The one where menopause education at work starts the conversation

Menopause Chicks Podcast — Episode 2 Show Notes

Shirley shares her experience speaking at a workplace menopause education event at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), where 100 people showed up 20 minutes early — and the gut punch of hearing a colleague say "I don't want anyone to have to go through what I went through."

This Week's Open: Welcome to the new Menopause Chicks Podcast format — formerly the "Ask Anything" Monday sessions, now recorded live and released weekly. Guest co-host Jen joins again.

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Q&A Topics:

1. Can you go 2 years without a period and not be in menopause? — It's possible, especially if contraception or an ablation is involved. Discussion and tips for investigating with your doctor.
2. 85 days without a period, then spotting — do I start counting over? — Yes, if contraception matters. The International Menopause Society recommends extending contraception for 1 year after menopause (reach menopause over 50) or 2 years (under 50).
3. Debilitating joint pain at 45 in perimenopause — Could be related to fluctuating estrogen. Investigate other causes (arthritis, magnesium deficiency) and start exploring hormone health support.
4. Driving anxiety and progesterone after hysterectomy (Marian) — Progesterone isn't just for uterine protection; it supports mood and sleep as well as hundreds of other responsibilities. You can benefit from progesterone even without a uterus. Script tip: ask your doctor to work with you on a trial to see how you feel.
5. Estrogen patch shortage and switching to gel (Margaret) — Canadian Menopause Society has an equivalency chart at CanadianMenopauseSociety.org.
6. Switching from oral to compounded topical progesterone (Cindy) — Sensitivity to oral progesterone is real. Compounded progesterone is an option but isn't regulated. Check ferritin levels — fatigue and depression can also signal iron deficiency.
7. Iron deficiency after hysterectomy — Heavy bleeding leads to iron deficiency. Removing the uterus stops the bleeding but doesn't fix the iron deficiency. Check ferritin levels, understand difference between "normal range" and "optimal" and discuss options for supplementing (diet or supplement) or iron infusions.

Key Resources Mentioned:

• CanadianMenopauseSociety.org (estrogen equivalency chart)
• MenopauseChicks.com (blog articles and free resources)
• MenopauseChicks.com/podcast (submit questions via voicemail or text)

Disclaimer: The Menopause Chicks Podcast is for education and information only, not a substitute for personalized medical advice.

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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.