This Is Perimenopause: Menopause, Perimenopause and Women's Health in Midlife

We asked our community what their perimenopause sleep wishes were. Turns out, we’re all looking for the same things: to stay asleep, wake up without pain, stop the duvet dance, and for the love of all things holy, to feel rested again.

In this episode, we sat down with Endy insiders, Erin Gray and Van Kutrowski and discovered that we can’t blame all our sleepless nights on hormones and stress. It could be that our mattresses are the missing piece in our perimenopausal sleep toolkits.

In this episode:
Why temperature fluctuations during sleep could be a sign your sleep environment needs an upgrade
Why you might be waking up with hip and shoulder pain and why side sleepers need to pay special attention
Why the mattress that worked perfectly in your 30s may not be cutting it anymore, because you've changed, even if your mattress hasn't
How your partner (or your dog) could be the reason you’re waking at 2 a.m., and what to do about it
Why your pillow could be sabotaging an otherwise great mattress, and how to find the right loft for the way you sleep
The bedding and layering strategies that work with your cooling mattress instead of against it

Don't miss this one. Let Erin and Van help you reclaim your rest so that you can rise to shine!

This episode is part of our Endy Reclaim Your Rest Sleep Series - helping you wake up rested, focused, and ready to take on whatever the day brings.

Endy is Canada’s leading online mattress brand, trusted by over 1 million sleepers. Endy’s mattresses are designed to keep you cool and supported all night long, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day. With three comfort options—plush, medium-firm, and firm—you can find the perfect fit for your body and sleep style. And the best part? Endy delivers straight to your door, so upgrading your sleep is simpler than ever. Check them out at endy.com and use code THISISPERIMENOPAUSE100 for $100 off.

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Erin Gray Bio
Erin has held progressive roles within the world of CX in a variety of different industries. Starting her career in Financial Services she has led CX teams in banking, insurance, lending, omni-channel retail and senior living residences. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Customer Experience, supporting many of the Direct-to-Consumer sleep brands including Endy.

Van Kutrowski Bio
Van Kutrowski is the Manager of Retail and Product Experience at Endy, where she’s been for the past four years. She works at the intersection of product, retail, and customer experience, shaping strategy grounded in customer insights. With over ten years in product development, she’s deeply customer-obsessed and the go-to for product, insights, and all things sleep.

Links for this episode
Endy Website
Endy on Instagram
MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones

Dans cette conversation éclairante, le Dre Karen Desrosiers démystifie la phase souvent mal comprise de la périménopause — des symptômes surprenants aux mythes courants, en passant par les lacunes dans les soins médicaux.

La discussion met en lumière pourquoi de nombreuses femmes se sentent ignorées ou confuses durant cette transition, comment les symptômes vont bien au-delà des bouffées de chaleur, et pourquoi une meilleure éducation — tant pour les patientes que pour les professionnels de la santé — est essentielle.

Si vous vous êtes déjà dit « je ne me sens plus moi-même » sans pouvoir expliquer pourquoi, cet épisode est pour vous.

Dans cet épisode:
Les symptômes de la périménopause comme des changements d’humeur, troubles du sommeil, migraines et irritabilité sont souvent des signes précoces et mal compris.
Les troubles du sommeil en périménopause sont biologiquement différents de l’insomnie classique, ce qui explique pourquoi les médicaments habituels peuvent être inefficaces.
Les tests hormonaux sont souvent trompeurs en périménopause en raison des fluctuations constantes — le traitement doit se baser sur les symptômes, et non sur les résultats de laboratoire.
Il n’existe pas de solution universelle — les soins doivent être personnalisés, et ce qui fonctionne pour une femme ne convient pas nécessairement à une autre.
La périménopause demeure sous-étudiée, avec un besoin important de meilleurs traitements, de lignes directrices plus claires et d’une meilleure formation pour les médecins et les patientes.

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Biographie: Dre Karen Desrosiers
Le Dre Karen Desrosiers est une obstétricienne- gynécologue et médecin certifié en ménopause par The Menopause Society. Elle a étudié la médecine et fait sa spécialisation à l’Université de Sherbrooke, province de Québec.
De 2004 à 2015 Dre Desrosiers a été un membre précieux de l’équipe d’obstétrique et de gynécologie de l’Hôpital de Moncton et professeur associé à l’Université Dalhousie et à l’Université Memorial. Elle travaille au sein du Réseau de santé Horizon au Nouveau-Brunswick depuis 2004 et depuis 2020 à la clinique Reconnect Health Center de Moncton, une clinique specialisée en santé de la femme.
Elle a developpé un intérêt en pathologies vulvo-vaginales ainsi qu’en ménopause et elle est la représentante Atlantique sur le conseil d’administration de la Société de Ménopause Canadienne. Dre Desrosiers contribue activement à la diffusion des connaissances médicales en donnant des conférences médicales en plus de diverses sorties médiatiques.

Liens pour cet épisode
Sites web fiables sur la ménopause recommandés par le Dre Karen Desrosiers:
MQ6.ca
Menopause.org
menopausefoundationcanada.ca
menopauseandu.ca
Sigmamenopause.com
Menopauseinformation.ca
www.gynqi.com

Instagram:
Professor Susan Davis
Karen Tang, MD - Gyn Surgeon

Livres:
The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter

Sites Web sur l’insomnie:
Mysleepwell.ca/mieux-dormir.ca
stellarsleep.com
thensf.org/sleep-health-topics
sleepfoundation.org
aasm.org

Applications de méditation de pleine conscience:
Insign Timer
Headspace
Calm

Ever felt dismissed, confused, or just plain abandoned by the healthcare system when it comes to perimenopause? Then this episode is for you.

Meet Dr. Michelle Jacobson, gynecologist, menopause oncology specialist, and co-founder of the virtual clinic Coven Women's Health. She's the doctor other doctors call on complex women’s health issues — and today, she's here for you.

In this episode:
Why perimenopausal women are the hardest and most underserved group in women's healthcare; and why even great doctors struggle to help them
The truth about the WHI study. What the headlines got wrong, and what the data actually says
Why women with a history of cancer don't have to miss out on quality of life and new non-hormonal options available to them
The story behind Coven Women's Health and why every patient gets Dr. Jacobson's eyes on their care
How you can thrive through perimenopause
Why Dr. Jacobson thinks the most important thing you can do right now has nothing to do with hormones

Plus — the meaning behind the names Coven and Hysterical Women (her podcast), and why we all want to be witches now.
This one is packed with the kind of honest, evidence-based, no-BS information that every woman in midlife deserves. We left feeling smarter, more empowered, and honestly a little fired up.

Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is Perimenopause
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Dr. Michelle Jacobson
Dr. Michelle Jacobson is working to redefine the standard of care for women in Canada by scaling access to her expertise in Menopause, Menopause Oncology, and Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome.

She's been referred to as "the doctor that other doctors call" when they need to consult on complex women's gynaecological health issues. They call her because of her curiosity, education, research, and clinical experience with conditions and symptoms that impact women, from first period to last. They become her respected colleagues and friends because of her reputation as a physician who is incredibly collaborative, caring, and loyal.

Dr. Jacobson is especially passionate about perimenopause and the menopause transition — through her research and clinical practice, she sees how many women unnecessarily experience a decline in quality of life during midlife. She funnels that passion and advocacy into educating other physicians, policymakers, and the general public on the urgency for changes to medical protocols and for greater support for menopausal women.

As a BRCA gene carrier herself, she is equally passionate about assessing and managing hereditary cancer risk. Committed to advancing early detection, treatment, and patient support, her research in this area has led to the development of a national community of practice in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer that she created and chairs.

At the intersection of both of her passions, she has used her research and clinical experience in menopause — particularly premature menopause due to oncologic therapies, hereditary cancer syndromes, and Turner's Syndrome — to provide a niche contribution to the global literature.
Bottom line: she cares deeply for women and their wellbeing, and she is committed to making patient-centric changes to our standard of care.

Links for this episode
Follow Coven Women’s Health on Instagram
Follow the Hysterical Women Podcast
Coven Women’s Health

In this episode, Dr. Woganee Filate, sleep specialist and co-founder of Lume Women + Health, is back on the show to break down the science of sleep and why it may be the single most powerful thing you can do for your long-term health. From protecting your brain to keeping your heart healthy, Dr. Woganee explains what's actually happening while you sleep — and what's at stake when you don't.

In this episode:
Why both sleep quality and quantity matter for our health and healthspan
What’s happening in our brains as we sleep
The different stages of sleep explained
Why deep sleep is your best defense against dementia
The link between inconsistent sleep and heart disease risk
How poor sleep affects your metabolism, blood pressure, and inflammation
How poor sleep may be accelerating your biological aging at a cellular level
How to recognize and address sleep disruption during perimenopause
Plus, a sneak peek at Dr. Woganee's upcoming book, a science-backed guide to sleeping through perimenopause and beyond

You don't have to accept poor sleep. There's so much within your control, and this episode with Dr. Woganee will show you where to start.

This episode is part of our Endy Reclaim Your Rest Sleep Series - helping you wake up rested, focused, and ready to take on whatever the day brings.

Endy is Canada’s leading online mattress brand, trusted by over 1 million sleepers. Endy’s mattresses are designed to keep you cool and supported all night long, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day. With three comfort options—plush, medium-firm, and firm—you can find the perfect fit for your body and sleep style. And the best part? Endy delivers straight to your door, so upgrading your sleep is simpler than ever. Check them out at endy.com.

Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is Perimenopause
Subscribe to our Substack
Email us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
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Dr. Woganee Filate Bio
Dr. Woganee Filate is a passionate and dedicated adult respirologist and sleep medicine physician committed to providing comprehensive, evidence-based and patient-centered care. She has a wealth of experience in diagnosing and managing respiratory and sleep disorders. Her interests include educating patients on the changes in sleep during the menopause transition and what can be done to optimize sleep during this key life stage. In addition to her medical degree, Dr. Filate holds a Master of Health Science, with a focus on Community Health & Epidemiology, from the University of Toronto.

Links for this episode
Lume Women + Health
Follow Dr. Woganee on Instagram
Follow Lume Women + Health on Instagram
Subscribe to Lume Women + Health Substack

More pleasurable and satisfying sex is all in your mind.

If you’ve been struggling with low libido or sexual anxiety then this episode’s for you.

Dr. Lori Brotto, renowned psychologist, sex researcher, and author of "Better Sex Through Mindfulness," and Elayne Wandler, CEO of eSense Health are on a mission to transform our sexual health. They’re sharing insights on how mindfulness can help women tune into their bodies to have more fulfilling intimate experiences.

In this episode:
The science behind mindfulness and its impact on sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction
How to overcome common roadblocks like distraction, self-judgment, and sexual pain
The difference between responsive and spontaneous desire, and why it matters for your sex life
Why "neutral to arousal to desire" is common and perfectly normal
Practical tips and mindfulness exercises to enhance your sex life and relationships
A sneak peak into eSense, a digital platform that’s going to revolutionize our sexual health landscape

Whether you're single, partnered, or anywhere in between, this episode will arm you with the insights and strategies you need to develop a more present, connected, and pleasurable approach to sex and intimacy.

Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is Perimenopause
Subscribe to our Substack
Email us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.
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Dr Lori Brotto
Dr. Lori Brotto is a renowned figure in women's sexual health. A Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, she holds a Canada Research Chair focused on developing safe, accessible treatments for sexual concerns in women. Committed to equity, she champions digital health technologies to broaden access to care.

Dr. Brotto also serves as Executive Director for the Women's Health Research Institute, supporting nearly 700 members across BC in advancing all aspects of women's health research.

She has appeared in the media, including Netflix's "The Principles of Pleasure," CBC Gem's "The Big Sex Talk," and a Masterclass on the Magic of Menopause. She has authored two mindfulness-focused books: "Better Sex Through Mindfulness" (2018) and "The Better Sex Through Mindfulness Workbook" (2022), and the 2018 book appears in the New York Times top 8 sexual health books (2024). She has received a UBC Public Education Through Media award (2023).

As a Registered Psychologist in BC, Dr. Brotto works with individuals seeking to enhance their sexual well-being and believes in the power of lived experiences to shape science. An advocate for women's leadership, she encourages young women to pursue careers in STEM and engages with the public via social media (@DrLoriBrotto and @ubcshr).

Elayne Wandler
Elayne is a seasoned life sciences executive with over two decades of experience bringing medical innovations to market. As CEO of eSense Health, she leads the company's mission to close the gap in women's sexual health through evidence-based, accessible digital care.

Her career began at Abbott Laboratories (now AbbVie), followed by commercial and communications roles at QLT Inc., where she helped launch Visudyne—the first treatment for age-related macular degeneration. She later served as Director of Corporate Development and Marketing at Sonic Incytes, and in a leadership role at Accel-Rx, supporting early-stage Canadian ventures.

Combining strategic insight with a strong track record across life sciences, Elayne is passionate about challenging stigma, unlocking access, and driving impact through science and storytelling. Under her leadership, eSense is now entering commercialization following successful clinical validation and growing recognition.

Links for this episode
Follow Dr. Brotto on Instagram
Follow eSense on Instagram
Learn more about eSense
Buy the book - Better Sex Through Mindfulness