The Pause That Rages: Real Talk About Menopause

Welcome to the No Expiration Date Podcast, the go-to spot for women 50 and over who are done whispering and ready to speak up about everything—including the phase no one preps us for: menopause.

In this raw, funny, and fire-filled episode, “The Pause That Rages,” your hosts Cindy and Ann-Marie pull back the curtain on the highs, the lows, and the hot flashes that hit like a freight train.

We’re not just talking about periods disappearing—we’re talking brain fog, mood swings, joint pain, mental health, hormone therapy, night sweats, libido dips, and how this massive life shift impacts our relationships, careers, and confidence.

🌀 What Even Is Menopause?

We start by breaking it all down:

• Perimenopause: Starts in your 40s (or earlier!) and can last years. Think: irregular periods, weird symptoms, and lots of “wait—what is happening to my body?”

• Menopause: Official when you haven’t had a period for 12 months straight. It’s not a moment—it’s a milestone.

• Post-menopause: Welcome to the rest of your life. But guess what? The symptoms don’t necessarily stop here either.

🔥 Real Symptoms, Real Stories

We get into:

• Hot Flashes: In the car, at work, mid-conversation… they don’t care.

• Sleep Struggles: Wide awake at 3 AM? You're not alone.

• Mood Swings & Anxiety: The rage is real. And so is the sadness.

• Brain Fog: Forgetting what you walked into the room for. Or a simple word like “dog.” It’s not just you.

We also unpack our personal journeys through hormone therapy (and hormone hell), including:

💉 Pellets, patches, pills, and shots
⚠️ The BRCA gene and cancer considerations
💔 How a lack of libido and emotional support can shake up a marriage
🧠 Mental health, including suicidal thoughts and the importance of not dismissing symptoms

🏋️‍♀️ What’s Helped Us Cope?

• Exercise: A lifeline. Lifting heavy and moving daily is non-negotiable.

• Nutrition: The Mediterranean diet is queen.

• Supplements: Magnesium, maca root, black cohosh (always talk to your doctor first!)

• Community & Conversation: This podcast helps keep our brains sharp, hearts full, and stigma shut down.

💥 Myth or Fact? We Busted ‘Em.

We wrapped up with a fun Myth vs. Fact game covering:

• Menopause = instant symptoms ❌

• You can’t get pregnant during perimenopause ❌

• All women go through menopause the same way ❌

• Hormone therapy is dangerous for everyone ❌

• Weight gain is inevitable ❌

• Brain fog and hair loss are real ✅

• You can still have a sex drive ✅

And we even played a “What Kind of Menopause Queen Are You?” quiz. Spoiler: We had a few Hot Flash Heroines and a Midlife Maverick in the house.

🎙️ Final Thoughts

Menopause isn’t a disease. It’s a natural, powerful (and often painful) transition that deserves more than whispered conversations and shrugged-off symptoms. We’re here to say:

💬 You’re not crazy.
💪 You’re not broken.
💖 And you’re definitely not alone.

So whether you’re sweating through a Zoom call or crying in your car, this episode is your reminder: you’re doing amazing, and we’re in this with you.

🎧 Listen Now:
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