Episode 330: That’s Totally Normal with Emily Nagoski

Definitions

Emily Nagoski provides clarity on menopause, explaining it as the stage when a person has gone 12 consecutive months without menstruation. She shares a humorous anecdote about Jen Gunter, who almost reached menopause but had to restart the count after menstruating during international travel 1. Emily also discusses perimenopause, a transitional phase that can last several years, marked by irregular menstrual cycles 2. This phase can be confusing, as symptoms often overlap with other life stressors, making it essential to understand these changes.

   

Symptom Management

Managing menopause symptoms involves understanding and addressing common issues like hot flashes and sleep disturbances. Emily emphasizes the importance of consulting medical providers to identify typical symptoms and effective interventions 3. She shares her personal struggle with sleep disruptions, initially attributing them to pandemic stress before realizing they were perimenopausal symptoms.

I went multiple years without sleeping through the night.

--- Emily Nagoski

Emily's experience highlights the need for awareness and proactive management of menopause symptoms.

   

Medical Engagement

Engaging with healthcare providers about menopause is crucial for effective symptom management. Emily advises asking specific questions about symptom frequency and duration, as well as potential interventions 3. She recounts her own journey of navigating medical advice and finding solutions for sleep issues, which were exacerbated by long Covid 2.

Talk to a medical provider about things like sleep, which is so fundamentally important to our overall health.

--- Emily Nagoski

This proactive approach can lead to better health outcomes and a more comfortable menopausal transition.