Menopause Masterclass: Hormones, Brain Fog, Weight & Mental Health

Perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause explained.
In this solo Menopause Masterclass, Dr. Mary Claire Haver breaks down what is really happening to your hormones, brain, body, and long-term health, and why so many women are dismissed or misdiagnosed during this transition.

This episode comes from the unPAUSED podcast, where we cut through the silence and talk honestly about what it takes for women to thrive in the second half of life. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and the latest science, Dr. Haver explains why menopause is not a moment but a biological process that begins years before your periods stop and lasts the rest of your life.

🎧 Listen to the full unPAUSED podcast here: https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-un...

Guest links:
Mary Claire Wellness https://thepausewellness.com/
The ‘Pause Life https://thepauselife.com/?srsltid=Afm...
Dr. Mary Claire Haver (Instagram)   / drmaryclaire  
Dr. Mary Claire Haver (YouTube)    / @drmaryclaire  
Books:
“The New Menopause,” by Dr. Mary Claire Haver https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-ne...

For full show notes, please visit: https://bit.ly/unPAUSEDDrMaryClaireHaver

00:00 — Postmenopause Explained: The Longest Phase of a Woman’s Life
01:00 — Menopause Basics: Definitions, Timing & Common Confusion
01:56 — Why Menopause Happens: Egg Supply & Female Biology
03:47 — Ovulation Starts in the Brain: Hormone Signaling 101
04:45 — Perimenopause Begins: When the System Stops Working Smoothly
05:44 — Early Perimenopause Symptoms: Brain Fog, Mood & Sleep Changes
06:45 — Estrogen Receptors Everywhere: Whole-Body Effects
08:59 — The Full Symptom Spectrum: What Estrogen Loss Can Look Like
10:04 — How Early Symptoms Can Start: 7–10 Years Before Menopause
11:03 — Weight & Body Composition: The Rise of Visceral (Belly) Fat
12:02 — Inflammation, Cholesterol & Insulin Resistance Explained
15:55 — Mental Health in Perimenopause: Anxiety, Depression & Hormones
20:04 — GSM Explained: Vaginal, Bladder & Vulvar Changes
22:57 — Vaginal Estrogen: Safety, Myths & Why Everyone Should Know About It
29:36 — Hormone Therapy Misinformation & Finding the Right Provider
35:58 — Hormones 101: Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone
43:46 — How Long to Stay on HRT: Bones, Heart Health & Aging
51:33 — Final Takeaways: Advocacy, Education & What Comes Next

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Medical Disclaimer:
The information, including opinions and recommendations, on this platform is meant for informational and educational purposes only. Mary Claire Media, LLC, the unPAUSED podcast, and The ’Pause Life are not medical organizations. Medical advice or medical diagnosis cannot be provided to you through the platform, any associated website, or customer portals. Using this platform does not establish a patient-physician relationship.