Everything They Didn’t Tell You About Perimenopause (But Your Body Is Trying to Show)

Perimenopause isn’t menopause—it’s the messy middle. The years when your body starts whispering (sometimes shouting) that change is coming, even though you’re still having periods. In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jill Woodruff and Dr. Ade Akindipe pull back the curtain on the transition no one warned you about: perimenopause.

From mood swings, heavy periods, anxiety, and brain fog to night sweats and stubborn weight gain, your body is sending signals long before your final menstrual period. But because these symptoms mimic stress, thyroid disease, or even depression, many women are misdiagnosed or dismissed.

✨ This conversation will help you recognize what’s normal, what’s not, and how to partner with your provider to navigate this season with confidence and support.

Episode Highlights

• Why perimenopause can start as early as your late 30s (and why so many women miss it)
• The role of hormone fluctuations: falling progesterone and unpredictable estrogen
• Common symptoms: irregular cycles, anxiety, brain fog, night sweats, and midsection weight gain
• Red flags that need medical attention—heavy bleeding, persistent pelvic pain, or severe depression
• How lifestyle hormones (cortisol, insulin, thyroid, vitamin D) interact with sex hormones
• When to consider hormone therapy and why starting earlier can be both safe and effective
• Why perimenopause is more than symptoms—it’s an invitation to reclaim your power in midlife

Memorable Quotes

• “Perimenopause doesn’t send a calendar invite—it just arrives.” – Dr. Ade
• “Don’t normalize misery. There are solutions.” – Dr. Ade
• “Perimenopause is your body saying: It’s time to pay attention.” – Dr. Jill

Chapters

00:00 – What Perimenopause Really Is
 02:00 – The Confusion Stage: “Too Young for Menopause?”
 08:00 – The Body Keeps the Score: Symptoms You Can’t Ignore
 15:00 – When to Call Your Provider & Red Flags
 20:00 – Hormone Therapy Demystified
 22:00 – The Empowerment Shift: Midlife as Your Power Era
 27:00 – Final Thoughts & How to Advocate for Yourself

Meet Your Hosts

Dr. Aderonke "Ade" Akindipe, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C
A board-certified nurse practitioner and founder and medical director at Rejuvenate Health & Wellness. Dr. Ade Akindipe created The Elevated Woman Method to help women move beyond quick fixes and rediscover what it means to thrive in their bodies. With years of experience in functional medicine and lifestyle coaching, she brings a compassionate, evidence-led approach to women’s health.  Dr. Ade believes women aren’t broken—they just need the right map back to themselves.

Dr. Jillian Woodruff, MD, FACOG, NCMP
 A board-certified gynecologist and nationally certified menopause practitioner, Dr. Woodruff is the Chief Medical Officer of Modern Gynecology & Skin. She is also host of NPR-affiliated Line One on Alaska Public Media and co-founder of The Women’s WELL Foundation. Her expertise spans hormone therapy, sexual wellness, and aesthetic medicine, empowering women to lead vibrant, informed lives.

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