Perimenopause: Why Didn't Anyone Tell Us?

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign. [00:00:06] Speaker B: At 3564. Today's guest is Anna Snead. She is the co founder of the Agenda period and is here to spill on all of the things that happen during perimenopause and menopause and the technology that her and her business partner have developed to support women globally to better understand their cycles. She has actually convinced me of things that I did not believe before this episode. In particular, the importance of sharing your cycle with your romantic partner. And she also talks about something really unique that we're seeing and it's called the Menno divorce. So although divorce rates are at the lowest they they have been in some time, the divorce rate amongst women 50 and over is climbing. Interestingly, that often coincides with a period that women are experiencing perimenopause or menopause. Needless to say, this information is so critical to being a woman and really making the most of who you are during this time and embracing it, understanding it, and just feeling like, hey, this is not the end. This is just the beginning of my new life purpose. Welcome to the show, Anna. It is so good to have you here. [00:01:43] Speaker A: Oh my gosh. I love that I'm here. [00:01:46] Speaker B: I do too. I do too. So Anna, how old are you? [00:01:50] Speaker A: I am 46. I am 40, fully middle aged. [00:01:55] Speaker B: Oh my gosh. You know, that's exactly how old I am too. [00:01:59] Speaker A: Hey. [00:02:00] Speaker B: Yeah, I think Both born in 79. It was a good year we were brought into this world. Oh my gosh. And we're those weird hanger on ers. We're not millennials, but we are Gen Xers. But there's a couple of vibes that we get from the millennial age. Right. [00:02:18] Speaker A: We've got youthful vibes, but we've got like all the accountability and responsibility and yeah. All the time Internet that we had to figure out life and yeah, yeah. [00:02:29] Speaker B: I don't even know. Our kids will never know that. I don't know if that's good or bad or everything in between. But I, I came across you and your co founder Alex in the news and you are talking about something that I have never seen mentioned and it is called Menno pause. [00:02:51] Speaker A: No. [00:02:52] Speaker B: Perimenopause. No. Manopause. No. Those are all the things that we're hearing pretty regularly. What are you talking about, Anna? [00:03:03] Speaker A: Oh my gosh. Minnow divorce. Have you heard of this? [00:03:06] Speaker B: No. And it was the first time that I had heard this phrase and it caught my attention like, like full on, stop. Like what is this about? So what is this? And how did you even discover what it was? [00:03:23] Speaker A: Well, I mean, kind of by accident. When I became a life coach, I was a high school teacher for, like, 16 years. I became a life coach, and my very first client was like, I need you to coach me on leaving my husband. And I was like, oh, wow. Okay. Okay. All right. Yes. So I set up a plan, and I had this whole idea in my mind on the direction we were going to go, and. And our first meeting was, like, day 14 of her cycle. I just got into this habit of asking women, what day are you on your cycle? She was like, day 14. And I was like, okay, so tell me what's happening at home? And she's like, well, actually, we went on a date last night. And I was like, oh, so are we still. She's like, I think we. I still need to leave him. But the date was great. And I was like, okay. So two meetings. We met every week. So two weeks go by, and she is calling the divorce attorney. She is ready to leave. She cannot believe she spent this much time with this man. And she's like, around day 24, day 26. And I was like, okay, this is late luteal phase. She was ovulating, and date night was great. Now she's luteal and she wants to leave him. We go through my whole system. Another month goes by, and day 14, date night, canceling lawyer meetings. Day 24, she's ready to leave him again. I see this after three cycles. And I was like, okay, so do you notice that you hate your husband when you're luteal and you love him when you're ovulating? I think we need to build some boundaries the other three weeks of the month and see how you feel when you're luteal. Give him your expectations when you're cute and fun and bubbly and you love him and see if he delivers. And they, three years ago, built their dream home on, like, five acres of land, and they have been living happily ever after. This was like, nine years ago? Yes. Wow. Yes. And so she was perimenopausal. And we get to this stage, if you think of the week before your period, how irritable you are, how everything gets on your nerves, like, why are you breathing? Like, how come I can hear you breathe? And why is your sock still in the middle of the floor? Like all of those things? Perimenopause is kind of a perpetual luteal phase. You get the clarity that you normally have that week before your period about your entire life but it's like that most of the time. And so women, about 75% of divorces are initiated by women during perimenopause. Because, yes, we get. Our brain gets this certain level of clarity that it didn't have before and we're just finally like, I'm done with this. I've put up with this for too long and I'm done. And so divorces are happening if number one, women aren't noticing this hormonal shift and number two, if their partners aren't rising to the challenge. [00:06:23] Speaker B: Oh my gosh, that's. That's so interesting. So the data is showing that most women are initiating divorces, and more than ever those divorces are being initiated by those over 50 in perimenopause. [00:06:40] Speaker A: It's madness, right? Because if you think about, if we think about our lives, like once we start our periods and in our 20s and 30s, our main goal is to like, look cute, get a mate, make a baby, connect with people. And we're very pro social. The hormones coursing through our body are very pro social because we need to perpetuate the species perimenopause. We start seeing a downtick in our estrogen and progesterone, which are our pro social hormones, and we become pro self. We're more nurturing towards ourself. We care more about our own comfort and kind of disseminating our wisdom and our knowledge than we do about if our boobs are saggy and if we've got crow's feet. Like, we're not caring about that anymore because our job of making babies is just about over. So. So it's like five o' clock on a Friday for us. We're like, no, I'm not doing any more of that. Get someone else to do it. I do not care. Yeah. [00:07:40] Speaker B: You know, this is so Anna. I have never heard of somebody describe perimenopause in these terms. I always hear sweaty. I always hear brain fog, waking up in the middle of the night, weight gain, you know, everything being negative, negative, negative. And you said two things that were really interesting. You said clarity. This time can bring clarity. What do you mean by that? Tell I want to dig in there because that's really interesting. [00:08:15] Speaker A: I love, I love that you pulled that out because I've got full body chills. Because we, we do. We see this PMS time or this luteal phase as we're just super bitchy. Can I say that? [00:08:27] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. [00:08:28] Speaker A: Okay. We're super bitchy or hard to get along with, but no, if you really think about it, you're seeing things very clearly. You're not seeing them from a lens of people pleasing. And I need these people to gravitate towards me. You're thinking, I have a need and it's not being met. And looking at your. Your perimenopausal timeframe as that is so empowering. Like, when we think about all those symptoms you just listed, they suck and they. It's more of the esthetic of a woman that we are harping on. Like, we don't want chin hairs and we don't want saggy boobs and we don't want body fat and this back fat behind our. Like, we don't want that because it's not cute. But we're not thinking about what's happening with our brain because the brain. Body connection is powerful. And especially with, with women and menstruators, if you've got estrogen and progesterone, it's affecting how your brain works. And so things that you just, you used to love to do, you just don't want to do anymore. And there's a crisis of identity. I know. I went through it. I'm like, who am I if I'm not the warm, bubbly person doing the meal train when so and so had a root canal? And I'm like, I'm, you know, I'm that person. And now I don't want to do any of that anymore. Like, oh, my gosh. [00:09:52] Speaker B: I, like, I don't even know. You just said. Said things that could have come right out of my mouth. Me too. And I have the easiest time now. Well, I'm getting better. I'll say saying, no. Not doing things I don't want to, not people pleasing. And that's sort of liberating for people like you and I who have lived like that for so long. So that's. That's so interesting though, that the horn. I've never heard of the hormones being related to extroversion and introversion. And I have found myself becoming more of an introvert. And no one in my social circle or family would tell you I'm an introvert. But now more than ever, I like spending time by myself. I like the peace and quiet. I don't need to recharge with others. And I never knew what that was coming from. But you know what? It could very well be the change in hormones and obviously the midlife just rolling in with its wisdom. But very interesting, Anna. Very interesting. [00:10:55] Speaker A: And imagine that from your partner's perspective. If Your partner is used to you being party girl, going out, taking care of people, saying yes to everything, letting things roll off your back. And now all of a sudden you're not taking the kids to the trampoline park and you're not, you know, showing up for auntie so and so's whatever, like you don't want to do that anymore. So they're wondering what happened to my partner, what happened to my wife, like, and that's when they trade, trade in for a younger, a younger model who wants to do all of those things. And she is eventually going to go through her own pro self phase as well. And so having a partner that truly understands this is a hormonal shift. This is not a personality shift. This is literally what my body is telling me is important. And there's like three or four other species that have a menopause. So that, yes, like that, like one's like a whale. It's like nobody else has a menopause besides us. And like three or four other species. I probably should have looked that up before I said that out loud. But if you think about that, like I heard that statistic a year or so ago and I said, wait a minute. They always talk about how men get better with age. You know, they're, they just look better the older that they get and we turn into dried up old crazy cat ladies or whatever. But our, our childbearing age has a start and a stop time. They have a start and they have, they have to keep making babies until they die. We don't like our job is over at a specific time. We house and create and, and grow them, but they have to look cute because they have to attract and continue to perpetuate the species. We don't have to do that anymore. And so hearing like my job is coming to an end, not that I'm having a bunch of kids, but that biology, like there's a clock within my body that says you have 40, 50 more years of importance still on this planet. Other species don't. There's an octopus right now that's hovering over her eggs and as soon as she, her eggs hatch, she dies. Like that is her one. Yeah, it's in the news. She's, she's stunning, she's amazing. But, but she's tending to these eggs and as soon as they're not going to hatch, but that's her job and we don't have that as our job. Biology says there's a whole nother chapter where you're still useful on the planet. And we think that this time is like the end for us. But no, now is the time for you to pass on your knowledge and your wisdom and to go within and to gather the younger, the younger women around you and help and guide them through this, or to sit on the couch and read a book in peace. [00:13:42] Speaker B: I just loving everything you're saying. It is so positive. It is really encouraging. And instead of being down in the dumps about this phase, which is there's a lot of grief and symptoms and other things, but I love how you're pulling all of the positives out here and really clinging to the fact that this isn't over, this is just a new phase and you still have purpose. And maybe that purpose isn't to have a baby anymore, but it certainly is to share wisdom and to grow your now babies who are kids and launch them off. There's so much purpose. Post well, I should say once you have your last period and you have that full year, there is a lot of purpose in post menopause. And although there's grief involved and I, I have experienced that, to be honest. I remember I walk a lot with my girlfriends. It's one of my favorite things to do. And I have a girlfriend who's slightly older than I am, just by three or four years. And so she's always kind of one step ahead of me. And she was talking about all this HRT hormone replacement therapy she was taking. She was talking about vaginal dryness and thinning hair and night sweats. And I was like, girl, that's not happening to me. Like, in my mind, I was listening to her and supporting her. And then all of a sudden, out of the blue, I started forgetting stuff. And I pride myself on details, recalling quickly and focus. And all of that was in the dumpster. And I, I actually thought, oh my gosh, do I have some sort of early onset Alzheimer's? Because this is bad, this is bad. And then so of course, my supportive girlfriend, well, did you ever think it's related to perimenopause? And I was like, I'm just stressed, girl, you know? And then I started waking up in the middle of the night for no reason. Like, I didn't have racing thoughts then. I was getting, I already run hot. I was getting pretty warm. I'm like, oh my gosh, this is it. It's starting. And she was honest. Like, this is happening to me in some different ways than her. But here I am, I'm starting. And I remember the first time I said perimenopause Even on this podcast, it made me feel like an old bag, like, undesirable. Am I admitting that this is starting to happen in my life and I've now come to embrace it, especially connecting with other women like you, who want to empower women everywhere through their entire menses journey, including perimenopause. Why don't you tell me a little bit about the technology that you and your business partner have been developing? [00:16:49] Speaker A: Oh, my gosh. I. First of all, thank you so much for being so open and vulnerable about it, because it is. It's not anything that was ever talked about. It's like, hey, your period's coming. You're gonna cramp, but whatever. Eve ate an apple, so just get over it. And then you're gonna grow a beard and get hot flashes, and then you won't have a period. Like that was it. No one walked us through this phase of life. And so thank you for. For being vulnerable because it is hard. It's an identity crisis of sorts. And Alex and I. But I'm. I'm a former high school teacher. I'm all about education. And body literacy is so important. Like, knowing what's happening with your body is so important to me, especially raising a daughter. And so we want our app. We have an app. It's called the Agenda Period. And our app syncs to your Google Calendar, and it lets you know what phase of your cycle you're on with a little colored ribbon at the top. And in the app, it lets you know what to do with that information. Because most apps are like, hey, you're fertile. And hey, your period is coming. Like, that's it. And our app is like, hey, this is your phase. Now here's what to go do with that information. We're like, the now what app? What. What do I do with that? What do I do with the fact that I'm waking up at 3am every night? What do I do with the fact that I feel like I've got bugs crawling on my feet when nothing's there? Or what do I do with this itchy ear that I like? What do I do? I get that it's there, but my lab results are normal and my doctor says I'm not perimental. Like, what do I do? So we pride ourselves in kind of being the sherpa of your. Your hormonal flow, and we teach you how to become your own cycle scientist. So our app is chocked full of resources, information. We have a menstrual marketplace in our app, and it's all female founded brands. So if you're logging any of those weird symptoms that you're having, we, we will send you a notification or let you know. Hey, Semaine Health has a great perimenopausal support supplement and it's all natural. And two women made it like here, go try this and you can shop right in our app. And so we recognize that there's not a lot of information out there and we are trying to disrupt that. [00:19:02] Speaker B: Yeah, it is so empowering to hear other women helping other women. And this is life changing stuff. This isn't like a new fashion and that's so cute. This is really, as you mentioned earlier in the interview, causing women to make massive choices about their lifestyle, their partnerships, what they're doing. And if you can better get a hold of your emotions and symptoms and understand why you do things, maybe you can make more well informed choices of what this next phase of life is going to be. I have a. This is not a trick question for you, but it is a question. So when we're in perimenopause, one of the signs of that can be erratic periods. So that is a question. But in addition, someone like myself, so I have an IUD and I've had it for about three years and I don't want any more children. And what happens with IUD? IUDs for a lot of women is they actually cease getting a period because of the iud. But I still have cycle behaviors. Like I still like weepy and I know, I'm like, oh, this is this, this common man. And so how can someone like me who has erratic, you know, cycles or you know, someone in perimenopause who's all over the place. How can we use your app? [00:20:32] Speaker A: Oh, I love that we have our non bleeders for whatever reason, if you aren't bleeding, if it's because you're postmenopausal, if it's because hysterectomy, if it's because of birth control, we. There is this ancient wisdom that our great grandmothers probably knew that the only other thing that's every 28 days is the moon and the moon sinking to the energy of the moon. I've got a little. I'm gonna reach across here. I'm sure this is not very. Yes, we made these little stickers and with each phase of the moon you should be behaving the same way you do in each phase of your cycle. So the new moon would be. We just had the new moon. I think like Last week is like when you're on your bleed, it's dark, the energy is coming within. Okay. So then two weeks later we have a full moon, which is like your ovulation energy. And. And everyone thought back in the day that everyone was crazy, a lunatic because of the full moon. But before the Industrial revolution, history teacher hat we were all outside. And so women's bodies were more controlled by the moon than they are now because we're inside a lot. And so most women ovulated during the full moon. So everyone thought people were going crazy. But no, everyone was horny and women's pheromones were shooting off everywhere and it was time to make babies. [00:21:55] Speaker B: Oh my gosh. Like, mind blown. I have not heard of this. And now lunatic, like all of that. No way. [00:22:03] Speaker A: Yes. [00:22:04] Speaker B: Wow. [00:22:04] Speaker A: So you, if you're not bleeding, you're a moon goddess. And if you would like to discuss taking that IUD out, which I would love to have a conversation with you about, we could definitely do that. But if your period is not coming on a set schedule, like I was a 28 day girly, like non stop, and that was my first sign that I was going through perimenopause because my period was coming every 24 or 26 days and it did not dawn on me that it would be coming early. I always thought it was going to get longer and then just not come. And we have a networking group and one of our older members was like, Anna, how old are you? And at the time I was 44. And she was like, this sounds like perimenopause. And I was like, it never dawned on me that I would be in perimenopause. I don't feel perimenopausal. But again, that was my ignorance and my lack. Even working in the field that I'm working in, it didn't dawn on me that I was going through perimenopause. So your body dumps a lot of estrogen. So that's how we get like multiple pregnancies later on in life. Because your body's just saying, come on, make a baby, make a baby. We'll shoot all the eggs down that we need. And progesterone decreases during this time. So your period is going to come sooner. So knowing when you ovulate is very, very key. So if your period is all over the place, you need to pay attention to your ovulation. And if you don't know when you're ovulating, I take my basal body temperature literally every morning since. Since My period came back after giving birth nine years ago. I have taken my basal body temperature every morning and, and so I know when my ovulation is about to happen. And I definitely know it's there when you go to wipe and it feels like a slip and slide. You're ovulating? Yes. Cervical mucus. Yes. And then when you go to wipe a few days later and it's kind of dried up like old rubber cement. For my 70s and 80s babies, that's how you know that your fertile window has closed. And so typically 14 days after that is when your period comes. So we, we like to think that our period is the star of the show, but your period is your report card. It lets you know how well you loved on yourself in the other three weeks before your period. Ovulation is the star of the show. So tracking if your period is erratic, if you feel like you're in perimenopause, getting a tracker like ours, we have a, a handheld version. If you don't trust your stuff online is super, super important because you got to be on your own. Psychoscientist, you got to know what's happening in your body when. And you can take it to your care team and say, my luteal phase is a little long and your doctor's gonna be like, oh shit, she knows what she's talking about. [00:24:54] Speaker B: Yeah, well, I, I read this book, super old school. It's called taking charge of your fertility. It's like a classic. And it's like, like, like really classic. Probably something our moms had access to and it went into depth about everything and the body temperature. And I remember doing that when I was trying to get pregnant many, many years ago. So that's so interesting though because you're doing that now with no intention of pregnancy monitoring or ideal windows, but understanding your own cycles. [00:25:29] Speaker A: Yes, because I am avoiding pregnancy as well. I do not, I do not want a late in life baby. I mean, I already, my daughter's 9, so I was already a geriatric. Pregnancy was the rudest term ever and I don't want any more children. But I also knew that birth control wasn't right for me anymore. I did not have informed consent about what was going to happen to my body later on in life, being on the pill or having an IUD for so long. So I was like, there's got to be a way I can do this in a holistic, natural way. And I have avoided pregnancy for over nine years now with just knowing when I'm fertile. Because you're fertile like four or five days out of the month. And when we, when we do something to kind of stop all the other magic from happening, you just don't. You don't know how your, your body is going to react once you're finally done with that stuff. [00:26:21] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. Very interesting. So one of the things that we have a lot of male listeners, and for those of you who have hung in there to better understand your family, your partner, your wife, your girlfriend, hats off to you. [00:26:36] Speaker A: It's the cheat code, guys. [00:26:38] Speaker B: Yeah. So, like, how can men feel comfortable in this zone? Talking about it, asking about it. Is it, like, creepy for them to be like, girl, like, are you ovulating? Or like, how can they do this in a way that's, you know, what's your advice to the men out there? [00:26:56] Speaker A: I'm so glad you asked because y' all guys, if you're listening, think. Thank you. That you're still listening because it is the cheat code. My husband, I'm in Texas, he's a football coach in Texas. Okay. A ball of testosterone is my husband. And when I tell you I made this little, this little. We call it the marriage saver. It goes on the mirror between where he and I brush my. Our teeth, and there's a little arrow and I move it around. And he knows which wife he's getting that week. Okay. Knows what my body needs, how I should move what's happening in my body. And I kid you not, true story. He comes home from work and he's got this really cool play. He's drawn up or something. I don't know what it was, but I'm laying in bed, it's football season, and he's going on 100 miles an hour. And I was like, yeah, cool. All right, cool. And he was like, we're really lovey dovey. And so he's like, that wasn't a good idea. And I was like, no, it was a great idea. I said it was cool. And so he goes in the bathroom and looks. And he was like, you didn't move your arrow. Like I was talking you to, to last week Anna. Instead of this week Anna. Okay, cool. Well, I'll talk. And his feelings weren't hurt. I. Yes. I felt so seen and so heard. He brought me chocolate and called me pretty. Like, it was just. It was a kumbaya moment. And. Yes. And like weeks later, I hear him in the garage watching football and he's on the phone with one of his coaching buddies and he's like, dude, I think she's in her luteal phase. Like, take the kids to the park or something and, like, bring home a pizza. Like, she. She needs some alone time. And I was like, are you, period coaching out here? He was like, yeah, babe. So and so she's probably in her luteal phase. [00:28:27] Speaker B: It sounds, like, unbelievable. I mean, that just makes me so happy that it's like, yes. Men talking about it. It's not. It's not something that's inappropriate or dirty or weird or cheesy. [00:28:41] Speaker A: When they love you, they want to understand you, and we don't understand ourselves. Like, I don't. I didn't know before why I was crushing it in the gym one week, and then this week I just want to sit on the couch and eat Oreos. I felt like I was a failure at life. But now, no, now I know what's happening in my body, and now I can tell him. And then he knows. He knows not to get offended because guys are really easy about that stuff. They don't really hold grudges and get worked up about stuff. And they want you to be happy if they love you. So he knows not to plan certain outings around a certain auntie because she gets on my nerves. And if I'm ludio, I might say something and ruin the whole picnic. [00:29:18] Speaker B: That is so good. You have totally changed my mind about this. I was in conversation with some friends, and a girlfriend said, oh, her husband was super in sync with her on this. And I was like, that's kind of weird. Like, I, I. It felt more of, like a personal journey, you know, your own cycle. And, and more of a. You better control yourself more because you might make bad decisions during this week. And. And like, you are approaching this and so such a different way. And I, I'm like a m. You have changed my mind. [00:29:52] Speaker A: This makes sense, Karen. Yes. Yes. Yeah, right? Because it. It just takes a common language. Like, it just takes a common language. We were just really kind of taught. You're going to be moody and gripey. Are you on your period? Are you PMSing? And it was this shame that we have carried as women through the world to not talk about it and to try to fit into their schedule. But men who have healthy levels of testosterone, they're like the sun. They rise and set every day, and they can do the same thing every day. So, like, inspirational speakers are like, get up and do your affirmations and get your workout and. And they can do that every day. And we're like the moon where it's taking us 28 days to do what they're doing every 24 hours. So it's so much easier for them to fit into our flow than it is for us to fit into theirs. And the end result is understanding and a deeper connection. So, yes, let him. Let him know where you are and what to do about it. I'm gonna send you one of these because this is a game changer. [00:30:54] Speaker B: I love. I have never seen anything like that. And it's almost like, yeah, it's just sitting there. Take it or leave it. You're. It's. That's. So. I really, really hope that some of our listeners get that specific piece. If they don't do anything. That is life changing. [00:31:11] Speaker A: Right. There seriously has been. Because there was a time that I did not know that this was going through my body. And I did groceries on Sundays, and so I would drive to the grocery store by myself. This was my alone time. And load up the car full of groceries and think to myself, I could drive away and live off this food for, like, a month. I could just leave because the breathing too loud or the sock is still out on the. Like, whatever it was. And now. Now I can build boundaries in those other areas. And I. My. I. We put my husband on our social media a lot because he's kind of game to. To go along with certain things. But, yeah, there's certain things, like the. The toothpaste drawer being left out. When I'm ovulating, I'm like, look at him. He's so forgetful. But when I'm ludio, I'm like, oh. He leaves everything for me to do. [00:32:03] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. This is, like, so real. Anna, you are just like my spirit animal. All these things. Yes, all of them. [00:32:12] Speaker A: Like, the. [00:32:13] Speaker B: The groceries. I just had a call with a girlfriend. She's like, I just. I know this is embarrassing, but I just feel like, is it easier just to abandon ship? Like, everything. Like, all. I'm like, it's okay. You're tired and you're probably, like, hormonal is what I said. And she was. But it's like, this is something that we all feel, feel, and it's normal. And it's driven by surges or lack thereof of hormones that flow through our bodies. [00:32:40] Speaker A: Yes. Yes. Gosh. And this year, I have to say, I've been avoiding hormone replacement. Avoiding, avoiding, avoiding. Like, I've got to do it the natural way. And the start of this year, I started getting travel anxiety. Like, I've never been scared to travel and be away from My family and I just thought it was because the world is on fire. And maybe that's why I was feeling this way, but it would be like crippling. And of course that's one of the symptoms of perimenopause is travel anxiety. And it just means your progesterone's low. So if you're spotting a few days before your actual period, progesterone, if you're waking up in the middle of the night, progesterone, if you're having those night sweats, you're waking up wet, it's progesterone. And so there are natural ways. I just went ahead and get, I take progesterone the two weeks before my period and within four hours I was a different woman. Just. [00:33:30] Speaker B: Wow, that's so interesting. So I, I started HRT nine months ago and I have been, I have the best, like nurse practitioner and doctor team who have been so supportive. Their whole practice is designed for middle aged women in, you know, perimenopause and menopause support. And the progesterone has been life changing for me as well. And it feels good because you can miss it too. Like, for me, I just take it all month. But it's not like you have to scramble. If you forgot last night, it's gosh. But that's really cool that you're taking it at certain phases in your cycle because that is when it's plummeting to the lowest. [00:34:16] Speaker A: Wow, I've got a little testosterone in me too, because that was way too low and thyroid, like all the things just if you're feeling like crap, you're not supposed to. There are cultures, like Asian cultures where they don't even experience perimenopause because they're getting in all. They're getting in the right food, the right movement, and they have the right connections in their life. So if you're, if you're feeling like crap right now, you're not supposed to. And so you have to get help. Whatever form of help you need, you have to do it because you're not, your period is not supposed to suck and perimenopause is not supposed to. Supposed to. It's not supposed to be this excruciating thing. Like we see funny things like that poor woman at that football game with her hair, her head steaming because she was going, having a hot flash. Like it's, it's funny. But no, that woman is suffering. She's suffering and you're not supposed to. [00:35:09] Speaker B: I know you mentioned you have a daughter I do, too. I wonder what the future of women's medicine is going to be for them. I. I really believe that we are pioneering this space as a more acceptable open conversation, no shame involved. Almost like mental health was 10 years ago. It's like our moment for women to gather around. And like you said, we don't have to suffer in silence. There are natural and medical options. There's communities who have gone through this. We want to support you, share what's working for them. I started telling all my friends, especially my younger friends, who I'm a step ahead of. This is what is happening to me and this is how I'm working through it. And all of them were so grateful because many will then launch into all the things or some of them that you and I have started experiencing. And now they have, like, resources. Yeah. So spread the word. [00:36:15] Speaker A: Perimenopause. Yeah. It's happening earlier and earlier. And 35. 35 is typically when perimenopause starts and it can last for 15 plus years. And we're seeing, I'm seeing a lot of women coming to me that need relief and they're like 32 and 33 and they're explaining symptoms and I'm like, that sounds like perimenopause. And every single one of them was, was on a chemical birth control for a long period of time. And when you do that, your body thinks that you're pregnant. So if your body thought you were pregnant for 12 years, yeah, it's going to say, okay, you're done. You're done making babies now and you're just 33. And so there are, there are things that you should consider. And if you're feeling badly, just start acting as if, act as if you're in perimenopause and get that weight, invest and go for a walk and start adding weights to your workout and start getting the right seeds in your diet at the right time. Like all these little natural, normal things. It's going to make it so much easier in your 40s and 50s when. Yeah, yeah. [00:37:19] Speaker B: Yes. Oh, my gosh, you've just been such an inspiration. So you have so many different things. Applications, technology, you know, stuff that's physical. How can our community get connected with yours? What is the best way for us to follow you? [00:37:39] Speaker A: Oh, come hang out with us. We are the agenda, period, everywhere. On Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube. Our website is theagendaperiod.com Our app is the agenda with a period at the end on iOS and Android. So check us out. If you message, if you have any type of weird questions, message on Instagram, it's gonna be me or Alex that responds. It's, it's the two of us and we are, we're happy to help and we just, we're not calling this revolutionary. We're calling it more of a reclamation. Like, like I said, our ancestors knew this and we lost it along the way with industrialization and capitalism and the patriarchy and all of that stuff. And we're just helping, helping reclaim that. [00:38:23] Speaker B: Yes. Well, I'll drop all of these links into the show notes so they're easy for you to find. Just click, click on them and follow them everywhere so you're in the know. I think just having this regular support and reminder of being in touch with your cycle is really, really life changing. [00:38:43] Speaker A: It is. Do a daily check in with yourself. Your best, your, your most important relationship is the one that you have with yourself. And so imagine if you never checked in with your partner every day. Like if you just went days without checking in with your partner, that relationship would be crap. And so check in with yourself every day. Just. We have a daily check in button in, in the app you write you, you, you tap in all the things that you, you've got going on and then keep it moving. [00:39:07] Speaker B: Great. Anna, thank you so much for coming on today. I know our listeners are going to love connecting with you and I really love everything you had to say for my own personal self right now. [00:39:17] Speaker A: So thank you, thank you so much for having me. I could talk about this all day, so I appreciate, I appreciate you giving this topic of platform because it's important. [00:39:26] Speaker B: Yeah, definitely. All right, thanks so much, Anna. And that brings us to the end of another episode. I hope you enjoyed the content and I'd love it if you would share this with a friend or family that you think would enjoy it. This is such a great time. Middle age. And I want to spread that message. The best way to do that is to share it. And if you haven't already followed us or subscribed, make sure to do that so you don't miss any of our new content. I'm going to leave you like I do every episode. Remember, it's never too late, you're not too old and you're definitely not dead.