There are a lot of misconceptions about menopause.
From the dramatized depictions we see on TV that often portray women as walking hot flashes, to the funny, relatable, and sometimes harrowing stories we hear from the women in our inner circles, menopause is a life stage we still don’t fully understand.
But since more than one million women in the United States start the transition each year, it’s important to debunk the myths around menopause. You can do this by tapping into reputable resources, like books, blogs, and podcasts from physicians, health advocates, and women who are experiencing one of these stages of menopause firsthand:
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Preparing: anytime before symptoms start, when you can do research, adopt a healthier lifestyle, and talk to your doctor about what to expect
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Perimenopause: the transitional phase leading to menopause that could start as early as your late 30s or early 40s
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Menopause: the stage where you have gone 12 months without a menstrual period
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Postmenopause: the years following your last menstrual period
Go-to resources for women in menopause and perimenopause
Although menopause is understudied and undertreated, there are more resources available today than ever before. From online communities and telehealth platforms to brick-and-mortar clinics, women are banding together to build the support systems and resources they need.
Consider this your go-to list for menopause and perimenopause resources, and share it with a woman in your life who’s ready to take charge of her health!
Books
1. Grown Woman Talk: Your Essential Companion for Healthy Living by Sharon Malone
“As healthcare systems, therapeutics, and technology evolve, her timely wisdom serves as a guiding star,” said President and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative Linda Golder Blount. Sharon Malone’s take on healthy living, aging, and approaching menopause with a greater sense of knowledge has been deemed a New York Times Bestseller, noted for its warm, conversational tone. Grown Woman Talk’s witty charm is underscored at the start of each chapter, each of which is named after a song (Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” fittingly heralding the chapter on perimenopause). What’s more, a quick glance at the book’s Amazon reviews confirms it is a “very good guide to women's health,” “very easy to read,” and “a must-read for every woman.”
2. Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause by Dr. Jessica Shepherd
Dr. Jessica Shepherd is a board-certified OB/GYN and founder of Sanctum Med + Wellness, a Dallas-based medical spa. Backed by more than 17 years of experience in the medical field, Shepherd calls Generation M her “love letter to women in perimenopause and menopause,” which is noteworthy because perimenopause is often omitted from conversations around women's health. Shepherd takes it a step further by featuring the stories of real women, including one who admits not sharing her unusual symptoms with her doctor because she thought she was too young to experience menopause. Generation M is a reminder that many women are going through the same things, even if they’re not talking about it, and serves as an essential resource for your own journey.
3. Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming, M.D., and Carol Tavris, Ph.D.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a hot topic among women in menopause. Many women debate whether the treatment—designed to replace hormones like estrogen and progesterone— is safe and effective. In Estrogen Matters, Bluming, an oncologist, and Tavris, a social psychologist, examine how HRT can alleviate menopause symptoms without increasing the risk of breast cancer. More specifically, the authors make a data-driven case for how beneficial estrogen can be in treating common and uncommon symptoms of menopause and maintaining your overall health.
Telehealth and online communities
4. Midi Health
With up to 73 percent of women seeking care through online platforms, it’s safe to say telehealth is becoming more popular. And it makes sense—companies like Midi Health offer personalized care while meeting women where they are. From creating specialized care plans that target your specific symptoms to offering virtual appointments with medical professionals, Midi is a resource you can use to fill in the gaps in your menopausal care, get a second opinion, or simply have another way to explore the full range of your options.
5. Menopause Mandate
Although connecting with people via social media, joining online communities, and even using AI as a personal sounding board have become the norm, you might still find value in getting live help from a real person. Especially when that person is a Menopause Guide trained to answer your questions and provide personalized support. In partnership with Alloy Women’s Health, the Menopause Mandate AdviceLine offers free 15-minute calls for women with questions about managing menopause symptoms, identifying useful resources, and finding the right doctors.
6. Respin Health
Respin Health is a women’s wellness platform launched by actress Halle Berry. In December 2025, Berry, a vocal supporter of women’s health initiatives, criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing the Menopause Care Equity Act. Also referred to as AB 432, the bill introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan would require insurance companies to cover menopause and perimenopause treatments and mandate doctors to seek continuing education in menopause care.
Ultimately, the bill would help advance care for menopausal women, which Berry aims to do through Respin. Through the digital-first platform, women can access prescriptions from medical professionals, engage in the online community, and sign up for one of three plans to address health needs related to menopause.
7. Winona
Winona is a telehealth company that serves women in more than 30 states throughout the nation. Women who reside outside of Winona’s service areas can access support via online chat, the Winona Women’s Community, or live Q&A sessions. Women can also use Winona as a resource for navigating menopause in the workplace; in its Corporate Wellness Case Study, Winona highlighted that 71 percent of women minimize their menopause and perimenopause symptoms to avoid affecting their work. These studies—along with Winona’s Corporate Wellness Program—help raise awareness and shift the perception of women’s health in corporate spaces.
8. Alloy Health
Alloy Women’s Health is a digital platform and prescription delivery company. Touting their products as “the widest range of science-backed, FDA-approved possibilities for menopause treatment,” Alloy offers products for skin and hair, weight, sexual health, and gut health. With a nearly 5-star rating on Trustpilot and ranked third for best companies in the specialized clinic category, Alloy has become a trusted partner for so many women seeking solutions in perimenopause and menopause care.
9. Perry
Perimenopause—the transitional phase that comes before menopause—may be marked by irregular periods, mood swings, sleep issues, and other signs, according to The Menopause Association. Although many women experience this transition in some fashion, perimenopause isn’t often discussed as frequently as menopause. That’s why it’s refreshing to find resources like Perry, an online community geared specifically toward perimenopausal women. Perry also has a podcast hosted by women’s health advocate Rachel Hughes and a health and wellness blog. What’s more, Perry is making strides to educate medical providers about perimenopause through Perry Academy, a platform for continuing education.
Subreddits
10. r/Menopause
Created in 2011, r/Menopause includes everything from vitriolic rants about the difficulties of menopause to lighthearted anecdotes about the small wins. This user-created community on Reddit chronicles the challenging physical and emotional changes menopausal women face in their very own bodies—and it’s all acceptable! With “Be kind. Be respectful. We are all in this together!” as its tagline, the Menopause subreddit will make you laugh, cry, empathize, and feel a little less alone during a time that many women find isolating.
11. r/Perimenopause
Although U.S. women begin menopause around age 51 on average, perimenopause often starts between ages 45 and 47, so you may find the Perimenopause subreddit especially helpful if you’ve entered this stage unexpectedly. With 90,000 weekly visitors, r/Perimenopause has gained a lot of traction since it was started in 2013, and serves as a place to bond, share information, review products and services, and vent about the struggles of perimenopause.
Podcasts
12. Dr. Sophia ObGyn
According to media company SiriusXM, about 60 million women in the U.S. listen to podcasts each month; if you’re one of them, you may want to tune into Dr. Sophia, ObGyn, a podcast hosted by board-certified physician Dr. Sophia Lubin. Lubin has more than 15 years of experience practicing medicine and has treated women seeking care for menopause, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, and related health needs.
13. Hello Menopause! with Stacy London
Best known as a style expert and host of TLC’s long-running makeover show What Not to Wear, Stacy London now hosts the Hello! Menopause podcast featuring “real menopause stories from real people”. Currently in its third season, Hello! Menopause includes engaging interviews with guests like physician and author Dr. Jessica Shepherd, lawyer and nonprofit leader Reshma Saijani, and women’s health policy, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf.
Influencers
14. Melani Sanders - Just being Melani
Recently crowned PEOPLE’s 2025 Creator of the Year, Melani Sanders is a force to be reckoned with! The wife, mom, and founder of the We Do Not Care Club first began sharing her perimenopause musings via social media after a partial hysterectomy triggered her symptoms. Today, Sanders has more than 2 million followers on Instagram, nearly 70,000 subscribers on YouTube, a highly anticipated book set to release in January 2026, and a loyal following of women who look to her for a real—and real funny—account of what it’s like to go through perimenopause.
15. We Do Not Care Club
Speaking of the We Do No Care Club, it truly is made up of women who do not care—especially when it comes to other people’s expectations of how to handle menopause. “I had no idea it would turn into a movement!” said Sanders in a 2025 interview with PEOPLE. Sanders started the We Do Not Care Club after making a video listing all the things she no longer cares about in the throes of perimenopause. The video went viral, with thousands of women chiming in to share the things they quit caring about, like shaving, cooking, and cleaning. In addition to heart and humor, the club represents an important message Sanders has embodied from the beginning: women should not apologize for the changes their bodies are going through, but they should prioritize their own needs as they go through them.
16. Menopause Taylor
Dr. Barbra Taylor, also known as Menopause Taylor, calls menopause “the most neglected topic on Earth”, which is why she has dedicated her career to bridging gaps in healthcare for menopausal women. Taylor stopped practicing medicine in 2001 due to severe arthritis, but continued her work educating, supporting, and advocating for women. Taylor is a well-known voice in the conversation around menopause, sharing information through YouTube videos, podcasts, webinars, and one-on-one consultations.
17. Rachel Hughes
Like many women, Rachel Hughes began creating online support spaces for menopausal women after starting to experience perimenopause herself. She started The Meno Memos in 2017, then went on to become a certified nutritional consultant, providing health and wellness coaching for midlife women. More recently, Hughes hosted Perry, a weekly podcast featuring physicians, authors, and other prominent voices in menopause. Hughes now serves as community director for Alloy Women’s Health, continuing her practice of empowering women through education and connection.
18. Dr. Mary Claire Haver
From Reddit to Instagram, women are buzzing about Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Between her highly praised book, The New Menopause, the unPaused podcast, and spots on national news networks like CNN and ABC as an expert contributor, Haver has long established herself as a thought leader in women’s health. In addition, Haver created The Galveston Diet, which is designed specifically for women in perimenopause and menopause. Simply put, you can’t talk about solid menopause resources without mentioning her name and contributions to the field.
Work and career
19. Cleo
It is always important to use your employee benefits, but it’s especially necessary when you’re trying to make sense of menopause. In 2023, Cleo—a global employer-sponsored care platform—launched a menopause support service for its members. This new offering highlights the importance of giving women useful employee benefits they can use through multiple stages of life. But it also underlines the support menopausal women need in the workplace, where women often feel pressured to conceal changes in their health for fear of losing their jobs or damaging their careers.
20. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The EEOC is a federal agency that outlines employee rights and protections. While it is not related to menopause specifically, it is an important resource for women to know. Given that perimenopause and menopause can last for 7 years, on average, there may come a time when you need to know your rights as a working woman managing the symptoms. While the EEOC does not address menopause directly, laws like Title VII and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) ban harassment or unethical treatment related to your age or sex.
If you experience severe menopause symptoms that impair your ability to work, for example, you can consult the EEOC to understand what protections you have and how you can get the accommodations you need.
Questions to ask your doctor
Wherever you find yourself in your journey through perimenopause or menopause, you shouldn’t have to do it alone. By using a combination of resources like those we’ve included in this article, you can tackle the highs and lows of this life stage with more information, greater support, and potentially more confidence to make it to the other side.
One of the greatest resources you can have is a team of physicians to support you. Here are a few pointers for which doctors to consult:
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Primary care provider (PCP): If you don’t already have one, work with your insurance provider to find a physician to serve as your main point of contact for medical needs, preventative care, and referrals.
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Obstetrician-Gynecologist (Ob/Gyn): Your Ob/Gyn provides specialized care for all aspects of reproductive health, including perimenopause and menopause. They can also give you prescriptions to treat menopause symptoms and perform wellness exams.
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Endocrinologist: Some women experience severe hormonal changes that need to be further investigated or addressed with more complex treatments. Endocrinologists specialize in treating hormone-related conditions, and may be a good addition to your care team.
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Clinical psychologist: Getting through menopause is just as much mental as it is physical. A clinical psychologist can implement different strategies and therapies to address depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and other issues that often arise during menopause.
As you round out your care team, consider consulting a Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner, who is a licensed healthcare professional who has demonstrated expertise in the field and completed credentialing requirements.
Before you meet with each healthcare provider, note your last period, current symptoms, and any medications you take. Bring questions that can help you better understand how to navigate each stage of menopause—here are a few examples:
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Are you certified in menopause care?
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How will I know I'm starting perimenopause/menopause?
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How does menopause affect my long-term health?
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Given my health history, what are my treatment options?
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What tests (hormones, thyroid panel, complete blood count, etc.) should I have done?
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Are my symptoms typical or atypical for perimenopause/menopause?
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If I need hormones, will you prescribe them?
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What supplements do you recommend?
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When should I feel concerned about my symptoms?
