Perimenopause WTF?

Breast Cancer at 38, Menopause, and My One Chance at Motherhood
What changes in healthcare when we stop starting with the expert and start with the woman who lived it?
Seen & Heard is built around lived experience. Real women tell their health stories in their own words: what happened, what it felt like, where care worked, where it fell short, and what they wish their healthcare professionals had understood. Healthcare professionals join the conversation not to explain away those experiences, but to listen, reflect and explore what we can learn from them.
In this episode, Sarrah Strimel Bentley sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel L. Goldman for an extraordinarily personal conversation about breast cancer, treatment-induced menopause, fertility loss, surrogacy, motherhood and the emotional reality of having your life and body change almost overnight.
Sarrah was 38 when she found a lump in her breast. After initially being reassured that she was young, had no family history and was low risk, she trusted what she knew about her own body and kept pushing for answers. She was ultimately diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma and underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.
But cancer affected far more than her breasts.
Treatment forced Sarrah into menopause and eventually left her without ovarian function. Before chemotherapy, she and her now-husband went through IVF and created one viable embryo. They called him Chance: their one chance at having a genetically related child.
That embryo ultimately became their son through surrogacy.
Sarrah and Dr. Goldman unpack the parts of these experiences that rarely fit neatly into a medical chart: grief and joy existing at the same time, the loss of control, the pressure to be “brave,” fertility decisions made in the middle of a cancer diagnosis, navigating surrogacy, and the importance of healthcare professionals seeing the individual rather than simply the diagnosis.
They also talk about something at the heart of Seen & Heard: using your voice. When Sarrah encountered healthcare professionals who understood her story, she felt held as a whole person. When she didn’t feel seen or heard, she learned to speak up, ask questions and make herself part of the conversation.
Because lived experience isn’t an anecdote sitting outside of healthcare. It is information healthcare professionals can learn from.
Sarrah Strimel Bentley is a former Broadway showgirl, motivational speaker, women’s health advocate and toddler mom. She is the founder of A Chance For Life Foundation and Damn Good & Co.
Follow Sarrah on Instagram and TikTok at @sarrahstrimelbentley.
Rachel L. Goldman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, author of When Life Happens, and Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Her work focuses on helping people navigate the moments in life they cannot control and developing practical tools to respond to stress, uncertainty and change.
Learn more about When Life Happens: When Life Happens
Seen & Heard is a Perry podcast built around a simple belief: better care starts with listening.
Each episode begins with a woman’s lived experience. Healthcare professionals are invited into that story to listen, ask questions and reflect on what her experience can teach us about delivering better care.
These aren't conversations about the “perfect patient journey.” They are about what healthcare actually feels like from the other side of the exam room.
Seen & Heard is brought to you by Perry, with this episode created in partnership with Bonafide.
For healthcare professionals who want to take these lessons further, Perry Academy provides multidisciplinary education in perimenopause and menopause care, helping professionals translate women’s lived experiences and the latest clinical knowledge into better everyday care.
Learn more at Perry Academy and the Perimenopause Certificate.

SEEN & HEARD: It Starts With Listening to Women
Welcome to the first episode of SEEN & HEARD, a new special series from Perimenopause WTF?
We are launching SEEN & HEARD during Perimenopause Awareness Month with a message we believe needs to be at the center of this month:
Awareness starts with listening to women.
For too long, women have been telling us what is happening to their bodies.
They have talked about the anxiety that seemingly came out of nowhere. The sleep that suddenly changed. The brain fog, exhaustion, changes in their periods, libido, mood and sense of self. They have asked whether these symptoms could be connected. And too often, they have been dismissed, treated symptom by symptom, or simply told that they are too young for perimenopause.
SEEN & HEARD starts somewhere different: by listening to women.
Because women’s lived experiences are not an afterthought to the healthcare conversation. They are where the conversation should begin.
In our first episode, we meet Kristin Cohen, Perry Community Manager, who was just 37 when she first began experiencing symptoms of perimenopause.
At 37, perimenopause wasn’t the obvious explanation. Kristin’s experience represents something we hear again and again in the Perry community: women know when something has changed in their bodies, even when they don’t yet have the language to explain what is happening.
Kristin shares her story with Dr. Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG, MSCP, practicing gynecologist and Chief Medical Officer of Bonafide Health.
And importantly, the conversation begins with Kristin.
Her experience. Her questions. What she noticed. What she needed.
Dr. Dweck brings the clinical expertise to help put that lived experience into context.
That is the soul of SEEN & HEARD.
Listen to the woman first. Then bring in the science, expertise and care.
Because if we want to build better healthcare for women, we have to get better at hearing what women have been telling us all along.
Kristin and Dr. Dweck explore:
• What it can feel like when perimenopause begins in your 30s
• Why women may not recognize that seemingly unrelated symptoms could be connected
• What happens when women feel their concerns aren’t being heard
• The questions women are really asking inside the Perry community
• How lived experience can help inform better clinical conversations
• Why listening to women has to be part of improving perimenopause care
This episode also marks a broader collaboration between Perry and Bonafide Health built around making trusted perimenopause education more accessible to women.
Together, we are launching Perry Shorts with Dr. Alyssa Dweck: short, digestible educational videos that take the real questions we hear from women and bring them directly to a trusted healthcare expert.
The principle is the same:
Start with what women are asking. Start with what women are experiencing. Start by listening.
Dr. Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG, MSCP is a practicing gynecologist, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner and Chief Medical Officer of Bonafide Health. She has decades of experience caring for women, with a particular focus on menopause and female sexual health.
At Perry, listening to women is only the beginning.
What we hear from women also needs to make its way back into healthcare.
Through Perry Academy, we bring the lived realities of perimenopause together with multidisciplinary, evidence-based healthcare professional education. The goal is to help more healthcare professionals recognize the whole-person experience of perimenopause and have better, more informed conversations with the women sitting in front of them.
That connection matters.
Listen to women.
Learn from women.
Bring their experiences into healthcare education.
And ultimately, change the way women are cared for.
That is what SEEN & HEARD is about.
🎧 Follow Perimenopause WTF? wherever you listen to podcasts and stay tuned for more SEEN & HEARD conversations.

Welcome to Perimenopause WTF!, brought to you by ⁠Perry⁠—the #1 perimenopause app and education space. 
The Perry Academy was created for 🎓 Healthcare Providers, to help Transform How You Support Women in Midlife. ⁠Perry Academy⁠ is built for providers ready to lead the charge in perimenopause care. Grounded in the lived experiences of over 500,000 women, our CME- and CE-accredited training gives you the tools, insights, and real-world strategies to recognize, assess, and support women through perimenopause and beyond.
Join a growing movement of clinicians and allied health professionals committed to closing the midlife care gap.
🔗 ⁠Join at www.perry.academy⁠
A membership grounded in evidence-based training, expert-led modules, and the lived insights of 500,000+ women—designed to transform midlife care.
Today’s episode is titled “PMS to Perimenopause” with Dr. Nanette Santoro and Dr. Nancy King Reame. In this episode, we explore the intricate transition from PMS to perimenopause with renowned experts Dr. Nancy King Reame and Dr. Nanette Santoro. The discussion dives into the "PMS continuum," clarifying how to distinguish between cyclic premenstrual symptoms, PMDD, and the early hormonal shifts of midlife. You’lll gain a deeper understanding of topics like "menstrual magnification" and the latest clinical breakthroughs in using low-dose SSRIs to manage both mood and physical symptoms during this complex life stage.
You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone!  Download the free Perry App on ⁠Apple⁠ or ⁠Android⁠ and join our live expert talks, receive evidence-based education, connect with other women, and simplify your perimenopause journey.
The ⁠Perry Menopause Journal⁠
Looking for a meaningful way to prioritize your well-being? The Perry Menopause Journal is your companion through perimenopause offering:
Thoughtful Prompts to reflect on your journey.

Progress Tracking to monitor your symptoms and wins.

Evidence-Based Knowledge to empower you.

Community Support to remind you that you’re never alone.

Meet Today’s Experts
Dr. Nanette Santoro, MD is a world-renowned reproductive endocrinologist and Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she previously served as the Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Santoro is leader in midlife women's health research, she has headed numerous landmark clinical trials focused on the hormonal changes and long-term health of women in perimenopause.
Dr. Nancy King Reame, PhD, RN, FAAN is a pioneering nurse researcher and the Mary Dickey Lindsay Professor Emerita of Nursing at Columbia University. Her decades of research focus on the biological and behavioral aspects of the menstrual cycle and the menopause transition, and she has served as a key consultant for global health organizations and the NIH.
Let’s Connect!
Visit ⁠www.heyperry.com⁠ to learn more.

Download the Perry App on ⁠Apple⁠ or ⁠Android⁠.

If you are a healthcare professional, enroll in ⁠Perry Academy ⁠and join a movement transforming midlife health. 

Explore our resources, guides, and community to make perimenopause less overwhelming and more empowering.

Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek professional medical advice.

Welcome to Perimenopause WTF!, brought to you by ⁠Perry⁠—the #1 perimenopause app and education space. 
The Perry Academy was created for 🎓 Healthcare Providers, to help Transform How You Support Women in Midlife. ⁠Perry Academy⁠ is built for providers ready to lead the charge in perimenopause care. Grounded in the lived experiences of over 500,000 women, our CME- and CE-accredited training gives you the tools, insights, and real-world strategies to recognize, assess, and support women through perimenopause and beyond.
Join a growing movement of clinicians and allied health professionals committed to closing the midlife care gap.
🔗 ⁠Join at www.perry.academy⁠
A membership grounded in evidence-based training, expert-led modules, and the lived insights of 500,000+ women—designed to transform midlife care.
Today’s episode is titled “Heart Health Nutrition in Perimenopause” with Michelle Routhenstein and Laura Okafor. Listen in as we dive into the critical but often overlooked topic of women’s cardiovascular health. Heart disease remains the number one killer of women globally, yet up to 90% of cases are preventable through science-based, targeted nutrition. Join us as we explore how to move beyond basic "healthy eating" to implement medical nutrition therapy that optimizes your labs and protects your heart for longevity! 
You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone!  Download the free Perry App on ⁠Apple⁠ or ⁠Android⁠ and join our live expert talks, receive evidence-based education, connect with other women, and simplify your perimenopause journey.
The ⁠Perry Menopause Journal⁠
Looking for a meaningful way to prioritize your well-being? The Perry Menopause Journal is your companion through perimenopause offering:
Thoughtful Prompts to reflect on your journey.

Progress Tracking to monitor your symptoms and wins.

Evidence-Based Knowledge to empower you.

Community Support to remind you that you’re never alone.

Meet Today’s Experts
Michelle Routhenstein MS RD CDCES CDN is a Registered Dietitian and the owner of Entirely Nourished, a specialized private practice focused on the prevention and management of heart disease. With over 14 years of experience, she uses a science-based, holistic approach to help women address cardiometabolic risk factors and root causes of chronic disease. Michelle holds a Master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU and is committed to empowering individuals to become their own heart health advocates.
Laura Okafor is the founder of OhHelloPerry, the No. 1 Perimenopause App and Community. She is a dedicated advocate for women navigating the complexities of perimenopause. Recently, Laura launched the Perry Academy initiative, which is designed to further her mission of providing women with tangible next steps for managing their health. This academy focuses on empowering doctors/women through structured education and community support, ensuring they have the tools and resources necessary to navigate perimenopause with confidence.
Let’s Connect!
Visit ⁠www.heyperry.com⁠ to learn more.

Download the Perry App on ⁠Apple⁠ or ⁠Android⁠.

If you are a healthcare professional, enroll in ⁠Perry Academy ⁠and join a movement transforming midlife health. 

Explore our resources, guides, and community to make perimenopause less overwhelming and more empowering.

Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek professional medical advice.

Welcome to Perimenopause WTF!, brought to you by ⁠Perry⁠—the #1 perimenopause app and education space. 
The Perry Academy was created for 🎓 Healthcare Providers, to help Transform How You Support Women in Midlife. ⁠Perry Academy⁠ is built for providers ready to lead the charge in perimenopause care. Grounded in the lived experiences of over 500,000 women, our CME- and CE-accredited training gives you the tools, insights, and real-world strategies to recognize, assess, and support women through perimenopause and beyond.
Join a growing movement of clinicians and allied health professionals committed to closing the midlife care gap.
🔗 ⁠Join at www.perry.academy⁠
A membership grounded in evidence-based training, expert-led modules, and the lived insights of 500,000+ women—designed to transform midlife care.
Today’s episode is titled “Perimenopause & Policy” with Claire Gill and Dr. Jayne Morgan. In this episode, we explore the intersection of women’s health, medical advocacy, and legislative policy. National Menopause Foundation founder Claire Gill and Cardiologist Dr. Jayne Morgan discuss the critical need for increased research funding and public awareness regarding women’s cardiovascular health—the number one killer of women—and the unique challenges of the perimenopause transition. From the halls of government to the front lines of medical care, our guests break down how systemic policy changes can better support women at midlife and ensure they have the resources needed to thrive.
You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone!  Download the free Perry App on ⁠Apple⁠ or ⁠Android⁠ and join our live expert talks, receive evidence-based education, connect with other women, and simplify your perimenopause journey.
The ⁠Perry Menopause Journal⁠
Looking for a meaningful way to prioritize your well-being? The Perry Menopause Journal is your companion through perimenopause offering:
Thoughtful Prompts to reflect on your journey.

Progress Tracking to monitor your symptoms and wins.

Evidence-Based Knowledge to empower you.

Community Support to remind you that you’re never alone.

Meet Today’s Experts
Dr. Jayne Morgan is an accomplished cardiologist and the Vice President of Medical Affairs for Hello Heart, where she specializes in women’s health and health equity. A formally trained cardiologist with extensive research experience, she is a recognized on-air medical expert for CNN and previously served as the Executive Director of the COVID Task Force at Piedmont Healthcare. Dr. Morgan is also the creator of the award-winning social media series "The Stairwell Chronicles," designed to provide accessible and factual medical information to the public in a conversational format.
Claire Gill is the Founder of the National Menopause Foundation (NMF) and the CEO of the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF). After a 20-year career in public relations and marketing for national nonprofits, Claire founded the NMF in 2019 to provide a dedicated space for menopause education, peer support, and advocacy. In her role at the BHOF, she has led major initiatives such as the "Break Free from Osteoporosis" campaign and the launch of the National Bone Health Policy Institute, focusing on improving health outcomes for people as they age.
Let’s Connect!
Visit ⁠www.heyperry.com⁠ to learn more.

Download the Perry App on ⁠Apple⁠ or ⁠Android⁠.

If you are a healthcare professional, enroll in ⁠Perry Academy ⁠and join a movement transforming midlife health. 

Explore our resources, guides, and community to make perimenopause less overwhelming and more empowering.

Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek professional medical advice.