Perimenopause Explained: Symptoms, Hormones, and What No One Tells You

Perimenopause can feel confusing, overwhelming, and often misunderstood— but you’re not alone.

In this episode of Health Starts With Her, host Dr. Tara Shirazian sits down with Cheldin Barlatt, CEO of This Is It Network, and Mary Pierce, former professional tennis champion, to talk openly about their experiences navigating perimenopause.

Together, they share what this stage of life really looks like—from the symptoms that caught them off guard to how they’re managing hormonal changes, advocating for themselves, and finding what works.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your symptoms could be perimenopause, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we cover:
• What is perimenopause
• Common perimenopause symptoms (and the ones no one talks about)
• Hormonal changes and how they impact your body
• How to manage symptoms and feel like yourself again
• When to talk to a doctor
• How to advocate for better care

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Timestamps: 
00:00 – Introduction
00:47 – Meet Cheldin Barlatt Rumer & Mary Pierce
02:00 – Symptoms of perimenopause (what to look for)
06:35 – What is Perimenopause? 
07:15 – Where you prepared for this period of life
15:30 – “Is this normal?” How to know it’s perimenopause
16:30 – Navigating symptom changes 
19:30 – Navigating doctors 
20:00 – Advocating for yourself
22:15 – Treatment options based on lifestyle and goals
31:30 – Treatments that work 
42:50 – Advice for women entering this stage