Dr. Mary Claire Haver

Perimenopause is not early menopause.

It is its own distinct biological phase and deserves its own episode.

Perimenopause is about a seven to 10 year transition before periods stop.

This is not a gentle decline.

Hormones fluctuate wildly.

This is when many women first experience anxiety, brain fog, sleep disruption, weight changes, mood shifts, joint pain, loss of resilience, and that unsettling feeling of, I don't feel like myself anymore, long before anyone says the word menopause.

Perimenopause often starts quietly.

It shows up in the brain first, then the body, then everywhere else.

Most women are never taught to recognize it and are told nothing is wrong.

If you've thought, why didn't anyone warn me?

This episode is for you.

I'm Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and certified menopause practitioner.

I'm also an adjunct professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Welcome to Unpaused, the podcast where we cut through the silence and talk about what it really takes for women to thrive in the second half of life.

The views and opinions expressed on Unpaused are those of the talent and guests alone and are provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.

No part of this podcast or any related materials are intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

I'm 44 and my periods are all over the place.

My doctor says I'm too young for menopause.

What is actually happening to my body?

I would guess that it is actually perimenopause and since the theme of today's masterclass is