The 'Pause

Send us Fan Mail Menopause can make us feel like strangers in our own skin, and that disconnect can quietly shrink our lives. We talk with psychotherapist Dr. Stacy Kratz about the biology and culture behind the identity shift and how self-compassion helps us rebuild.  • the mirror shock of not recognizing your face or body  • how hormone shifts affect mood, energy, sleep, and motivation  • why an...

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Michigan State University researcher Dr Kristen Colbert about how perimenopause hormone fluctuations may shape the brain and mental health, and why “it’s just menopause” can feel so dismissive. We break down how daily symptom tracking and hormone testing could finally connect the dots so women can get taken seriously and supported.  • the harm of minimizing language a...

Send us Fan Mail We explore how hormone swings in perimenopause can reshape mental health, from anxiety and low mood to attention changes, and highlight new research that validates women’s lived experience. A Michigan State University study using daily saliva testing offers a path to personalized care and earlier screening. • why mental health shifts in perimenopause deserve attention • how estrog...

Send us Fan Mail We look back at how menopause went mainstream in 2025 and map what’s ahead for 2026, from the end of the estrogen black box warning to new nonhormonal options. We share practical steps to find better care, unpack testosterone access, and invite you into our community. • why menopause conversations exploded across work and daily life • lifting the estrogen black box warning and wha...

Send us Fan Mail Loved this conversation? Let’s keep it going. Join our private Facebook group, The Pause Diaries , where we dive deeper into all things perimenopause and menopause—without judgment, just real talk. If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend or colleague. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Pause Podcast —your support helps us bring more expert voices to t...

Send us Fan Mail Perimenopause affects your oral health in surprising ways, creating symptoms like dry mouth, bleeding gums, and persistent bad breath due to changing estrogen levels in your body. • Estrogen receptors exist throughout the body, including the mouth, affecting salivary glands, gum tissue, and jawbone • Decreased estrogen can cause dry mouth, bleeding gums despite good hygiene, and u...

Send us Fan Mail The FDA is considering removing the black box warning from low-dose vaginal estrogen products following a unanimous opinion from an expert advisory panel that risks have been overstated for years. • Vaginal estrogen is a local, low-dose treatment that stays in the vagina with minimal systemic absorption • The black box warning came from the 2002 Women's Health Initiative stud...

Send us Fan Mail Bioidentical hormones are simply those with the identical chemical structure to what our bodies naturally produce, though the term has become more marketing than medicine. We examine what "bioidentical" really means, compare it with traditional hormone therapy, and explain why "natural" isn't necessarily safer when it comes to managing menopause. • Bioiden...

Send us Fan Mail Sex during perimenopause changes for everyone. We dive into the often-silent topic of midlife intimacy with sex therapist Nisha McKenzie, who helps us understand why our desire shifts and what we can do about it. • Changes in libido are normal and common during perimenopause • Estrogen decline affects vaginal tissue, causing dryness, pain, and thinning • Vaginal estrogen treatment...

Send us Fan Mail Every woman's perimenopause journey has unique twists and turns, but one thing remains constant we shouldn't have to navigate it alone. This heartfelt episode brings together host Val Lego, menopause expert Nisha McKenzie, and Val's longtime friend Lauren for a candid conversation about the power of friendship during hormonal transitions. The trio dives deep into th...

Send us Fan Mail Michigan is leading a revolutionary approach to women's health through a groundbreaking menopause policy initiative championed by Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Women's Commission. Executive Director Cheryl Bergman shares how they're transforming workplace policies, healthcare access, and public education to support women through perimenopause and menopause. • Th...

Send us Fan Mail We dive deep into why standard hormone tests often miss the full picture of what's happening during perimenopause and explore comprehensive testing options that provide better answers. • Dr. Erica Armstrong with Root Functional Medicine explains why conventional blood tests only capture a moment in time, missing the hormone fluctuations of perimenopause • Standard testing ran...

Send us Fan Mail Perimenopause symptoms are often mismanaged with birth control pills instead of appropriate hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because many practitioners lack knowledge about the menopausal transition.  • Birth control pills contain synthetic hormones at doses approximately 120 times higher than HRT • Birth control is designed to prevent pregnancy and control bleeding, while HRT ad...

Send us Fan Mail Val Lego speaks with Ryan Anderson and Rebecca Horton from Miller Knoll about their pioneering work to create workplace environments that better support women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. They discuss how thoughtful office design can address symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, joint pain, and fatigue that affect women's careers. • 51% of the workforce are women...

Send us Fan Mail Remember walking into a room and forgetting why you're there? Or that moment when you can't recall the name of someone you've known for years? You're not losing your mind — you're likely experiencing one of the most common yet least discussed symptoms of perimenopause: brain fog. A staggering 60% of perimenopausal women report memory issues and difficulty...

Send us Fan Mail Hormone replacement therapy has been widely misunderstood since alarming headlines in 2002 claimed it caused increased risks of breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes based on the Women's Health Initiative study. We unpack what the study got wrong, how the data was misinterpreted, and what 20 years of reanalysis reveals about the actual safety profile of HRT. • The WHI stud...

Send us Fan Mail Discover why testosterone might be the missing piece in your menopause treatment plan and how this misunderstood "male hormone" could help restore your energy, focus, and vitality. • Women naturally have 4-5 times more testosterone than estrogen throughout their reproductive lives • Testosterone is not FDA-approved for women despite being used regularly in other countrie...

Send us Fan Mail Loved this conversation? Let’s keep it going. Join our private Facebook group, The Pause Diaries , where we dive deeper into all things perimenopause and menopause—without judgment, just real talk. If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend or colleague. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Pause Podcast —your support helps us bring more expert voices to t...

Send us Fan Mail Women going through menopause often experience intense joint pain that differs from typical pain, now recognized as Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM). • MSM includes joint pain, frozen shoulder, back pain, loss of muscle mass, decreased bone density, and arthritis • Estrogen acts as a gatekeeper for inflammation in joints, so declining levels increase pain dramatically •...

Send us Fan Mail Menopause transforms our hydration needs and digestive function, often leading to that frustrating "menobelly" bloat when hormone levels fluctuate. Understanding the connection between dehydration, electrolytes, and digestion is key to managing this common but rarely discussed symptom. • Declining estrogen levels can reduce thirst signals, making intentional hydration ne...

Send us Fan Mail Tired of keeping a towel by the bed for night sweats? Fed up with anxiety that won't quit? You're not alone, and you don't have to suffer through menopause symptoms. When Val finally reached her breaking point with perimenopause symptoms, she took the leap into hormone replacement therapy (HRT) despite decades of scary headlines about cancer risks. The result? Life-...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling overwhelmed by menopause symptoms and unsure where to turn? You're not alone. As social media fills with advertisements for menopause coaching programs (even from celebrities like Halle Berry), many women wonder: what's the difference between a menopause coach and a certified provider, and which do I need? This eye-opening conversation clarifies the crucial disti...

Send us Fan Mail Perimenopause begins much earlier than most women realize, typically around age 37, when many are focused on career growth or raising families rather than preparing for hormonal changes. • Over 400 estrogen receptors exist throughout the body, creating a wide variety of possible symptoms • Perimenopause can last 2-14 years before reaching menopause (defined as 12 months after fina...

Send us Fan Mail 37 is when Perimenopause can start knocking on your door. And it's probably the last thing you're thinking about. Don't write off those sleepless nights, anxiety-ridden days, or the need to use more post-its to remember things as stress. Those symptoms are also a sign of Perimenopause and, more importantly, the beginning of the decline in estrogen in your body. In t...