In Part 2 of their conversation with Julie Perry — functional medicine nurse practitioner — Brooke Benevento and Danielle Griffiths dive into perimenopause, menopause, and what women can actually do about it.

Julie breaks down the timeline of perimenopause (it can start as early as 35), why your hormones feel like a roller coaster, and what's really behind the night sweats, brain fog, weight gain, and 3 AM wake-ups. The hosts get real about frozen shoulder, pelvic floor issues, and the moment you realize your mom wasn't being dramatic after all.

They also tackle the controversial history of hormone replacement therapy — from the flawed 2001 Women's Health Initiative study to the modern push for better care — and why functional medicine is changing the game for women who've been told "you're fine" by their doctors. Plus, Brooke shares why she sees this stage of life not as a crisis, but as a powerful inner awakening.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• When perimenopause can start and why you don't need to lose your period to be in it
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy and the study that scared a generation of women
• Why cortisol spikes at 3 AM and what that means for your sleep, weight, and stress
• Frozen shoulder, gluteal tendinopathy, and the musculoskeletal side of menopause
• What magnesium can (and can't) do — and which types actually help with sleep
• Why strength training matters more than cardio in your 40s and 50s
• The role of testosterone in women's health — and why there's no FDA-approved product for women
• Julie's top 5 things every woman should do during this transition

Resources mentioned:

• Dr. Mary Claire Haver — The New Menopause
• Dr. Kelly Casperson — women's sexual health advocate
• International Menopause Society (founded 1978)
• Magnesium glycinate and L-threonate for sleep
• Vaginal estradiol for urogenital symptoms
• Pelvic floor therapy

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @the.missing.peace.pod
• TikTok: @the.missing.peace8
• Email: [email protected]

Have a topic you want us to cover? Want to be a guest? Reach out — we'd love to hear from you!

If you missed Part 1, go back and listen first — we covered the four phases of the menstrual cycle. Subscribe so you never miss an episode!