Start with the lived experience, not the label. We sit down with gender-affirming menopause educator and advocate Lasara Firefox Allen to reframe menopause as a human transition that deserves respect, nuance, and choices. From the first hot flash to postmenopausal clarity, we map the terrain for trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people who are too often erased by narrow clinical language and outdated protocols.

Lasara shares how dysphoria and euphoria can shape the menopause arc, why “hormones have no gender,” and how surgical or chemical menopause intersects with identity and safety. We break down what affirming care looks like in real clinics: pronouns honored, intake forms that fit, and treatment menus that don’t force people into boxes. You’ll hear the tough realities—erratic bleeding for transmasculine folks in unsafe environments, GSM that worsens on testosterone without local estrogen, and the data on late ADHD and autism diagnoses—paired with clear, actionable guidance.

We dive into hormone strategy with a practical lens, exploring when high-dose testosterone, physiologic-dose estradiol, and micronized progesterone make sense, and why prior side effects with birth control don’t predict menopausal HRT outcomes. We cover workplace disclosure, accommodations that reduce risk, and the hidden burden of eating disorders in the trans community. Access matters, so we point to resources you can use now, including Planned Parenthood and FOLX telehealth, plus training pathways for providers who want to deliver competent, compassionate care.

This conversation is about more than symptoms; it’s about agency. Menopause can surface grief—about fertility, identity, and change—while opening real space for post-traumatic growth. If you’re seeking care that fits who you are, or you’re a clinician ready to do better, you’ll leave with language, tools, and a roadmap. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help more people find affirming menopause care.

Lasara Firefox Allen (they/them/theirs / Mx.) is a gender-affirming menopause educator, coach, writer, and advocate committed to uplifting genderqueer, trans, and queer-bodied folks navigating perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. With a foundation in social work and lived experience in midlife transition, Lasara centers marginalized voices and reclaims menopause beyond binary narratives.

Website: https://www.genderqueermenopause.com/

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Menopause doesn’t clock out when we clock in—and ignoring that truth is costing organizations billions while pushing experienced talent to the margins. We sit down with Rachel Hughes of Alloy Women’s Health to unpack how symptoms like brain fog, sleep disruption, and hot flashes intersect with deadlines, shifts, and team dynamics. Through relatable stories and clear data, we map the ripple effects of untreated menopause—from presenteeism to turnover—and show why treating it as a workplace issue is both a moral imperative and a competitive advantage.

We break the cycle of silence with a practical playbook leaders can use right away. Think health transition policies, manager training that encourages empathy over awkwardness, flexible scheduling for heavy symptom phases, and small environmental tweaks that bring real relief. We also make the case for pairing culture change with clinical access. Many women are excellent candidates for menopause hormone therapy, yet uptake remains low due to misinformation and barriers to care. When evidence-based treatment meets psychologically safe workplaces, confidence returns and careers stay on track.

You’ll learn how to translate culture into metrics by listening first: run baseline surveys, track absenteeism and retention, and refine programming based on what employees actually need. We share low- and no-cost steps for organizations without big budgets, plus resources for individuals ready to seek help. Along the way, we highlight the role men can play as allies and managers, and why leadership is more about tone than title. The result is a roadmap that turns intention into implementation—and proves that when people feel seen as whole humans, performance and loyalty rise together.

If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more teams replace stigma with support and turn midlife into a season of strength.

Website: www.myalloy.com

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Menopause isn’t experienced equally—and the differences are too big to ignore. We sit down with Dr. Kudzai Dombo, OB-GYN and Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Alloy Health, to explore why Black women often face earlier menopause, longer and more severe symptoms, and far less access to effective treatment. Drawing on the SWAN study’s decades of data, we connect dots between evidence, everyday experiences, and the systems that shape both.

Dr. Dombo shares her own perimenopause story—misdiagnosis, expense, and relief once hormones were recognized as the driver—and uses it to illuminate the barriers many women meet: clinician bias, gaps in menopause training, insurance hurdles, and historic medical mistrust. We talk through the shocking 0.5% hormone therapy usage among Black women, why that number reflects more than preference, and how to navigate choices from bioidentical hormones to nonhormonal options. The message is clear: treatment should be personalized, iterative, and explained in simple terms that empower informed consent.

We also zoom out to where health meets work. Symptoms can derail sleep, focus, memory, and confidence—undercutting performance, promotions, and pay. We outline practical steps employers can take now: flexible scheduling for sleep disruption, breathable uniforms, localized temperature control, paid time for medical care, and benefits that cover evidence-based menopause treatment with follow-up. Finally, we highlight the power of community support groups that replace isolation with knowledge, self-advocacy, and a sense of “not just me.”

Don’t normalize suffering. If your care stalls, bring the latest guidelines, ask for options, or change providers. If this conversation resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find evidence-based, equitable menopause care.

Dr. Kudzai Dombo is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, and currently serves as the Director of Advocacy and Outreach and Prescribing Physician at Alloy.She combines deep clinical experience with a commitment to health equity, focusing especially on the midlife health of Black women.

Website: www.myalloy.com

MiDOViA LINKS:

Website: https://www.midovia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidovia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midovia
Email Us: info@midovia.com

MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.