My Story, Our Story: Navigating Menopause Together

To all women in your 50s and 60s, this is about you!

My Story: Lost in Perimenopause

I’m 58 years old, and I spent more than a decade suffering through symptoms I didn’t even realize were perimenopause. I was told it was “normal” to lose hair, gain 10 pounds overnight (or at least that’s what it felt like!), have sleepless nights, lose my sex drive, lose a tooth, and feel like I had lost myself, my identity, my brain, everything.

Some symptoms would come and go, but the overall feeling was: Is this it? The road to… Well, let’s just say it didn’t feel like the yellow brick one.

I exercised, I ate well, and yes, I had that occasional slice of cake; but then I’d find myself asking, “Did I really just gain three pounds from one piece of cake?”

Finding Answers for Menopause

Finally, I found a doctor who could help me. And when I did, the skies opened up. For the first time in years, I felt like myself again. But I also realized something: I wasn’t alone. So many women like me were suffering in silence, just trying to power through without any real answers.

I started asking questions. And the more I asked, the more I realized how much information was out there that I had never been taught or told. All this time, I had blamed myself for not exercising enough, for not eating perfectly, for somehow not taking better care of myself. But it wasn’t my fault — and I learned that what I was experiencing was real. What so many of us are experiencing is real. We just haven’t been given the information, the tools, or the language to understand it.

Questions Women Often Ask

• How long does perimenopause last?
  For many women, symptoms can last 4–10 years, but everyone’s journey is different.
• When do I move from perimenopause to menopause?
  Menopause is officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. After that, you are in a menopausal state until you leave this earth.
• Is it true that women in menopause can lose teeth?
  Yes, declining estrogen can affect oral health and bone density.
• Why do I wake up at 3 a.m. every night?
  Hormonal fluctuations can disrupt sleep cycles, and cortisol spikes may wake you.
• How many menopause symptoms are there?
  More than 100 symptoms of menopause are documented, ranging from hot flashes to anxiety to itchy skin and more.
• Is it true that perimenopause and menopause aren’t part of the medical school curriculum?
  Unfortunately, yes. In most programs, menopause receives only a few hours of teaching, if any.
• What happens when your hormones fluctuate?
  Estrogen and progesterone shifts affect nearly every system in your body — your brain, bones, skin, metabolism, mood, and more.

Menopause Isn’t the Same for Every Woman

Menopause is not one-size-fits-all. Race, ethnicity, culture, and access to healthcare all influence how and when we experience it.

• Black women often enter menopause earlier than white women and may experience hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms that last much longer.
• Latina women may also reach menopause sooner than white women and report more persistent symptoms like vaginal dryness.
• Asian women typically report fewer hot flashes but more musculoskeletal pain, joint discomfort, and sleep disturbances.
• Socioeconomic stress and lack of access to healthcare can make menopause symptoms worse, extend their duration, or delay treatment.

These differences highlight why women need tailored care and real answers — not contradictory information from late-night Google searches.

Why I Created the National Menopause Show – Oct. 4-5 in Anaheim, CA

I’m not a menopause expert, but I wanted to bring the experts together so all women can get the facts, solutions, and care they deserve. With healthcare providers who truly understand perimenopause and menopause, the National Menopause Show bridges the gap between the medical community and women like us.

This is a place for real information, real education, and real solutions, along with products and services that can truly help us feel better. It’s all about pursuing health, gaining knowledge, aging with power, and creating a path forward for longevity.

We’ll cover the topics women ask about most:

• Menopause 101 — what’s really happening in your body
• Sex & intimacy — how to reconnect with your body and relationships
• Skin health & aging well
• Sleep & energy — and why you wake up at 3 a.m. every night
• Bone & heart health
• Mental health & brain fog
• Menopause for cancer survivors
• Hair loss & hormonal changes
• HRT and nonhormonal options
• GLP-1s, metabolism, and thyroid health
• Exercise & movement for every stage of change
• How to talk to your doctor and how to advocate for yourself at work

Trusted Experts, Real Solutions

The National Menopause Show — planned for October 4 & 5 at Anaheim Convention Center — isn’t just an event. With trusted healthcare professionals sharing real information that’s practical and useful, it’s a path forward with a trusted community of women from all backgrounds who want to learn, share, and take charge of this next stage of life. You can register online at www.nationalmenopauseshow.com, and be sure to use the discount code babyboomster15.

Remember: Menopause isn’t the end of your story; it’s simply the start of a new chapter.