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Many women begin noticing changes in their late 30s and early 40s—trouble sleeping, mood shifts, weight gain, or feeling more anxious than usual. Yet when they seek medical care, their lab tests often come back completely normal.

In this episode, Dr. Brandi Sinkfield speaks with menopause specialist Dr. Leah Millheiser about the early stages of the menopause transition and why perimenopause is often overlooked in clinical care.

Dr. Millheiser explains why hormone levels fluctuate dramatically during this phase of life, why lab testing may not always capture what’s happening in the early stages of perimenopause, and why many women feel their symptoms are treated individually rather than understood as part of a larger hormonal transition. The conversation explores common symptoms and why these changes can begin years before menopause itself.

Dr. Sinkfield also reflects on how learning more about perimenopause has changed the way she views patient care in her own clinical practice, highlighting how hormonal changes can affect metabolism, cardiovascular health, brain function, and overall well-being.

This episode is the first in a multi-episode series exploring perimenopause, menopause care, sexual wellness, and the evolving role of digital health technologies in women’s health.

Topics Discussed

• Early signs of perimenopause

• Why many women experience symptoms years before menopause

• How the Women’s Health Initiative shaped menopause care for decades

• Why hormone testing alone may not diagnose early perimenopause

• Mood changes, anxiety, and sleep disruption during the menopause transition

• Why weight gain is often the symptom that brings women to the doctor

• Emerging technologies like continuous glucose monitors in menopause research

• How to find clinicians who specialize in menopause care

Key Takeaways

Perimenopause can begin years before menopause itself. Many women experience symptoms while their menstrual cycles remain regular and lab tests appear normal.

Hormone levels fluctuate dramatically during the menopause transition. Because of this, lab tests alone may not always detect early perimenopause.

Symptoms often appear across multiple body systems. Perimenopause can affect metabolism, sleep, mood, cardiovascular health, bone health, and sexual health.

Weight gain is one of the most common reasons women seek care. Changes in metabolism during perimenopause can contribute to shifts in body composition.

Finding a menopause specialist can make a significant difference. Resources such as The Menopause Society help women locate clinicians trained in menopause care.

Guest

Dr. Leah Millhei

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

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What happens when your body forces you into menopause before you're ready?

In this episode of the Women’s Digital Health Podcast, journalist and podcast creator Golda Arthur shares her deeply personal story of navigating genetic cancer risk, surgical menopause, and the emotional fallout that followed. When her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Golda discovered she carried a rare gene mutation—RAD51C—that increased her own risk. After years of fear and hesitation, she made the decision to undergo a preventive surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Golda describes perimenopause as chaotic and fiery—but surgical menopause? That was something else entirely. Abrupt. Flat. Emotionally deadening. Her symptoms included debilitating joint pain, insomnia, and emotional numbness—symptoms that left her questioning whether she was experiencing depression for the first time.

We also talk about the decision to start hormone therapy—a path Golda didn’t take lightly, given her genetic risks. Her story offers a nuanced look at how personalized, science-informed care can be both life-changing and life-restoring. With the support of cancer researchers at the University of British Columbia, she discovered Duavee, a form of estrogen therapy that doesn’t require progesterone—an option that helped her reclaim her vitality and movement.

This episode isn’t just about hormones—it’s about health equity. Host Dr. Brandi exposes the systemic failures that leave women scrambling for answers: the underfunding of menopause research, the near-defunding of the Women’s Health Initiative, and the shockingly low venture capital investment in women’s health beyond fertility and breast cancer. We dive into why symptom trackers and apps aren’t enough—and why women, as both patients and taxpayers, deserve connected data, evidence-based options, and funding that reflects our value.

Whether you’re in perimenopause, navigating surgical menopause, or simply trying to understand your body better—this conversation is for you.

Links & Resources:

• Check out Golda Arthur’s Podcast “Overlooked”: https://overlookedpod.com/
• Join the Women’s Digital Health WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GMpuGEygaWS4gcdli0f5vR
• Wanna know more about Perimenopause and Digital Health?: Episode 23: Understanding Perimenopause: Hormone Therapy, Symptom Tracking, and the Power of FemTech
• Download the Hormone Harmony ebook: http

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Send us a text

This season, we're discussing perimenopause and how technology intersects with this often overlooked phase of life.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Heidi Davis. She's the CEO and co-founder of Peri, a groundbreaking wearable device designed to help women track their symptoms and gain objective data to discuss with healthcare providers. With a global perspective and background in nutrition and molecular medicine, Heidi is at the forefront of a movement that’s changing the narrative around women’s health.

Layered over our conversation, you'll also hear insights from Dr. Lareessa Ferdinand, a board-certified ob-gyn and perimenopause expert.

This episode is a blend of technology, clinical expertise, and lived experiences, all aimed at empowering women to understand their bodies better. As a physician, I find these discussions not only informative but also essential for my growth as a healthcare provider.

Topics include:

• How perimenopause manifests differently for each woman, influenced by factors like race, ethnicity, and personal health history.
• The role of technology in providing real-time feedback rather than relying on memory or guesswork.
• Examples of personal stories and collective action in driving change, illustrating how women sharing their experiences can lead to systemic changes in healthcare.
• The importance of data that reflects the unique experiences of women, facilitating informed conversations with healthcare providers, and moving away from outdated guidelines and assumptions.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Check out my new e-book, Hormone Harmony, which is all about empowering women during the perimenopausal journey
• Get a copy of my Digital Health Essentials for Perimenopause
• Do you think that AI could help you get better care or not? Join the Women's Digital Health WhatsApp chat and let me know what's on your mind
• Visit Menopause Mandate
• Visit Peri
• Visit Dr. LaReesa
• Sign up for the Women's Digital Health Newsletter

Subscribe to the Women's Digital Health Podcast wherever you're listening right now, and discover more about the intersection of technology, mental health, and personal development. And please share the podcast with anyone from your

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

The personal views expressed by guests on Women's Digital Health are their own. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement from Dr. Brandi, Women's Digital Health, or associated organizations.

Visit Women's Digital Health and subscribe to our newsletter.

Connect with Women's Digital Health on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.