
new episodes every wednesday
You’re showing up, pushing through, doing everything you’ve been told to do. But your body feels unpredictable. You’re wired at night, exhausted by morning, gaining weight without changing a thing, and wondering why no one is talking about this.
This is perimenopause, and most women have no idea how early it starts or how many symptoms are connected to it.
In part one of this two-part conversation, Tamsen sits down with Dr. Heather Hirsch, a leading menopause clinician and author of the upcoming book The Perimenopause Survival Guide, to break down what’s actually happening inside your body and what you can do to take back control.
They talk about:
- The most overlooked symptoms of perimenopause and why they matter
- How hormone shifts affect your mood, metabolism, sleep, skin, and focus
- Which lab tests are worth requesting in perimenopause and how to interpret them
- Aclear breakdown of hormone therapy for perimenopause and the questions to ask before exploring it
- The key appointment every woman should have by age 38 to protect her long-term health
0:00 Intro
2:06 Dr. Heather Hirsch’s Mission to Retrain Doctors
5:14 Why Women Aren’t Being Taught About Perimenopause
7:40 What To Do If You Have A Silent Perimenopause
9:51 The Significant Impact Of Brain Fog
12:14 The Risk of Untreated Hot Flashes
14:24 The Correlation Between Coronary Vessels and Estrogen
16:16 Hair Loss, Skin Changes, and Adult Acne in Perimenopause
19:53 Can Your Vision Be Affected By Menopause
22:07 Are There Three Big Symptoms Of Menopause
25:01 Why Are Women Just Given Antidepressants
28:03 What Can HRT Be Used For
31:23 Where Menopause Education Fits Into Med School
34:39 The Impact Of Having A Wrong Diagnosis
37:59 Are There Any Tests For Perimenopause?
41:03 Three Things To Bring To Your Doctor
Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV
Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 https://www.tamsenfadal.com/how-to-menopause
You can find Dr. Hirsch here:
Follow The Tamsen Show:
Watch full video episodes on YouTube
Connect with Tamsen Fadal:
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show.
Join Tamsen’s community!
Subscribe to Tamsen’s YouTube
Follow Tamsen on Instagram
Order Tamsen’s book – How To Menopause
🎧 Listen to The Tamsen Show podcast everywhere you get your podcasts!

I’m an Emmy Award-winning journalist, filmmaker, author, speaker, certified integrative nutrition coach, and passionate menopause advocate.

New Episodes Drop Every Wednesday!
Every episode of The Tamsen Show is here to help you navigate every stage of life with confidence. From career pivots to menopause, relationships to reinvention, Tamsen tackles the conversations women actually need, with real talk from experts, wellness advice and no filters.

join tamsen's community
Receive her best midlife tips, inspiration, and news straight to your inbox every week.