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Let's Talk About It
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About
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Let's Talk About It
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About
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Let’s Talk About It

Symptom Management
Self-Advocacy
Understanding Symptoms
Understanding Perimenopause & Menopause
Mental Health
Diet and Lifestyle
Featured
Menopause Symptoms Beyond Hot Flashes: Muscle Loss, Frozen Shoulder, and Digestive Issues
Menopause Symptoms Beyond Hot Flashes: Muscle Loss, Frozen Shoulder, and Digestive Issues

Over 80% of women experience menopause symptoms, with vasomotor issues like hot flashes, night sweats, and palpitations being the most common. However, menopause can impact various organ systems in unexpected ways. 

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Unveiling the Unexpected: Lesser Known Menopause Symptoms
Unveiling the Unexpected: Lesser Known Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is often associated with well-known vasomotor symptoms (VMS) like hot flashes and night sweats, but it encompasses a much wider range of issues.

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What You Should Know About Nonhormonal VMS Treatments
What You Should Know About Nonhormonal VMS Treatments

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), commonly known as hot flashes and night sweats, are the most frequent symptoms experienced during the menopause transition.

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Menopause and the Mind: Understanding Cognitive Changes and Management Strategies
Menopause and the Mind: Understanding Cognitive Changes and Management Strategies

When we think of menopause symptoms, hot flashes and night sweats often dominate the conversation. Yet, the impact on brain health during this transition is equally crucial.

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Having Symptoms of Perimenopause or Menopause? Why You Don’t Have to Suffer.
Having Symptoms of Perimenopause or Menopause? Why You Don’t Have to Suffer.

“For many years, women were just told it’s part of aging. Deal with it. And it was sort of a shroud of secrecy, what happens in perimenopause and menopause.” Menopause specialist, Patricia Handler from Northwestern Medicine, reviews common symptoms and explains why women don’t have to suffer in silence.

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Advice for Improving Sleep During the Menopause Transition
Advice for Improving Sleep During the Menopause Transition

A good night’s sleep can have a big impact on your overall health, but can feel elusive during the menopause transition. Dr. Nishath Ali from the Menopause Center at the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women shares tips for improving sleep during perimenopause and menopause.

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Let’s Talk About It | Breaking the Stigma Around Perimenopause and Menopause
Let’s Talk About It | Breaking the Stigma Around Perimenopause and Menopause

A door has been opened in recent years surrounding the availability of information and discussion of menopause in the media and beyond. “I think that gives us a language and a permission to start having conversations with our friends, our family, our employers, our moms, about what's happening.” Dr. Karen Horst shares her perspective on the value of having open dialogue about menopause, including in the work place.

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Seeking Menopause Care? Start With These Steps.
Seeking Menopause Care? Start With These Steps.

"Women must advocate for themselves…if you want to find help, it’s out there for you.” Essential advice for seeking menopause and #perimenopause care from Patricia Handler from Northwestern Medicine.

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Managing Heart Health During The Menopause Transition
Managing Heart Health During The Menopause Transition

As women approach menopause, the ovaries gradually produce less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, impacting various aspects of their lives. Unfortunately, heart health often takes a backseat in discussions about these changes.

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Advances in Research | How Does Menopause Affect the Brain?
Advances in Research | How Does Menopause Affect the Brain?

What effect does the menopause transition have on the brain? Dr. Karen Horst, a reproductive psychiatrist from the Menopause Center at the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, notes groundbreaking studies exploring the brain's function during perimenopause and menopause.

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Managing Sexual Changes During Perimenopause and Menopause
Managing Sexual Changes During Perimenopause and Menopause

Shifting hormones during the menopause transition can reshape your sex life. But, a fulfilling sexual journey is still yours to discover if you can understand the changes, embrace new possibilities, and navigate this chapter with practical tips and open communication with your partner and provider.

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What’s the Difference Between Perimenopause and Menopause?
What’s the Difference Between Perimenopause and Menopause?

Menopause marks the day when an entire year has passed since your last menstrual cycle. However, the journey toward menopause is an extensive process spanning several years. In fact, it's a transition that typically lasts around a decade.⁠

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How Can Diet and Lifestyle Changes Improve Mental Health During the Menopause Transition?
How Can Diet and Lifestyle Changes Improve Mental Health During the Menopause Transition?

What can YOU do to help improve symptoms like anxiety and depression during this phase of life? Menopause specialist and reproductive psychiatrist, Dr. Karen Horst, shares simple tips for balancing common mental health symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, and improving brain health.

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Could Antidepressants Help Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms?
Could Antidepressants Help Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms?

Why would an antidepressant be prescribed for hot flashes? Dr. Nishath Ali, a menopause specialist from the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, explains how SSRIs are used in menopause care and emphasizes the importance of collaborative care among doctors.

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What’s Your Menopause Story? Here’s Mine.
What’s Your Menopause Story? Here’s Mine.

Don’t Put Me On Pause (DPOP) was founded, in part, due to our own personal search for perimenopause and menopause information, where we discovered a gap in credible information online. Based on what I’ve learned through my work at DPOP and beyond, I’d like to share my personal story.

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How Perimenopause and Menopause Affect Skin and Hair Health: Tips for Management
How Perimenopause and Menopause Affect Skin and Hair Health: Tips for Management

Common symptoms during perimenopause and menopause include hot flashes and night sweats, but skin and hair changes can also occur during this time. According to research, about half of all women experience some degree of menopause-related hair loss or thinning, and up to 64% of women who visit menopause clinics report skin problems.

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 Tools for Managing Diet and Lifestyle During the Menopause Transition
Tools for Managing Diet and Lifestyle During the Menopause Transition

We virtually “sat down” with dietician Nigel Denby from Harley Street at Home Menopause to hear his inspiring take on the positive impact of a healthy lifestyle during the menopause transition.

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Advice for Finding a Menopause Treatment That Works for You
Advice for Finding a Menopause Treatment That Works for You

“We sit down, and my job is to educate them, let them know that what they’re feeling is normal, that they are not broken.” Patricia Handler from Northwestern Medicine explains shared-decision making and important considerations when treating symptoms.

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Menopause Mood Swings? When To Seek Professional Care
Menopause Mood Swings? When To Seek Professional Care

Could your mood swings be a symptom of the menopause transition? Dr. Karen Horst from the Menopause Center at the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women explains potential causes of mood-related issues and when it may be time to seek a professional.

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Brain Fog | Are Cognitive Issues a Perimenopause Symptom?
Brain Fog | Are Cognitive Issues a Perimenopause Symptom?

“Brain fog, forgetfulness, not being able to speak as spontaneously. There are very commonly reported symptoms in perimenopause.” Menopause expert, Dr. Nishath Ali from the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, talks about why theses cognitive issues may occur and shares advice that may help.

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Changing the Conversation: Why Women Should Be Talking About Menopause
Changing the Conversation: Why Women Should Be Talking About Menopause

It feels like we’re finally ready to have a conversation about menopause. Menopause expert, Patricia Handler from Northwestern Medicine reminds us why we should keep the conversation going.

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Menopause Stage At-Home Test: Pros and Cons
Menopause Stage At-Home Test: Pros and Cons

Menopause symptoms can be confusing and frustrating, sometimes even overlapping with symptoms of other conditions. A new over-the-counter menopause stage indicator can help estimate the menopause stage. But what are the pros and cons?

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What Are Bioidentical Hormones?
What Are Bioidentical Hormones?

“There are certain estrogens that are naturally occurring that are produced in our bodies by our ovaries. And those are estrone, estradiol, estriol, estetrol.” Menopause expert, Dr. Nishath Ali, defines bioidentical hormones.

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Expert Advice | Supplements for Managing Menopause Symptoms
Expert Advice | Supplements for Managing Menopause Symptoms

There is no shortage of online claims suggesting supplements can treat the symptoms of the menopause transition. But is there evidence to support their use? Dr. Karen Horst from the Menopause Center at the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women shares expert advice.

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Can Nutrients and Food Help With Menopause Symptoms?
Can Nutrients and Food Help With Menopause Symptoms?

As a dietitian and perimenopausal woman, I find myself scrutinizing my food choices more closely than ever before. Diet significantly influences the experience of menopause and overall well-being. Let’s explore particular foods and nutrients to support us through the menopausal transition.

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How Can You Cope With Formication (Itching) During Perimenopause?
How Can You Cope With Formication (Itching) During Perimenopause?

Some of our audience has mentioned the itching or tingling sensation on the skin (known as formication) associated with perimenopause and menopause. So, we asked an expert for advice. Dr. Nishath Ali from the Menopause Center at the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women talked to us about the skin issues associated with hormonal changes.

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Managing Mental Health Issues During the Menopause Transition
Managing Mental Health Issues During the Menopause Transition

From mood swings to depression, mental health issues can be caused or exasperated by menopause and perimenopause. Dr. Karen Horst from the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women joined us to explain common struggles women face during this transition and share her expert advice for coping.

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How to Find a Menopause Specialist
How to Find a Menopause Specialist

Is your doctor dismissing your concerns or uncomfortable talking about menopause? It may be time to change providers. Certified Menopause Practitioner Patricia Handler from Northwestern Medicine shares advice for finding a menopause specialist.

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What You Should Know About Sleep Problems During the Menopause Transition
What You Should Know About Sleep Problems During the Menopause Transition

Sleep. It’s important for our health, but many of us don’t get enough of it. According to experts, a minimum of seven hours of uninterrupted sleep a night is recommended. If you’re like me, you may fall asleep readily but have trouble staying asleep….

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Who Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Right For?
Who Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Right For?

Regulating hormones during the menopause transition can be tricky (to say the least) and the decision to go on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a personal one. Dr. Nishath Ali from the Menopause Center at the Texas Children’s Hospital Pavilion for Women shares expert advice when considering HRT.

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