The 'Pause Life

Sharing this gem from @imomsohard and her 14-year-old son explaining that menopause “isn’t that bad.” I’m crying laughing… but also genuinely marveling that a 14-year-old boy even knows what menopause is. That’s progress. And her restraint? Olympic level. 🥇 Let’s keep normalizing the conversation, in our homes, with our kids, with each other. Because if a teenage boy can talk about menopause, so can your doctor. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause

It’s time. Women in midlife deserve access to the full range of evidence-based treatment options, including testosterone. ⁣ We have robust data showing that testosterone can significantly improve the overall quality of life in women in midlife. And yet, in the U.S., there is still no FDA-approved testosterone product specifically for women, despite our bodies naturally producing it. ⁣ We’re not asking for more than what men already have. We’re asking for equity, science, and respect. ⁣ Women’s health is not a niche. It’s not secondary. It’s essential. Thank you to @kellycaspersonmd and knowledge that you presented to the FDA. ⁣ #drmaryclairehaver #womenshealth #menopause #perimenopause #midlife #menopauseadvocacy #medicaladvocacy #womeninmidlife #thepauselife

@justbeingmelani here is my submission #wedonotcareclub #menopause #perimenopause

Headed to your menopause or perimenopause appointment? Ask these 3 questions—and pay attention to the answers. 1. Are you willing to discuss hormone therapy? → Red flag if they say no outright, dismiss your symptoms, or bring up outdated fear-mongering about risk. 2. What percentage of your patients are using hormone therapy? → Red flag if they say “almost none”—that likely means they’re not offering it, not that no one needs it. → Red flag if they say “100%”—that suggests a one-size-fits-all approach, which isn’t good medicine either. 3. Which types of hormone therapy do you offer? → Red flag if the only option is pellet therapy. That’s an ethical red flag. Pellets are not FDA-approved, often deliver supraphysiologic doses, and can be expensive and irreversible for months. There are multiple safe, effective, and customizable options—like transdermal estrogen, micronized progesterone, and more. Your care should never be limited to one method. You’re not being difficult. You’re being informed. And that’s powerful. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #hrt #womenshealth #menopauseadvocate

The window of opportunity….. Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton at the FDA

Estrogen plays a powerful role in the body. You can live without it but for many women, that comes with more inflammation, joint pain, muscle aches, and a noticeable shift in how you feel day to day. For most of us, estrogen isn’t just about symptom relief; it’s about protecting long-term health and extending our health span. Want to learn more? Tap the link in bio to explore free resources, symptom quizzes, and expert-backed guidance. #thenewmenopause #drmaryclairehaver #hormonehealth #womenshealth #perimenopause #menopausesupport #healthspan #hormonesymptoms #thepauselife #midlifehealth #womenshormones #menopause

This graph changes everything. Most women’s health research links menopause symptoms to age—but when you center the data on the final menstrual period, the real picture comes into focus. Cognitive issues like brain fog? They start early—often 3 to 4 years before periods stop. Hot flashes and night sweats? They peak around the final period and often last for years. Sleep problems, mood changes, sexual dysfunction? They don’t just “go away.” Many worsen or persist deep into postmenopause. This is not aging. This is the consequence of hormone loss. Estrogen doesn’t just regulate reproduction—it affects the brain, sleep, metabolism, cardiovascular health, sexual function, and mood. When you see this mapped over time, it’s clear: This is a systemic event. And yet women are told to tough it out, ride it out, and wait it out. No more. It’s time to center menopause in research, policy, and clinical care. This is healthspan. This is quality of life. This is the future of medicine. You're not crazy. You're not broken. You're unpaused. 📊 Source: Nature Reviews Psychology, 2025 📚 Learn more at thepauselife.com #menopause #perimenopause #hormones #brainfog #sleepproblems #vasomotorsymptoms #sexualhealth #midlifewomen #healthspan #unpaused

Honest. #menopause #perimenopause #estradiol #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause

Without you, there would be no movement. To every person who was brave enough to share their story with me, fight for better care, demand that your experience be taken seriously, I thank you. And for those who are still struggling and wondering what is wrong… We are here for you. Thank you too. @time for this incredible honor and recognition of the menopause movement. #menopause #perimenopause #time100creators

Petty Labelle. I’m stealing it.

Did menopause land you in the ER? Was it palpitations? Panic attacks? Dizziness? Tinnitus? Anxiety so intense you thought something was seriously wrong? Drop your story below. You’re not alone—and your voice matters. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #menopausesymptoms

#onthisday

#onthisday

Let’s talk about visceral fat—the kind that builds up around your organs and increases during the menopause transition. This isn’t just about aesthetics. Visceral fat is metabolically active, meaning it contributes to inflammation, insulin resistance, and increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, dementia, and type 2 diabetes. The drop in estrogen during menopause doesn’t just change your periods—it shifts where your body stores fat, making midsection weight gain more likely even if nothing else changes. But here’s the good news: this isn’t inevitable, and it’s not your fault. With the right strategies—nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, and yes, sometimes hormone therapy—we can absolutely make a difference. This is about health, not just weight. And you deserve real answers. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause #visceralfat #metabolichealth #womenshealth #bellyfat #menopausesupport #inflammation #estrogenmatters

#onthisday

How I spent my morning………

#onthisday

#stitch with @The 'Pause Life Gynecologists

It’s impossible to be a menopausal woman, till it’s not. #menopause #perimenopause #drmaryclaire #thenewmenopause