Jun 14, 2021 - But I digress...
We’ve got author and queer activist Heather Corinna—author of the epically awesome, deeply irreverent new book above—on the podcast this week, and we’re talking about all things menopause and perimenopause. It’s very informative, and also smart, and even occasionally funny—especially for a topic so many of us loathe—so do listen in, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And hey! How about subscribing to our Patreon for all sorts of fun and exclusive content?
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Kim France
I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
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I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
Also, at the beginning of the podcast y’all talk about what you’re watching, but don’t say where you stream them. Inquiring minds….
Hi, yes!
Hacks: HBO Max
Bo Burnham, “Inside”: Netflix
Black Mirror: Netflix
and…that musician I mentioned with the super sad (but also beautiful album): Phil Elverum/Mount Eerie (and the album is “A Crow Looked At Me”)
Where can I download this book for free? I must presume the author is writing as a public service and isn’t making money on this book.
Count on the Anon comment to be a troll…
Heather’s books are available for free in libraries across the country, many of those libraries offer digital versions. While the author was in fact compensated for their labor/exhaustive research/providing a service, that labor is available to you for free at your local library. Good luck to you!
Exciting! Meant to order the book last week, really excited to read it and listen to the podcast.
Hooray, Heather Corinna! I adore her and her work since forever.
Listened to half as I was exercising. Can’t wait to finish. Even though I’m well into my dotage and long, long past all the messy stuff I still found the podcast useful!
Book ordered, even before listening, based on the truth of the title alone!
Just listened – and now I’m even more excited to read it!
I’m reading this and Jen Gunter MD’s book simultaneously. Appreciating them for their differences and shared calling-out of the Misogynistic-Meno-BS. And appreciate multiple books on the topic. This is a good thing. Signed, an almost-54-y.o. well-served by MHT. **It’s not perfect–hello, been up since 3 am–but I’m super grateful that little patch & pill o’ progesterone.
Ah, come on! Where is the disconnect between a podcast episode critiquing the capitalist discovery of perimenopause and then sponsored endorsements for a product squarely aimed at the symptoms and anxieties of perimenopausal/menopausal women??? You know what makes your hair grow? Being healthy! Having spent the past 15 years with multiple undiagnosed endocrine diseases and endometriosis, I got to do chemical menopause at 42. I spent A LOT of $ on Nutrafol and the like. And you know what really worked? A thyroidectomy. I’ve come to really regret falling for marketing to ease “women’s symptoms” when what all women and trans men need is BETTER health care, more research on “women’s diseases,” and a more informed, open discussion of women’s health. If your hair is falling out or you are experiencing the kind of “crazy middle-aged lady” symptoms, seek out medical professionals. Then go to 5 more medical providers until someone actually listens to you. Be assertive b/c women and health care providers often communicate at cross purposes. Read up on the therapies and tests (from reputable sources). In the past 6 months, 5 years after my hysterectomy, I was diagnosed with 4 endocrine diseases and thyroid cancer. No supplement cures that. Glad to see a podcast ep. on this topic. Please do about 5 more on this stuff–thyroids, women talking to doctors, “crazy middle-aged lady” symptoms, etc. I suffered for 15 years with undiagnosed stuff b/c medical professionals thought I was just a fat, sad, depressed middle aged woman. In the three months since my thyroidectomy I’ve lost 30 pounds (metabolic resetting) and I am no longer in treatment resistent depression. Please continue to use your platform to advocate on these issues. We all need more of these conversations to happen all the time.
So I haven’t listened yet, but … first of all, Sheila, I’m glad you’re doing better!!! That sounds like a rough ride you had. … … … Anyhow, maybe people wouldn’t want to share, and for good reasons – but otoh, if someone has found a really good doctor who listens, why not share their name? It sounds like it could save people a lot of time and trouble. I kinda believe in naming names, at least for positive things. … … … I do think medical research has a lot of catching up to do with women’s bodies. I will have to listen to this.
I hear you regarding medical misogyny. My old (white male) former GP refused to diagnose me with migraines because I had vertigo, nausea, and violent vomiting with aura but no pain. I ended up Ubering to his office in the midst of a migraine and puked all over his exam room. Only then, did he proscribe something to help me.
You’re my hero! Since getting into peri-menopause I’ve started getting migraines and I have no idea why there is no research into migraines and menopause (and hormones, while we’re at it). And it would be nice to be listened to when you tell your doctor. Honestly, I’d like to puke in an exam room as well, just to make a point.
I’m so glad you were able to *finally* get diagnosed, Sheila. I had aggressive thyroid cancer as a teenager, and while I didn’t have a problem getting a diagnosis (I had a visible lump in my neck so it was pretty much undeniable), none of my docs, and I mean none, gave me any meaningful information on how serious this was, what it meant for my health long-term and what kind of care I would need going forward. My nuke med guy actually told me that having thyroid cancer wasn’t a big deal and I shouldn’t “put [my] head in the sand”. It wasn’t until my 30’s, when I saw a female endocrinologist, that I finally got the full picture. The thought that you had this disease, probably for years, and NOBODY took you seriously – well, it’s not surprising but it’s absolutely infuriating. You could have died because of their misogyny. You, and all of us, deserve so much better than this.
Oh and also, the commercials help pay for the whole thing … in the comments of which, we can learn things. And it could be different things work for different people, right? I also believe – at least to some extent – in the things I read on bathroom walls … but you have to have the wall there first.
I can’t seem to sleep through the night – driving me crazy! And what makes it worse is when doctors or wellness experts carry on about the importance of sleep.
I’m more than aware! I’d love to get more sleep.
If anyone in this community has or knows someone with Interstitial Cystitis, you should be aware that there’s a strong estrogen connection. My symptoms had been in remission in my 40s and early 50s while my estrogen levels were high, but they returned about a year after I stopped menstruating. My female gynecologist was the only doc who understood the importance of estrogen and prescribed it for me. By strictly following the IC diet I have no pain or symptoms, but supplemental estrogen is also crucial to living pain free. Any questions?
No questions yet (knocking on wood …), but Mimi A., you are my hero! Who knows how many people this might end up helping?
Thanks. I’d hoped that the info would reach whoever might benefit from it.
Ugh, I’m going through perimenopause and feel Jen’s pain. The most annoying symptom has been the night sweats. I will literally wake up drenched in sweat that has soaked through the sheets five nights in a row, and I can’t do anything about it without waking up my husband. It’s the worst. While I understand Heather’s advice on asking other friends not to discuss things like body issues related to menopause, I find so much comfort talking honestly with my friends about all of the things we’re going though, even if it’s in the realm of self loathing and wallowing in it. It’s just so nice knowing you’re not alone.
Hacks is great! The actress who plays Ava is Laraine Newman’s kid.