The Paula Faris Show

PERIMENOPAUSE: When The Real Change Begins


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January is our “greatest hits” month—and this conversation with Dr. Jen Ashton and Aarti Sequeira remains one of the most shared and talked-about episodes of 2025.

Perimenopause is messy, misunderstood, and wildly under-discussed—even though it can last a decade or more and affect nearly every system in the body. I’ve been going through it for 12 years…and counting! 

In this episode, we get real about what perimenopause actually looks like in real life: brain fog, sleep disruption, rage, hormone chaos, and that unsettling feeling of “I don’t feel like myself anymore.”

Dr. Jen explains why the most significant changes happen during perimenopause—not after menopause—and why women deserve better information, better research, and better care. We also explore why this season can be both destabilizing and deeply empowering. It’s not about fear. It’s about reclaiming agency in a phase of life that too often goes unexplained. 

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal?” or “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”—this conversation is for you.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more : 

  1. [0:00:57] - Changing Perceptions of Perimenopause

  2. [0:01:05] - Consistency and the Connectivity Challenge

  3. [0:06:36] - Hormonal Changes During Perimenopause

  4. [0:12:03] - Gender Equity and Research Funding

  5. [0:22:47] - Challenging Perimenopause Victim Narratives

    Listen to the entire Perimenopause Series here: 

    Ep 1 Perimenopause: The real change

    Ep 2  Perimenopause: How to prepare 

    Ep 3  Perimenopause: What no one is saying about GLP-1’s

    Ep 4  Perimenopause: Is Testosterone the game-changer women need

    Ep 5 Perimenopause: Why ages 45-50 are so risky for women and how to get help


    In this episode, we are diving into honest conversations about perimenopause, three major changes a woman goes through in her lifetime, why the changes in perimenopause feel so monumental, current research on women’s health, the pros and cons of western medicine and the American healthcare system, advocating for ourselves, and taking responsibility for our own health.


    LINKS

    Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter  

    https://www.paulafarisofficial.com/newsletter 

    Connect with Paula on Instagram 

    https://www.instagram.com/paulafaris/?hl=en 

    THE CARRY™ ALL NEWSLETTER by and for working moms 

    https://carrymedia.com/the-carry-all/ 

    My Favorite Weighted Vest

    https://amzn.to/4iMWhla 

    https://menopause.org/ 

    https://www.myalloy.com/ Use code: PAULA42103 for $25 off first order

    Meet Dr Jen

    Meet Aarti

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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    The Paula Faris ShowBy That Sounds Fun Network

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