It’s Not You. It’s Perimenopause.

Key takeaways

Perimenopause is a significant phase that often comes with various psychological and physical symptoms that many women do not recognize as related to hormonal changes.
Understanding hormonal changes can help women better navigate their emotional and physical health, shifting the narrative around perimenopause.
Women are encouraged to advocate for their health and seek providers who specialize in menopause to get the care they deserve.
Establishing a support system, whether through community, family, or healthcare, is essential for women experiencing perimenopause.

Summary

Understanding Perimenopause

Dr. Becky and Dr. Mary Claire Haver discuss the often-overlooked stage of perimenopause, which occurs years before menopause. During this time, many women experience a range of symptoms including mood swings, anxiety, brain fog, and sleep disruptions. Dr. Haver emphasizes that this phase can feel like a chaotic hormonal upheaval, and many women feel they no longer recognize themselves due to these changes. Education about these symptoms is crucial, as many have been led to believe their experiences are solely emotional or psychological.

The Impact of Hormonal Changes

The conversation delves into how hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause affect various aspects of a woman's life, including mood, parenting, and relationships. Dr. Haver outlines the significant physiological changes that happen during this time, emphasizing that recognizing and understanding these changes can redirect the narrative from 'something is wrong with me' to 'something is changing in my body'. The podcast invalidates the misconception that feelings of discontent are merely due to stress or aging.

Advocating for Health Care

Dr. Haver discusses the importance of women advocating for themselves in the health care system, particularly when it comes to perimenopause. Often, women find their symptoms dismissed or misdiagnosed due to a lack of knowledge within the medical community. Listeners are encouraged to seek out health care providers who specialize in menopause care. The discussion underscores that managing hormonal changes can help alleviate symptoms more effectively than simply treating individual mental health symptoms.

Finding Support and Resources

The episode highlights the need for support systems for women navigating perimenopause. Dr. Becky and Dr. Haver acknowledge the stress that comes from juggling parenting during this period, as many women experience simultaneous hormonal shifts with their children. The podcast promotes resources such as Dr. Haver’s new book, community forums, and online healthcare options, encouraging listeners to seek help in understanding their experiences.

Show notes

Most women have heard of menopause.

Far fewer understand perimenopause — the years leading up to it, when things can start to feel… off.

Mood shifts. Brain fog. Anxiety. Sleep disruption. A sense of “I don’t recognize myself.”

In this episode, Dr. Becky sits down with OB-GYN and menopause expert Dr. Mary Claire Haver to unpack what’s actually happening in the body during perimenopause — and why so many women have been dismissed or left in the dark.

They talk about how hormonal changes impact mood, parenting, relationships, and resilience — and how understanding what’s happening internally can shift the story from “something is wrong with me” to “something is changing in my body.”

Dr. Haver’s new book, The New Perimenopause (out April 7), is part of a growing movement to bring clarity, research, and real support to this often-overlooked stage of life.
If you’ve ever felt unlike yourself and didn’t know why — this conversation will help you connect the dots.

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For a full transcript of the episode, go to goodinside.com/podcast.

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