How Can We Navigate Perimenopause with More Support, Clarity, and Compassion?

What if one of the biggest transitions in a woman’s life is also one of the least understood...and least talked about?
In this episode, Dr. Loree Johnson sits down with Dr. Wiyatta Fahnbulleh for an honest and deeply validating conversation about perimenopause, a phase that can begin far earlier than many expect and one that carries emotional, physical, and identity-shaping changes. Despite affecting millions, perimenopause is still surrounded by silence, confusion, and cultural misconceptions.

Together, they explore the wide range of symptoms, especially the emotional shifts, that often go unrecognized, and how these changes can impact relationships, identity, and mental health. Dr. Loree and Dr. Wiyatta highlight the importance of community support and the power of advocating for yourself in medical spaces, particularly when symptoms are dismissed or misunderstood.

They also discuss why aging should be embraced as a privilege, how perfectionism can interfere with self-acceptance, and why normalizing conversations about perimenopause is essential for women’s emotional and reproductive health. This episode is a compassionate reminder that no one has to navigate this transition alone, and that embracing this phase with understanding and openness can be profoundly empowering.

Key Takeaways
Perimenopause can begin as early as the 30s.
Many symptoms, especially emotional ones, are rarely discussed.
Emotional dysregulation is a significant and often overlooked aspect.
Community and connection make this phase easier to navigate.
Self-advocacy is essential for receiving proper medical support.
Aging is a privilege and deserves to be reframed positively.
Perimenopause conversations need to be normalized.
Identity often shifts during this transition.
Perfectionism can make self-acceptance more difficult.
Tracking personal symptoms helps in understanding your own experience.


Connect with Dr. Wiyatta: https://drwiyatta.com/about-me/
Instagram:   / fertilitycounselingnow  


Connect with Dr. Loree Johnson
Website: https://www.drloreejohnson.com
Instagram:   / drloreejohnson  
LinkedIn:   / drloreejohnson  `