Dr. Mary Claire Haver

It is nature's way of spacing out children biologically.

And so no estrogen, the vulva takes a hit.

And so all her architecture changes, her lubrication changes, her pain changes, and she's having horrifically painful sex.

What are the earliest sexual changes that we can see in perimenopause that women often miss or internalize as failure?

I mean, what we've learned or what I've learned in the last, you know, three or four years and especially getting ready for the new perimenopause and writing the book is the period, the menstrual cycle changes are the last things.

You know, like stuff's happening in the brain, in your bones, you know, palpitations, skin changes well before your hormones get low enough to affect your periods.

Now it's time for the Middie Pause.

I'm Dr. Mary Claire Haver, host of the podcast Unpaused, bringing you a word from Middie Health.

Today, we're talking about perimenopause.

Perimenopause is driven by fluctuating hormone levels and can trigger dozens of symptoms, including irregular periods, breast soreness, hot flashes, moodiness, insomnia, and weight gain.

But here's the good news.

MidiHealth is dedicated to changing how perimenopause is treated with a personalized approach tailored to each woman's specific needs.

Women come to MidiHealth to address the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause they see and feel every day.

What you may not know is that perimenopause is often diagnosed by symptoms alone.

There is no perfect blood test to determine if a woman is in perimenopause due to the wildly fluctuating hormone levels.

A discussion with your doctor about your symptoms can lead to answers and possible treatment, including changes to your eating and nutrition, possible over-the-counter supplements, and potential hormone therapy.

With the right treatment, you can ease uncomfortable symptoms.

Let me add, perimenopause is a natural expected phase of life that a woman will experience if she's fortunate to live long enough.

And the more we talk about it, the less mysterious and isolating it becomes.

Progress starts with a personal plan.