The one where the menopause conversation starts in Costco

The episode kicks off with a menopause conversation in Costco and a story about a hairstylist who listened. Jen shares how conversations about her changing hair inspired her salon to create a faster-drying gel, reducing the time clients spend under a hooded dryer. It’s an example of what becomes possible when someone understands menopause and gets curious about how they can make a difference.

Shirley expands on why allies and advocates are the future of menopause care, sharing how participants in Speak Menopause are bringing their knowledge into healthcare practices, workplaces, community resources, and everyday conversations. From registered dietitians and nurses to pelvic floor physiotherapists, sexual health educators, and workplace leaders, these women are turning “I wish I’d known” into opportunities for others to learn sooner.

From there, the conversation covers a wide-ranging Q&A with members of the Menopause Chicks Community LIVE!:

• Vaginal estrogen and recurring UTIs — What if someone doesn’t want to use a vaginal treatment? Shirley explores creams, inserts, and a vaginal ring that stays in place for three months. She also discusses the oral treatment Osphena™️, distinguishing its use for vaginal dryness from the role of vaginal estrogen in preventing recurring urinary tract infections.
• Progesterone timing and sleep — Is it okay to take progesterone in the morning instead of the evening? Jen and Shirley discuss bedtime instructions, individual responses, considerations for shift workers, and why your pharmacist is a valuable resource before changing your prescription schedule. Shirley also explains why persistent sleep problems deserve their own investigative conversation.
• Bleeding while using hormone therapy — A question from a woman who is 58 and four years postmenopause prompts a discussion about reviewing her estradiol patch and compounded progesterone protocol. Shirley shares four questions to bring to your prescriber: Am I taking the right hormones for my age and stage? Am I using the right doses? Is the delivery method appropriate for me? When should I book my next review? Jen adds a fifth: Am I taking my therapy as prescribed?
• Blood pressure and persistent symptoms — A live question opens a conversation about elevated blood pressure, concerns about kidney health, and sleep disruption, brain fog, and headaches that haven’t improved. Shirley helps identify what needs further explanation from the healthcare team and how to bring those overlapping concerns into the next appointment.
• Progesterone, IUDs, and hysterectomy — The conversation explores the distinction between progesterone’s role in uterine protection and questions about its potential benefits for other symptoms. Jen shares her experience discussing progesterone with her doctor after a hysterectomy, while Shirley demonstrates how Script Tips™ can help you explain your goals, describe your lived experience, and ask about an individualized treatment trial with a follow-up plan.

Throughout the episode, the recurring theme is clear: menopause knowledge travels through relationships. Allies and advocates can help women understand their options, ask clearer questions, and arrive at health appointments better prepared. Sharing what you learn is one way to make that opportunity available to someone else.

🎙️ ASK YOUR QUESTION

Join the podcast LIVE or leave us a voicemail:
👉 MenopauseChicks.com/podcast

Join the Menopause Chicks Private Community:
👉 MenopauseChicksCommunity.com

This is where thousands of women gather to learn evidence-based content and ask questions/seek clarity to inform their health decisions.

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with three people: someone older, someone younger, and a peer. That’s how we create change.

ABOUT THE HOST

Shirley Weir is the founder of MenopauseChicks.com & its popular private community. She’s been a passionate advocate for women’s health education for 14 years. Shirley’s mission is to change the narrative around menopause, ensure everyone can speak the language of their health… so fluently…it will be impossible to be confused, or dismissed ever again!

🎙️ASK YOUR QUESTION: Join the podcast LIVE or leave us a voicemail: MenopauseChicks.com/podcast

Join the Menopause Chicks Private Community on Facebook:
👉 MenopauseCommunity.com

This is where thousands of women gather to learn evidence-based content and ask questions/seek clarity to inform their health decisions.

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with three people: someone older, someone younger, and a peer. That's how we create change.

ABOUT THE HOST

Shirley Weir is the founder of Menopause Chicks and a passionate advocate for women's health education. She's on a mission to change the narrative around menopause and empower women to become their best health advocates.