterine fibroids, managing anxiety during menopause, navigating the healthcare system as a Black woman, and her role as a notable patient advocate
3. Gina on receiving a cancer diagnosis, managing menopause in the workplace, and adopting a “say yes” attitude in midlife
4. Deborah on determined hope, despite her struggles with endometriosis, surgically induced menopause, infertility, and migraines

Deborah’s story is one of determined hope and her commitment to carving her own path through life is inspiring. Deborah discusses her complex medical history, and her battles with endometriosis, surgically induced menopause, and migraine. She captures the emotional pain of struggling to conceive and accepting life without having kids. Despite these challenges, Deborah chose to listen to her body, find self-acceptance, and overcome adversity. With unexpected optimism and a charming Scottish accent, Deborah brings a unique voice to the podcast in this episode. 

Content warning: this episode touches on issues around fertility and suicidal ideation.  

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

If you are in need of immediate support, you can call, text, or chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available free of charge in the United States 24/7)

Listen to menopause: unmuted episode on sex & intimacy: An Intimate Menopause w/ Dr. Laurie Mintz

Additional information on topics discussed during this episode:

• Understanding and Evaluating Infertility and Mental Health and Infertility (Source: Society of Women’s Health Research)
• Endometriosis (Source: Mayo Clinic)
• Menopause and Mental Health (Source: Let’s Talk Menopause)
• Mental Health America

In this episode, Gina shares the challenges and opportunities that she faced in midlife. While going through her menopause transition, Gina was met with a cancer diagnosis, and a move across the country. Gina also goes into detail about working in a competitive environment, and how she navigated menopause symptoms and feeling “not cool” in her workplace amongst younger colleagues. She describes her new perspective on life: “And my husband and I adopted this ‘say yes’ attitude to things, we say yes to as many things as we possibly can. If we have the time, we'll find the money, if we have the money, we find the time.” 

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

In this episode, Sateria paints a vivid picture of what it’s like to live with uterine fibroids. She brings a unique perspective to the conversation around menopause, getting real and vulnerable about her decades-long struggle with fibroids, navigating the healthcare system as a Black woman, and becoming an advocate for women across the globe. Sateria shares aspects of her journey that many women may relate to including managing anxiety, experiencing weight gain, and moving back home to care for an elderly loved one. As the founder of the Fibroid Foundation, a global community of fibroid patients, Sateria discusses the power of patient advocates, in addition to how she maintains a healthy work-life balance. Sateria’s story helps empower women to be their own advocate in their health journeys, “there is a lot that a patient can contribute to understanding of a health concern because they've lived it.” 

About Sateria and the Fibroid Foundation

Sateria is a patient advocate who was diagnosed with fibroids at the age of 26. After receiving the recommendation of a hysterectomy in her 20s, she was prompted to explore other options to manage her fibroid diagnosis. She began a quest for information, which led her to found The Fibroid Foundation. As The Fibroid Foundation, Founder and CEO, Sateria has supported over 26M women globally across 71 countries, providing better care and education around women’s health. The organization’s mission is to amplify the voice of women living with fibroids, through innovative programs, strategic initiatives, and powerful partnerships.

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option. 

Useful Links:

Listen to our bonus episode on brain health and stress: A Calm Menopause w/Dr. Pauline Maki

More information on uterine fibroids at the Fibroid Foundation

In this episode, Deanna talks candidly about relationships, sex and becoming a health coach in midlife. She discusses the realities of going through a divorce while experiencing menopause symptoms, with sleep issues particularly adding stress to this transitional period of her life. Deanna also describes the impact that lowered libido can have on marriage, and shares ways that she has helped to improve intimacy with her partner over the years. Health and fitness also play a key role in Deanna’s menopause journey, eventually leading to a career in health coaching and blogging. This episode touches on several topics that many women may relate to, and Deanna’s honesty and energetic attitude is contagious. 

About Deanna Pizitz

Deanna is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and life coach, and creator of the Well and Worthy Life blog, which focuses on helping readers build self-inspiration, self-care, and self-love. She is particularly passionate about supporting women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond to regain their energy, improve their fitness, and find purpose. Deanna is a firm believer that “everyone can live a well and worthy life based on the notion that what someone does today and the choices they make today affect their tomorrows.” 

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

Listen to our bonus episode on sex & intimacy: An Intimate Menopause w/ Dr. Laurie Mintz

Check out Deanna’s Instagram

Visit Deanna’s blog Well & Worthy Life

Another season of menopause: unmuted is coming to you soon. And it’s no coincidence we’re sharing this announcement today, which is World Menopause Day.

Get caught up now on past seasons of the podcast, and make sure to subscribe or follow the show to keep updated when new episodes drop.

Thank you to our menopause: unmuted community for tuning in to the last three seasons of the podcast. Until next time, keep talking.

Bonus Episode: A Calm Menopause with Dr. Pauline Maki

Dr. Pauline Maki, Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Obstetrics & Gynecology, joins this season’s final bonus episode with host Dr. Mary Jane Minkin to talk about managing the emotional symptoms related to menopause, how to reduce stress and help have a “calm” menopause. The experts unpack how estrogen can affect brain function and mood. The conversation covers how common menopausal symptoms and experiences, including brain fog, stress, hot flashes and disturbed sleep, are related to overall mental health. Dr. Maki and Dr. Minkin also discuss disparities in women’s health and how socioeconomic status and race can affect women’s brain health in midlife. Methods to help reduce stress are detailed to give listeners actionable ways to improve their mental health.

About Dr. Pauline Maki:

Dr. Pauline Maki is Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Obstetrics & Gynecology and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Dr. Maki received her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the National Institute on Aging. For the past 25 years, she has led a program of NIH-funded research on women, cognition, mood and dementia, with a particular focus on the menopause. Dr. Maki is Past President of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), Current Trustee of the International Menopause Society, Chair of the Society for Women's Health Research Interdisciplinary Network on Alzheimer's Disease, and Immediate Past Head of the Neurocognitive Working Group of the Women's Interagency HIV Study. She won the 2018 Woman in Science Award from the American Medical Women's Association and the Thomas B. Clarkson Outstanding Clinical and Basic Science Research Award from the NAMS (Healthywomen.org).

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Sex psychologist Dr. Laurie Mintz joins the series host Dr. Mary Jane Minkin to discuss the joys and challenges of maintaining a healthy sex life during menopause. Dr. Mintz helps address some common questions and misconceptions around sex and menopause, talking about desire, comfort, and communication. This episode explores how women can work to reframe what sex and intimacy mean to them in midlife. Dr. Mintz believes sexual health and wellness are integral components of self-care and overall health and she provides practical information  that may help women enjoy sex during midlife. 

About Dr. Laurie Mintz:

Dr. Laurie Mintz is an author, therapist, professor, and speaker whose life’s work has been committed to helping people live more authentic, meaningful, joyful—and sexually satisfying—lives through the art and science of psychology. Dr. Mintz has published over 50 research articles in academic journals and six chapters in academic books. She has received numerous professional and teaching awards. She is the author of two popular press books—both written with the aim of empowering women sexually: Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get It (HarperOne, 2017) and A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex: Reclaim Your Desire and Reignite Your Relationship (Adams Media, 2009). For over 30 years, Dr. Mintz has also maintained a small private practice, working with both individuals and couples on general and sexual issues.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

Dr. Mintz’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauriemintz/

Dr. Mintz’s Website: https://www.drlauriemintz.com/

In this bonus episode, host Dr. Mary Jane Minkin sits down with online strength coach Susan Niebergall to talk about fitness, particularly strength training, and how it helps support women in midlife. Susan explains ways in which strength and resistance training can help improve muscle mass and bone density and why this is particularly important for women during perimenopause and menopause. She highlights her holistic approach to fitness, “our priority should be leading a functional life for as long as we can” and shares practical guidance for women to begin implementing strength training into their fitness routine, including while at-home. Dr. Minkin and Susan also chat about their own personal fitness journeys and finding confidence in the gym in midlife.

About Susan Niebergall:

Susan is a personal trainer and online strength coach with a background of over three decades in education. She shares practical guidance, tips, and demonstrations on fitness and weight training to her sizable online audience (@susanniebergallfitness) and also offers personalized coaching plans. She is also the author of Fit At Any Age: It’s Never Too Late and hosts her own podcast, Strong and Lean at Any Age. At 62 years of age, Susan is passionate about inspiring other women in midlife to get fit, often promoting her motto: “it’s never too late.”

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

Susan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanniebergallfitness/

Susan’s Website: https://susanniebergallfitness.com/

In the first of our new bonus episodes, host Dr. Mary Jane Minkin is joined by Registered Dietitian and Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Jenn Salib Huber to discuss diet and nutrition during the menopausal transition. Jenn shares her extensive knowledge of how diet interacts with body weight and shape, and bone and cardiovascular health. The conversation also explores the deeply complex relationship between food and women’s bodies, and how women can help heal this relationship during midlife. Jenn tells us, “We need to shift our frame of reference and move away from the idea that we should only have one body shape and size for the rest of our life.” Jenn also shares her love for food and packing her recipes with healthful ingredients that feed the soul, such as her favorite autumn go-to dinner, Tortilla Soup: 

Jenn’s Tortilla Soup Recipe: 

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp of olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 can of black beans

1 can of kidney beans

1 cup of corn kernels (canned or frozen)

2-3 chicken breasts

4 cups of chicken broth

1 can of diced tomatoes 

1.5 Tbsp of taco seasoning (1 sachet)

½ tsp of smoked paprika (optional) 

Toppings: tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos, green onion, etc. 

Directions:

1. Add olive oil to pan and sauté onions, garlic and red pepper until soft. 
2. Add chicken breasts, broth, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, black beans, kidney beans and corn to pan. 
3. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken is cooked. 
4. Shred chicken breasts with 2 forks, remove from heat and serve with toppings! 

Notes: This is a perfect soup to throw in a slow cooker on a busy day! It also freezes well, so make more and save for a busy week! If using a slow cooker, cook for 4 hours on high. 

About Dr. Jenn Salib Huber:

Jenn is a Canadian Registered Dietitian and Naturopathic Doctor with a mission to help women thrive in midlife. With over 20 years of experience in the field of health and nutrition, she educates and inspires women to be informed about food choices, harness the practice of intuitive eating, and regain confidence throughout the menopausal transition. Jenn arms her audience with information through her platform on Instagram (@menopause.nutritionist) and her podcast (The Midlife Feast). 

Disclaimer:

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

Jenn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menopause.nutritionist/

Jenn’s Website: https://www.jennsalibhuber.ca/

This episode features sisters Suzanne and Becky, as they reflect on their menopause journeys. Although they have similar outlooks on this stage of life, Suzanne entered perimenopause after undergoing surgery to manage symptoms due to uterine fibroids. In the episode, Becky and Suzanne recount their mother’s avoidant approach to menopause and more broadly, on differing attitudes to menopause across generations. Both sisters shared experiences of challenge and change in their working lives through midlife, and how they persevered through these times of turbulence. Their stories give an optimistic and grounded perspective on the menopause experience, with both women expressing a newfound sense of freedom they have both discovered in this life stage. 

Useful Links: 

• You can hear more about the experience of uterine fibroids and menopause by listening to Sateria’s Story from last season.
• Learn more about strength training and menopause in one of our previous bonus episodes  A Strong Menopause with Susan Niebergall.
• Are you interested in sharing your menopause story on the podcast? You can pass your contact details to the production team for further consideration by filling out this form.

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

In this episode Susan shares her pragmatic approach to menopause and how she deals with night sweats and a lack of sleep and the impact of these on her mood, her family and her job through talking and laughter. 

Susan is a great advocate for finding comfort in knowing you aren’t the only one, in finding your ‘tribe’ and speaking out. “I really find that the friends are extremely supportive, and it's funny because we almost laugh about it...I feel part of a group, not necessarily part of a group that I'm looking to be in, but I'm lucky to be in a group of women that are forthright about it and can laugh about it.”

Susan’s friendships and her willingness to be open-minded with her doctor have made a big difference to her menopause experience, so if you don’t have a group of friends who are able to support you in menopause, speak to your healthcare provider or there are several online menopause communities supporting women virtually. 

In this episode we hear from Barbara, who has dealt with symptoms shared by many women, namely hot flushes, night sweats, and heart health issues, that occur all too frequently as we get older. She found a lack of opportunities to talk about menopause and build a support network meant she had to deal with another common issue: isolation. 

Barbara managed her symptoms on her own for over 10 years before seeking help, So many women could have less isolating menopause experiences if they spoke openly about their symptoms and the impact on their lives. I hope Barbara inspires you to speak up and find a friendly listening ear. 

E2: Mary Beth’s Story

In this episode, Mary Beth reflects on how family attitudes and her experiences growing up and going through puberty have impacted her own mid-life journey. 

Mary Beth discusses the defining symptoms of her menopause (heavy periods, and bone loss) and how they led her to change her career, becoming a yoga teacher and nutritional coach to help other women with osteopenia and osteoporosis. “The women in my practice will often report to me that they had no idea that their bones were going to be affected by menopause. I think that's a huge black hole here that we need to address.”

I hope Mary Beth’s story inspires you to take good care of yourself and your bones as well as the relationships that strengthen and support you.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

https://www.pfizer.com/news/podcasts#menopause-resources

https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/menopause-preparedness-fact-sheet/

https://www.menopausecafe.net/

https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/menopause-preparedness-toolkit-a-womans-empowerment-guide/

E1: Marilyn’s Story

In this episode, Marilyn’s story explores the power of family relationships and self-care in supporting a positive menopause. 

Marilyn shares her experiences of how open communication within her family de-mystified menstruation and menopause right from the time of puberty. Conversations with her female relatives gave her strength and guided her to approach perimenopause, along with overall wellbeing and self-care, with a positive attitude. Remember, menopause is a new phase of life: you haven’t been there before, so isn’t it great to have trusted family and friends who can share with you their experiences. You don’t have to do this alone. 

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Useful Links:

https://www.pfizer.com/news/podcasts#menopause-resources

https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/menopause-preparedness-fact-sheet/

https://www.menopausecafe.net/

https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/menopause-preparedness-toolkit-a-womans-empowerment-guide/

The final episode of Season 2 brings different healthcare professional perspectives on menopause. Series host, Dr Mary Jane Minkin, is joined by women's health nurse practitioner, Dr Shelagh Larson, and behavioural psychologist, Dr Sheryl Kingsberg. In a lively conversation, the three women’s health experts delve deeper into the breadth of symptoms and experiences shared by the women in Season 2, normalizing and contextualizing all the while encouraging women to speak up about their symptoms. 

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links

• https://www.menopauseunmuted.com
• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

From working out five days a week to not wanting to go to the gym at all, fitness devotee Carla talks about how she “had to figure out a way of getting back” from the low mood and loss of energy she experienced in menopause, and how setting realistic goals helped her find her way back to feeling her ‘fab ‘n’ fit’ self.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links

• https://www.menopauseunmuted.com
• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

In her own words, Catherine “crashed into menopause.” It made her feel off-balance both physically and emotionally.  Candidly, she describes the hot flashes, night sweats, and skin changes that characterized her menopause and why she feels a responsibility to talk about it. Catherine 

Is the founder of a global online community of midlife women and believes “it’s really important for women to share stories.” 

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links

• https://www.menopauseunmuted.com
• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

Chenoa describes herself as an emotional and soul intelligence expert. She considers her menopause journey as a powerfully positive time of renewal to “create the things that work for me.” In her episode she speaks honestly about the effect her menopause had on sex and intimacy, and how open discussion with her husband helped her move into this next stage in her life with confidence.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links.

• https://www.menopauseunmuted.com
• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

Fashionista and midlife social media influencer, Shauna describes the intense hot flashes and uncontrollable periods that defined her menopause journey.  She explains how her doctor “helped me realise what was going on in my body.” She challenges women not to fear menopause, but to talk about it and embrace it.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links  

• https://menopauseunmuted.com/
• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

"However, you experience menopause, it’s so important to remember you’re not alone." In the the final episode of season one, Dr Mary Jane Minkin shares some of her story highlights.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links

• http://menopauseunmuted.com
• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

The debut episode of this season features couple Karen and Mark, who got married in the midst of Karen’s menopause journey. Tender, uplifting, and honest: their story captures how good communication through the menopause experience can help strengthen a relationship. Karen has used her own experiences to help other women, and Mark adds an invaluable perspective, as the first male voice of the podcast. Their story is about getting second chances in midlife and exemplifies how important patience and good communication are for supporting a partner through menopause. 

Useful Links: 

• You can learn more about brain fog and how to help have a calm menopause in our previous bonus episode A Calm Menopause with Dr. Pauline Maki
• Are you interested in sharing your menopause story on the podcast? You can pass your contact details to the production team for further consideration by filling out this form.

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

E5: Rebecca’s Story

Of all the symptoms she experienced, Rebecca felt powerless to combat the weight she gained. Rebecca’s story is about switching focus to celebrating the power and capabilities of a woman’s body and sharing her experience with her two teenage girls. “I found if you bring the people who are closest to you into what's happening, and you talk about it, it's so much easier.”

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links 

• http://menopauseunmuted.com

• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

E4: Kathie’s Story

Kathie experienced menopause in her 30s, induced by a partial hysterectomy. Now aged 54, her story is about becoming a cheerleader for her friends experiencing menopause and being there to talk and help them stay positive throughout this next phase of life. “I'm able to give them a sense that it's not the end of the world.”

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links 

• http://menopauseunmuted.com

• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

E3: Charlene’s Story

With the sudden onset of menopause, Charlene’s story is about her taking control, changing the way she worked to help manage hot flashes, and finding ways to manage her anxiety. In hindsight she wished she’d been more vocal. “There's usually someone that's listening. So, don't stop talking.”

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links

• http://menopauseunmuted.com
• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

E2: Rachel’s Story

From feeling invisible to invincible, Rachel’s story is about trying to navigate the emotional turbulence and physical changes associated with menopause, while managing other personal pressures. “I'm a badass ... and badassery just gets more creative as you get older.”

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links 

• http://menopauseunmuted.com

• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

E1: Susan’s Story

Susan’s story is about honesty of experience. She has no doubt that talking and sharing experiences with her friends and confiding in family and co-workers helped her navigate her way through menopause. “The more we talk about it … we're going to be able to break those barriers and break down those fences that have been placed before us.” 

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Links

• http://menopauseunmuted.com

• https://www.pfizer.com/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/menopause

Do you have a menopause experience that you’d like to share? Go to https://bit.ly/menopauseunmuted to share your contact details with our production team, who may be in touch. 

Seeking guests for our next season of menopause: unmuted! And this season, we’re giving guests the opportunity to invite a loved one, to help share their menopause story. This could be a husband or partner, a friend, sister, mother or daughter – anyone in your life who played a key role in your menopause experience.

menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

Dr. Kathryn Clancy—feminist scientist and author of Period, The Real Story of Menstruation—and Dr. Barbara Riegel—professor of nursing and co-director for the International Center for Self-Care Research—join host Dr. Charis Chambers to explore why women deprioritize their own health while being the primary caregivers for their families, and the importance of implementing health-focused self care into daily life.​

Tanika Gray Valburn, founder of the White Dress Project, and board-certified OB-GYN ​Dr. Veronica Gillespie-Bell join host Dr. Charis Chambers for a forthright and honest conversation about uterine fibroids in Black women and the disparities in medical care that they face.​

Social worker and endometriosis patient advocate Casey Berna joins host Dr. Charis Chambers to discuss how women with period health issues often cope with their symptoms rather than seeking help, and how you can break the coping cycle.​

Anita Diamant—journalist and author of 12 books including The Red Tent and Period. End Of Sentence—and Rebecca Dimyan—author of Chronic, a novel about her experience with endometriosis—join host Dr. Charis Chambers for a candid and emotional conversation about period stigma, its negative effects, and what you can do to challenge and/or overcome it.​

Tales from the Uterus is a podcast series exploring the stigma associated with women’s health issues. Forthright, emotional, and sometimes gritty, this series explores issues of stigmatized conversations, normalized pain and heavy bleeding, and the stories of women standing up and seeking help. This podcast is a must for all women, menstruators, and those who care for them. Moderated by leading women’s health expert Dr. Charis Chambers, this series provides real stories and offers a fresh perspective on the reasons we still can’t talk about uterine health openly. This podcast is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

In this inspiring episode, Kwavi shares her journey of redefining life after 50 and helping other women do the same. As a certified life coach, she encourages women to see midlife as a time of growth, joy, and self-discovery. Kwavi discusses her own experiences with menopause and aging, challenging societal expectations, and embracing this stage with confidence.

Kwavi highlights the importance of self-care and self-acceptance during midlife, when many women question their identity and purpose. Listen in for Kwavi’s insights on breaking free from limiting beliefs, prioritizing self-love, and celebrating the unique opportunities that midlife brings.

Useful Links: 

• Find more information and resources on menopause and certified menopause practitioners at The Menopause Society: menopause.org
• Learn more about sex and menopause in one of our previous episodes An Intimate Menopause with Dr. Laurie Mintz
• Are you interested in sharing your menopause story on the podcast? You can pass your contact details to the production team for further consideration by filling out this form.

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

In this episode, Patty shares her journey through perimenopause and menopause, highlighting the physical and emotional symptoms she faced, such as night sweats, migraines, and anxiety. Initially unaware of the menopause connection, she sought medical advice that helped her understand her changing body. She also found that many of her friends and coworkers were going through similar experiences, creating valuable support networks along the way.

Patty reflects on the lack of information provided by doctors, which left her feeling unprepared for this phase of life. However, she celebrates her newfound self-acceptance and healthier lifestyle, which includes no longer smoking and taking better care of herself. By sharing her story, Patty encourages women to listen to their bodies, seek help, and have more open discussion about menopause.

Useful Links: 

• Find more information and resources on menopause from The Menopause Society at: menopause.org
• Learn more about mental health and menopause in one of our previous episodes A Calm Menopause with Dr. Pauline Maki
• Are you interested in sharing your menopause story on the podcast? You can pass your contact details to the production team for further consideration by filling out this form. 

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

In this episode, Edi shares her powerful story of navigating menopause and the growth she experienced through this transitional life stage. Beginning her journey at the start of the pandemic, she faced physical symptoms, including hot flashes, stiffness, and vertigo, in addition to significant emotional changes. 

Rather than feeling defeated, she used these challenges to deepen her connection with her emotions and examine her lifestyle choices. Edi discovered that menopause provided a unique opportunity to let go of perfectionism and embrace a more balanced, flexible approach to work and life. Her story also highlights how menopause reshaped her views on intimacy, enhancing her relationship with her partner and fostering a deeper understanding of her own needs. Edi’s experience encourages listeners to view menopause as a chance for meaningful growth, connection, and self-acceptance.

Useful Links: 

• Find more information and resources on menopause and certified menopause practitioners at The Menopause Society: menopause.org
• Learn more about sex and menopause in one of our previous episodes An Intimate Menopause with Dr. Laurie Mintz
• Learn more about emotional health and menopause in one of our previous episodes A Calm Menopause with Dr. Pauline Maki
• Are you interested in sharing your menopause story on the podcast? You can pass your contact details to the production team for further consideration by filling out this form. 

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.

In this episode, Maricia offers a candid look at her menopause journey, which has unfolded over decades. Despite dealing with hot flashes in her seventies, Maricia continues to approach this stage of life with positivity, showing women that aging can be a time of empowerment and reinvention.

With warmth and humor, she discusses her approach to thriving in this stage of life—staying engaged with her passions, celebrating her role as a grandmother, and encouraging women to embrace aging with confidence. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that life after menopause can be full of purpose and joy.

Useful Links: 

• Find more information and resources on menopause and certified menopause practitioners at The Menopause Society: menopause.org
• Are you interested in sharing your menopause story on the podcast? You can pass your contact details to the production team for further consideration by filling out this form. 

Disclaimer: menopause: unmuted is designed to raise awareness, encourage communication, and share information. It is not designed to provide medical advice or promote or recommend any treatment option.