This Is Perimenopause: Menopause, Perimenopause and Women's Health in Midlife

Hair is one of the first things people notice about us. So when it starts thinning, breaking, or changing texture in perimenopause, it hits differently. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Natalie Perkins from PAUZ Health and nurse practitioner Helen to finally have the conversation most doctors aren't having. What's happening inside the follicle, what the early warning signs are, and what works — and what doesn't — when it comes to your hair in midlife.In this episode:Why declining estrogen and rising androgen activity shrink the hair follicle and what that means for your ponytailThe early red flags to watch for (you can lose up to 40% of your hair before you notice it's gone)Why iron deficiency is the #1 cause of hair loss in women and the specific bloodwork you need to ask forHow chronic stress disrupts the hair growth cycle and why recovery takes longer than you'd expectEvidence-based vs. snake oil: what the science says about minoxidil, red light therapy, pumpkin seed oil, biotin, and moreWhen to handle it yourself and when it's time to see a dermatologistHair loss is not vanity. It's a quality of life issue and help exists.Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseBecome a TIP Insidercover next.Follow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookSubscribe to our SubstackEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to Dr. Natalie Perkins (MSc., PhD)Dr. Natalie Perkins is the founder of PAUZ Health, a platform built to help women get ahead of their health and out of the chaos and confusion of perimenopause. A seasoned strategist and leader in the healthcare sector, Natalie brings both the data and the lived experience. After finding herself lost when her own body started changing, she dove into the science, found the right support, and turned her personal journey into a powerful advocacy mission. At PAUZ, she's building the resource she wished she'd had: a place where women can find clarity, access, and real answers. As she puts it, “women may spend 40% of their lives in menopause. We deserve to be heard."Helen Frederickson (NP, MSCP)Helen Frederickson is a Nurse Practitioner and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with 20 years of experience in primary care and colorectal cancer survivorship. Helen brings a collaborative, inclusive approach to midlife women’s health. She meets women where they are and provides comprehensive, evidence-based care to help them thrive through the perimenopause transition. Links for this episode:Follow Pauz Health on InstagramBook at appointmentVisit Pauz HealthRead Pauz Health Blogs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your doctor offered you the pill for your perimenopause symptoms but said no to MHT. Why? It's one of the questions we get most.Dr. Jen Zelovitzky is back to explain how these treatments differ and the factors that should be considered when exploring each of these options for symptom management in perimenopause. She also explains why the one-year-without-a-period rule shouldn't be the gatekeeper for your treatment.In this episode:Why so many women are offered the pill but not MHT in perimenopauseWhen the pill is the right tool, and why it can stop working as wellHow an IUD or progestin-only pill can be paired with estrogenWhy there's no age or time limit on MHTWhat the Women's Health Initiative missed about women with symptomsWhat LOOP events are, why you might get them, and what you can do about themDr. Jen's bottom line: there is no woman out there who doesn't have an option. You deserve a good quality of life.And don’t miss a LIVE This Is Perimenopause podcast recording with Dr. Jen Zelovitzky at the National Menopause Show on Sunday, October 18 at 2:10 p.m. on the podcast stage. We’re talking about Breast Cancer and all the choices available to survivors who are suffering with through menopause. This is just one of the incredible expert speakers lined up. Tickets are only $35/day or $45 for both days. Buy your tickets today!Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseSubscribe to our SubstackBecome a TIP InsiderEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Follow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookDr. Jennifer ZelovitzkyDr. Jennifer Zelovitzky is a certified Menopause Specialist and the Clinical Director of Women’s Health at Medcan Toronto. Follow her on socials @DrJenZelo where she helps women better understand their bodies and advocate for their needs in the Canadian Healthcare system. She is also the mom of 2 amazing daughters and 3 fur babies. Links for this episodeDr. Jen Zelovitzky on InstagramMedcan Women’s Healthwww.drjenzelo.caRead Dr. Jen’s Blogs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where did this belly suddenly come from? And is a GLP-1 the answer?Everyone's talking about GLP-1s, but few people actually understand how they work. Dr. Sean Wharton is an internal medicine physician, a pioneer in obesity medicine, and founder of the Wharton Medical Clinic. He's here to give us the facts.Dr. Wharton explains what GLP-1s do in your body, why midlife belly fat is a health issue and not just a cosmetic one, and what to consider before you ask your doctor for one.In this episode:What a GLP-1 is and how it worksWhy your body changes shape in midlifeWhy some women struggle with weight more than othersWhen belly fat becomes a health riskWhat happens when you stop taking a GLP-1How to decide if a GLP-1 is right for youWhat to consider before you ask your doctor for oneWant to learn more? See Dr. Wharton live at the National Menopause Show on October 17 & 18 at the International Centre in Toronto. He’s just one of the incredible expert speakers lined up. Tickets are only $35/day or $45 for both days. Buy your tickets today!Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseSubscribe to our SubstackBecome a TIP InsiderEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Follow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookDr. Sean WhartonDr. Wharton has his doctorate in Pharmacy and Medicine from the University of Toronto inCanada. He practices internal medicine and is the director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, acommunity based weight management and diabetes clinic. He is an assistant professor at theUniversity of Toronto and adjunct professor at McMaster and York University. He is the leadauthour of the 2020 Canadian Obesity Guidelines, which has been recognized around the worldand has published many peer-reviewed articles in international medical journals, including leadauthor on several New England Journal of Medicine articles Dr. Wharton is involved in advocacy to achieve health equity in medicine.Links for this episodeWharton Medical Clinic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rushed appointments. Leaving your doctor’s appointment with no real answers and more questions than before. Have you thought about seeing a nurse practitioner?Dr. Roberta Heale has been a nurse practitioner for 27 years. She holds a PhD, co-founded Canada's first nurse practitioner-led clinic, and was the first president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada. Today she runs a virtual menopause clinic for women in Ontario and Alberta.And she’s here to share with us what an NP can do to support you in perimenopause.In this episode: What a nurse practitioner can do for you in perimenopauseWhat to expect at your first appointmentHow to find an NP who really knows menopauseWhy your provider might be following outdated guidelinesPlus a sneak peak into her talks at the National Menopause Show:Hypnosis for hot flashes, and why it worksHow perimenopause is affecting women at workWant to learn more? See Roberta Heale live at the National Menopause Show on October 17 & 18 at the International Centre in Toronto. She’s just one of the incredible expert speakers lined up. Tickets are only $35/day or $45 for both days. Buy your tickets today!Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseSubscribe to our SubstackBecome a TIP InsiderEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Follow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookRoberta Heale BioRoberta Heale is a nurse practitioner, a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner and owner of the Virtual Menopause Clinic where she provides care to women in Alberta and Ontario for symptoms of perimenopause through to post menopause. Not only does her practice include hormones, treatment for insomnia, weight management and more, women may choose Clinical Hypnosis. Roberta is also a university professor and has used her academic role to conduct research about the impact of the symptoms of menopause on work.  Links for this episodeFollow Roberta on InstagramRoberta's Virtual Menopause ClinicTake Roberta's survey on menopause and workFind a Menopause Society certified provider Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode will change how you think about that itch you've been ignoring down there.Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Amanda Selk, gynecologist and one of the leading voices in vulvar skin conditions, as she breaks down lichen sclerosus. It’s a common but wildly under-recognized chronic skin condition that can permanently change your anatomy if it goes untreated.In this episode:What is lichen sclerosus?Symptoms to watch forWhy your doctor probably isn't checking for this, even during a Pap smearThe permanent anatomical changes that can happen if it's left untreated How lichen sclerosus is diagnosed and treatedThe genetic and hormonal factors at play, including why perimenopause and postpartum estrogen drops can trigger symptomsHow to become "a looker" with Dr. Selk's simple monthly self-exam habit to catch problems earlyConnect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseSubscribe to our SubstackBecome a TIP InsiderEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Follow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookDr. Amanda SelkDr. Amanda Selk is one of Canada’s leading experts in vulvar skin disorders and HPV-related disease. As a gynecologist, educator, and advocate, she is dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of conditions that can have a profound impact on women’s health and quality of life.Through her clinical practice, research, and teaching, Dr. Selk cares for women with complex vulvar conditions, including lichen sclerosus, and works to advance awareness of HPV prevention, screening, and management. She is passionate about closing knowledge gaps for both patients and healthcare providers, ensuring women receive timely diagnoses, evidence-based care, and the support they need to navigate often misunderstood conditions.A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. Selk is committed to breaking down stigma and creating more open conversations about women’s health. Through her social media platform, @drselkdownthere, she shares evidence-based information on vulvar health, HPV, menopause, sexual health, and gynecologic care, helping women access trustworthy health information where they are already seeking it.Bottom line: Dr. Selk is passionate about helping women feel informed, supported, and confident in their healthcare while driving meaningful change in vulvar health and HPV care.Links for this episodeDr. Amanda Selk on InstagramDr. Amanda Selk Podcast - The Vulva DiariesLichen Sclerosus Guide (patient information)Lichen Sclerosus: ISSVD Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Management Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know Gina Livy as the weight loss expert. So when she told her community she was writing a book, we assumed we knew exactly what it would be about. We were wrong.Liv Lighter: The Art of Living Well in Your Body, Home, and Mind is out September 8, co-written with home designer Lynne Knowlton and travel planner Norma Thiessen. It's a book about the weight women actually carry. The guilt. The permission we're still waiting for. The house we keep clean for people who aren't even coming over.In this episode:Why weight loss is so much more than the numbers on the scaleHow your home is a wellness partnerWhy travel is about perspective, not sightseeingWhy sleep and stress are the actual midlife leversWhy Gina's back at the National Menopause Show in Toronto this October, and what she's moderating on the main stageThis conversation went places we didn't plan for, and we're keeping all of it.Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseSubscribe to our SubstackEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Follow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookGina Livy BioGina Livy is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, podcast host, and founder of The Livy Method, one of North America’s largest weight loss and wellness communities. A two-time recipient of WXN’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women award, Gina has spent more than 30 years helping hundreds of thousands of women create lasting change through a practical, lifestyle-firstapproach to health and wellness. Her newest book, Liv Lighter , expands that conversation beyond weight loss, exploring what it means to live well in your body, your home, your relationships, and your everyday life.Links for this episodeLiv Lighter: The Art of Living Well in Your Body, Home, and Mind Get 30% off at Indigo when you pre-order before September 7.The Livy Method - $10 Off Program Code To access your $10 off discount, head to the website, click Get Started and choose either the Fall Program or Monthly Membership. Enter code PERPODF26 at checkout and click Apply.Follow Gina on InstagramFollow Gina on FacebookFollow Gina on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second part of this incredible episode with Master’s level clinician and eating disorder specialist, we dive even deeper into how disordered eating shows up in ways we never expected – especially during the hormonal chaos of midlife.In this episode, you'll discover:Why "clean eating" (clinically called orthorexia) is becoming increasingly problematicThe deeper psychological roots beneath our food and body strugglesHow to model healthy eating behaviors for your children without passing on your own issuesThat freedom from these patterns is absolutely possible, no matter how long you've been stuckWe live in a culture that normalizes disordered eating. Luckily Kyla is here to show us what true food freedom actually looks like.Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseEmail 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 newsletterFollow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookKyla Fox BioKyla Fox has established herself as a visionary and innovator, when it comes to re-framing the way Canadians think about and treat eating disorders. As someone who struggled herself with an eating disorder, Fox identified care gaps and fundamental flaws in the treatment and recovery approach. Kyla is a Master’s level clinician with degrees from both the University of Toronto in the Master’s of Social Work program as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Women’s Studies. Kyla is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She is also a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders and the National Eating Disorders Association. With such deep and varied experience in the field, Kyla is regularly called on by Canada’s top media outlets as a special commentator on a broad list of topics, including eating disorders, self-esteem, women’s health, body image, pregnancy and body confidence and more. For more information please visit www.kylafoxcentre.com.Links for this episodeInstagram: @KylaFoxRecoveryFacebook: @KylaFoxCentreTwitter: @KylaFoxCentreThe Centre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Okay, so you're convinced. Sleep matters. Now what?In Part 2 of our conversation with Stefan Underwood, SVP of Methodology at Exos, we get into the practical stuff — the things you can actually do to protect and improve your sleep, even when perimenopause is working against you. No overwhelm, no 17-step overhaul. Just a clear framework and a few things worth trying.Because as Stefan puts it: perfect is the enemy of better. And better is absolutely worth fighting for.In this episode:The three-chapter framework for improving your sleep: foundational biology, environment, and disruptorsWhy morning and evening light exposure is one of the most powerful (and free) things you can do for your sleepThe truth about temperature and why cool isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.How to think about your sleep environment beyond cool, dark, and quiet The real cost of that one glass of wine Why heavy resistance training and sleep have a bi-directional relationship and what adenosine has to do with itThe emerging research on heat acclimation - hot tubs, dry saunas, and why training your body to handle heat might help reduce hot flashes and improve sleepPlus: the one thing Stefan wants every woman to know about sleep.This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start there. It'll change the way you think about why sleep matters in the first place.This is part of our Endy Reclaim Your Rest Sleep Series - helping you wake up rested, focused, and ready to take on whatever the day brings. Endy is Canada’s leading online mattress brand, trusted by over 1 million sleepers. Endy’s mattresses are designed to keep you cool and supported all night long, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day. With three comfort options—plush, medium-firm, and firm—you can find the perfect fit for your body and sleep style. And the best part? Endy delivers straight to your door, so upgrading your sleep is simpler than ever.Use Code THISISPERIMENOPAUSE100 at endy.com for $100 off your new mattress.Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseSubscribe to our SubstackBecome a TIP InsiderEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Follow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookStefan Underwood BioOver the past two decades, Stefan has supported the performance goals of pro athletes, elite military operators, and leaders within many Fortune 100 organizations. His passion lies in unlocking potential within individuals, teams, and organizations to help them not only perform at their best but to do so sustainably.Stefan is currently the Senior Vice President of methodology at Exos, an evidence-based coaching company that supports the pursuit of peak performance in the moments that matter most in sport, work, and life. He leads a diverse transdisciplinary team of subject matter experts spanning the fields of neuroscience, psychology, sports science, nutrition, coaching, and data analytics. Together, they seek to develop whole-human solutions for the puzzles found within human performance.Building on his roots in exercise science, Stefan has also completed a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Links for this episodeExos on Instagramteamexos.comBreath: The New Science of a Lost ArtBabelio White Noise Sound MachineBlackout Sleep Mask Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tired of being told sleep is good for you? Yeah, us too. We already know. The real question is: why aren't we protecting it?In this episode, we sit down with Stefan Underwood, Senior Vice President of Methodology at Exos, a human performance company that has worked with elite athletes, Special Operations Forces, and Fortune 500 leaders. Today Stefan is going to completely reframe the way you think about sleep. Not with guilt. Not with generic advice. But with a compelling, personal reason to finally fight for it.Because sleep isn't just rest. It impacts every single cell and system in your body. And in perimenopause, when your hormones are already working against you, what's happening (or not happening) while you sleep matters more than ever.In this episode:How to find your personal "value proposition" for sleepWhat REM sleep does for your emotional regulation Why the woman who's showing up to the gym three days a week and not seeing results may be missing this one critical pieceWhy perimenopause is the exact wrong time to sacrifice sleep and what's really at stake when you doThe "mom tax" and why the invisible mental load women carry makes sleep deprivation even more costlyThis is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Stefan. Consider this your wake-up call.This is part of our Endy Reclaim Your Rest Sleep Series - helping you wake up rested, focused, and ready to take on whatever the day brings. Endy is Canada’s leading online mattress brand, trusted by over 1 million sleepers. Endy’s mattresses are designed to keep you cool and supported all night long, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day. With three comfort options—plush, medium-firm, and firm—you can find the perfect fit for your body and sleep style. And the best part? Endy delivers straight to your door, so upgrading your sleep is simpler than ever.Use Code THISISPERIMENOPAUSE100 at endy.com for $100 off your new mattress.Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseSubscribe to our SubstackBecome a TIP InsiderEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Follow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookStefan Underwood BioOver the past two decades, Stefan has supported the performance goals of pro athletes, elite military operators, and leaders within many Fortune 100 organizations. His passion lies in unlocking potential within individuals, teams, and organizations to help them not only perform at their best but to do so sustainably.Stefan is currently the Senior Vice President of methodology at Exos, an evidence-based coaching company that supports the pursuit of peak performance in the moments that matter most in sport, work, and life. He leads a diverse transdisciplinary team of subject matter experts spanning the fields of neuroscience, psychology, sports science, nutrition, coaching, and data analytics. Together, they seek to develop whole-human solutions for the puzzles found within human performance.Building on his roots in exercise science, Stefan has also completed a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Links for this episodeExos on Instagramteamexos.comBreath: The New Science of a Lost ArtBabelio White Noise Sound MachineBlackout Sleep Mask Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think eating disorders only affect teenagers? Think again. What if we told you that the food rules, exercise obsessions, and body struggles you're experiencing during perimenopause might actually be disordered eating in disguise?Meet Kyla Fox, a Master's level clinician and eating disorder specialist who's spent 20 years revolutionizing treatment approaches. After her own struggle with an eating disorder, Kyla identified critical gaps in traditional recovery methods and founded an innovative treatment center that's helping thousands of women break free from patterns they didn't even realize they had.From the woman who exercises for hours after eating to the one sneaking food when her partner's away (Michelle, I see you!), Kyla reveals how disordered eating shows up in ways we never expected – especially during the hormonal chaos of midlife.In this episode, you'll discover:The difference between eating disorders and disordered eating Why perimenopause often triggers or amplifies disordered eating patternsThe three core symptoms of disordered eating: binge, purge, and restrictWhy exercise is actually the most common form of purging behaviorWe live in a culture that normalizes disordered eating. Luckily, Kyla is here to show us what true food freedom actually looks like.Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseEmail 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 newsletterFollow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookKyla Fox BioKyla Fox has established herself as a visionary and innovator, when it comes to re-framing the way Canadians think about and treat eating disorders. As someone who struggled herself with an eating disorder, Fox identified care gaps and fundamental flaws in the treatment and recovery approach. Kyla is a Master’s level clinician with degrees from both the University of Toronto in the Master’s of Social Work program as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Women’s Studies. Kyla is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She is also a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders and the National Eating Disorders Association. With such deep and varied experience in the field, Kyla is regularly called on by Canada’s top media outlets as a special commentator on a broad list of topics, including eating disorders, self-esteem, women’s health, body image, pregnancy and body confidence and more. For more information please visit www.kylafoxcentre.com.Links for this episodeInstagram: @KylaFoxRecoveryFacebook: @KylaFoxCentreTwitter: @KylaFoxCentreThe Centre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.