This Is Perimenopause: Women's Health, Perimenopause and Menopause Journey – Details, episodes & analysis

Today’s question for Dr. Woganee Filate is: Is there a way to manage weight gain related to menopause?

In this Lume Minute, you'll discover:

• Why menopausal weight gain occurs
• How protein can help
• Sleep's impact on weight
• The impact of diabetes or insulin sensitivity
• Exercise essentials
• The truth about HRT and weight
• Fiber's important role

Lume Women + Health will be opening soon! They understand the unique challenges women face during perimenopause and beyond. Be sure to check out their dedicated menopause program that provides personalized support, medical guidance, and lifestyle optimization education to help you manage symptoms, improve your well-being, and thrive during this life stage.

Every other week, the team at Lume Women + Health will be dropping into our podcast to answer one of your questions. Be sure to follow our podcast so that you never miss these Lume Minutes. Find ‘This Is Perimenopause, the podcast’ wherever you listen to your favorites.

Episode Links

• Dr Woganee Filate Bio
• Lume Women + Health
• MQ6 Tool
• Menopause Foundation of Canada symptom tracker

Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is Perimenopause

• Email us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter
• Follow This Is Perimenopause on Instagram
• Follow This Is Perimenopause on Facebook

Each episode will share life stories and expert insight into women's health and your perimenopause and menopause journey.

This episode was recorded as part of Podcasthon 2025, a global initiative raising awareness for charities worldwide and inspiring millions of listeners to care, act, and make a difference.

For our contribution, we are dedicating this episode to The Menopause Foundation of Canada and are grateful to its President and Co-Founder, Janet Ko for sharing her story with us.

Like many women, Janet Ko was blindsided by perimenopause. Despite assurances from multiple medical professionals that she was quite healthy, she felt quite ill. So much so that her unmanaged symptoms negatively impacted her career trajectory and her quality of life. The injustice of this all-too-common experience is what prompted Janet to co-found The Menopause Foundation of Canada, sparking a national conversation and leading the charge with research and facts that society can no longer afford to ignore.

In This Episode:

• Women should not accept poor health during menopause.
• Menopause should be viewed as a health transition, not just an end to reproductive life.
• Awareness and education about menopause are crucial for women and healthcare providers.
• Creating menopause-inclusive workplaces can help retain talented women.
• Access to menopause care is a human right, and yet women are still struggling with menopause.

Learn more about the Menopause Foundation of Canada:

Website 

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Join the movement and help to make a difference in improving the menopause journey for generations of women!

• Email us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter
• Follow This Is Perimenopause on Instagram
• Follow This Is Perimenopause on Facebook

Janet Ko Bio

Janet Ko is the President and Co-Founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada, a national nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of menopause and its impact on women and society. A passionate advocate for women’s health, she is committed to closing the menopause knowledge gap and improving access to care and treatment.

Janet is on a mission to redefine menopause-shifting the narrative from stigma to renewal, strength, and wisdom. She sees menopause as a crucial health transition that demands better support from the medical community, government, workplaces and society. Like many women, she was unprepared for menopause and knows firsthand how unmanaged symptoms can hold women back. Determined to drive change, she cofounded the Menopause Foundation of Canada, launching landmark research and advocacy campaigns that ignited a national conversation and spurred meaningful action.

An award-winning leader in strategic communications, Janet has spearheaded innovative thought leadership initiatives on ageism, intergenerational learning, and menopause in the workplace. She has held senior executive roles across diverse health-related sectors, bringing a depth of expertise to her advocacy. A compelling speaker and champion for change, she was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in 2023 for her impact and leadership.

Today’s question for Dr. Amy Louis Bayliss is:

I don't get periods anymore. I have an IUD or I've had a hysterectomy. How do I know if I'm in menopause?

In this Lume Minute, you'll discover:

• Why menopause diagnosis may not matter
• Key menopause symptoms/markers
• FSH blood testing explained
• If your period return after you remove your IUD

Lume Women + Health is open now! They understand the unique challenges women face during perimenopause and beyond. Be sure to check out their dedicated menopause program, which provides personalized support, medical guidance, and lifestyle optimization education to help you manage symptoms, improve your well-being, and thrive during this life stage.

Every other week, the team at Lume Women + Health will be dropping into our podcast to answer one of your questions. Be sure to follow our podcast that you never miss these Lume Minutes. Find ‘This Is Perimenopause, the podcast’ wherever you listen to your favorites.

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Each episode will share life stories and expert insight into women's health and your perimenopause and menopause journey.

We promise this conversation will change your life. Tired of diets that leave you hungry, deprived, and right back where you started? Meet Gina Livy, founder of The Livy Method, a game-changing program that's revolutionizing weight loss - and trust us, we've seen it all!

This isn't your typical diet. No weighing food, no counting calories, and no deprivation (wine lovers, rejoice!). The Livy Method succeeds where others fail by focusing on rebuilding your relationship with food and teaching you to trust your body again.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why traditional calories-in-calories-out diets set you up for failure.
• A new approach to weight loss that leaves you energized instead of deprived.
• How to listen to your body's natural hunger signals.
• The reason your body might be holding onto weight.
• How to break the yo-yo- diet cycle with simple strategies to create lasting change.

With over 250,000 pounds lost by program participants, The Livy Method proves that sustainable weight loss is possible. Whether you're dealing with perimenopause or just tired of yo-yo dieting, Gina's practical, compassionate approach might be exactly what you've been searching for.Connect with Gina LivyThe Livy Method FacebookInstagramYouTubeDr Ruth Kane’s Research Report

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Are you dealing with endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain or painful sex? Then tune into this candid, inspiring conversation with Rachel Bartholomew. Diagnosed with cervical cancer at just 28, Rachel's world was turned upside down. But she turned her experience into a company that is revolutionizing pelvic health care.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The shock of a cervical cancer diagnosis at 28 and the importance of regular check-ups
• Navigating the complexities of surgical menopause and its far-reaching effects
• How a glass Pyrex tube became the catalyst for innovation in pelvic health
• The birth of Hyivy and its game-changing device for pelvic health therapy
• Why quality of life should be at the forefront of healthcare decisions
• The power of self-advocacy in getting the care you deserve

Plus, Rachel offers hope and practical advice for women struggling with these conditions.

Links for this episode

Hyivy Health
Femtech Canada
Hyivy Health on Instagram
Femtech Canada on Instagram

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Today’s question for Dr. Woganee Filate is:

I want my hormones checked. Will this be helpful?

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why testing for menopause is not recommended
• When bloodwork might be indicated
• When measuring follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is helpful

Lume Women + Health will be opening soon! They understand the unique challenges women face during perimenopause and beyond. Be sure to check out their dedicated menopause program that provides personalized support, medical guidance, and lifestyle optimization education to help you manage symptoms, improve your well-being, and thrive during this life stage.

Every other week, the team at Lume Women + Health will be dropping into our podcast to answer one of your questions. Be sure to follow our podcast so that you never miss these Lume Minutes. Find ‘This Is Perimenopause, the podcast’ wherever you listen to your favorites.

Have a question? Send us a message at hello@thisisperimenopause.com and we’ll get you an answer.

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Menopause is having a moment right now, but Shirley Weir has been leading the charge since 2012 when she founded Menopause Chicks. Shirley has spent over a decade providing women with evidence-based information and a supportive community during this transformative life stage.

Today, Shirley shares her personal journey from an overwhelmed perimenopausal woman to a passionate health advocate. She offers practical advice for navigating the often confusing world of menopause, from dealing with symptoms to communicating effectively with healthcare providers.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why Google isn't your friend when it comes to menopause information - and where to find reliable resources instead
• The power of small, consistent actions in managing menopause symptoms
• How to advocate for yourself in healthcare appointments
• Why "perimenopause" doesn’t need to be a synonym for suffering
• Practical tips for partners supporting women through menopause

Whether you're just starting your menopause journey or supporting someone who is, Shirley's insights will empower you to take charge of your health and well-being. 

Connect with Shirley
Menopause Chicks
The Nest
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Today’s question for Dr. Sarah Shaw is:

How do I start the conversation with my doctor about symptoms that I’m not even sure are real symptoms?

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The variety of symptoms
• Tracking and rating symptoms
• MQ6 Tool
• Menopause Foundation of Canada symptom tracker
• Have a goal for your appointment with your medical provider

Lume Women + Health will be opening soon! They understand the unique challenges women face during perimenopause and beyond. Be sure to check out their dedicated menopause program that provides personalized support, medical guidance, and lifestyle optimization education to help you manage symptoms, improve your well-being, and thrive during this life stage.

Every other week, the team at Lume Women + Health will be dropping into our podcast to answer one of your questions. Be sure to follow our podcast so that you never miss these Lume Minutes. Find ‘This Is Perimenopause, the podcast’ wherever you listen to your favorites.

Mikelle recently sat down with Stefanie Peachey, owner of Peachey Counselling to talk about the unique life challenges women face and why seeking professional help is not only okay, it’s really important. In some age groups, the proportion of women with a diagnosed mood disorder is almost twice that of men. 

Women often experience significant stress balancing their multiple roles and when you add in hormonal changes, things can get overwhelming. And the all-too-common tactic of ‘just getting through it’ can be dangerous. Having a therapist help you understand and navigate this life phase can be life changing.

In this episode you’ll discover: 

• Why a therapist can be a very important tool in your perimenopausal toolkit
• How anxiety can distort reality and requires cognitive reframing to manage effectively
• Why building a support system is crucial for navigating life's challenges
• Why therapy is a valuable resource for anyone, not just those in crisis

Regardless of your struggle, recognizing that you’re not alone and how and when to seek help, are universal first steps that every woman needs, and deserves, to understand.

Links for this episode:

• Peachey Counselling
• Peachey Counselling on Instagram

Curious about weight loss and drugs like Ozempic? 

Interested in learning some facts about these drugs? 

As with all of the information we provide, this is not medical advice. It is a really great conversation between 3 friends, one of whom has in-depth knowledge of drugs like Ozempic because of her job as a biopharma public equity investor. We know you’re really going to enjoy this catch up with our dear friend, Paulina Niewiadomska. Note: this also is not investment advice.

Episode Highlights:

• How Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists, originally approved for type 2 diabetes, are now being used to address obesity.
• Paulina shares her personal experience with Ozempic to lose and maintain her weight.
• The risks and benefits of these medications, including the risk of muscle loss.
• How drugs like Ozempic can address emotional eating.

The intent of this podcast is to provide you with evidence-based information that will support more efficient and effective communication with your medical providers. It is not intended as medical advice.

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!