Ep. 473 The Truth About Perimenopause with Tamsen Fadal

I am delighted and honored to connect with Tamsen Fadal today. She is a New York Times bestselling author, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, a menopause advocate, a documentary filmmaker, and a content creator. 

In our discussion, Tamsen explains why the anti-aging approach is outdated and potentially harmful, and how she advocates for a pro-aging or age-positive perspective instead. We explore the perimenopausal journey, looking at why so many women suffer in silence, feeling isolated or ashamed during the transition to menopause, and how that was entrenched by longstanding silence from both the media and medical communities. We also debunk common myths and misconceptions about this pivotal life stage, discussing the importance of advocacy and lifestyle choices.

This invaluable conversation with Tamsen Fadal is rich and empowering, so you will likely want to listen to it again and share it with all the women in your life.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• Why Tamsen is opposed to the anti-aging narrative and advocates for a pro-aging approach instead

• How Tamsen became comfortable with her age after getting to know herself 

• Challenging ourselves intellectually and remaining socially connected as we age 

• Tamsen shares her experience with the inadequate explanations she received from doctors about her menopausal symptoms.

• There is a need for further efforts and advocacy to raise more awareness about menopause.

• Common misconceptions about menopause.

• Misinterpreted data from a 2002 study led to fears around HRT

• Benefits of HRT and the challenges women face in accessing testosterone

• Tamsen discusses her successful menopause event that featured many experts and celebrities and prompted 65,000 people to sign up globally.

• Daily well-being practices.

Bio: 

Tamsen Fadal is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, documentary filmmaker, and social media’s “midlife mentor.” After more than three decades as a news anchor, Tamsen pivoted her career towards women’s advocacy, guiding her audience of 4+ million (50+ million monthly views) through midlife and beyond. She is the creator and executive producer of the PBS documentary, The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, which has been viewed by over 1 million women across 350+ cities and 42 countries, and the author of her new book, How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better than Before (Hachette 2025).

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on Twitter

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• Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com

Connect with Tamsen Fadal

• On the How To Menopause website

• Her podcast, The Tamsen Show

• On social media: @TamsenFadal