Episode 8: Starting HRT — Hope, Questions, and Listening to My Body

For a long time, I knew something felt different—but I didn’t understand why.

The anxiety. The brain fog. The changes in my sleep, energy, emotions, and ability to handle everyday life. I spent far too much time wondering what was wrong with me before I began asking a different question:

Could perimenopause be part of what I’m experiencing?

In this episode of Midlife With Melissa, I’m sharing my personal experience researching hormone replacement therapy, choosing telehealth care, beginning HRT, and what I’ve noticed during my first several weeks of treatment.

I’ll also share why having a provider I can communicate with has mattered so much to me, what I’ve learned about becoming an active participant in my own healthcare, and the very real brain-fog mistake that resulted in me taking my morning and nighttime medications at the wrong times for five days—and the simple system I use now so I don’t have to rely on memory alone.

This episode is not about telling another woman to choose HRT.

It’s about awareness.

It’s about learning what questions to ask.

And it’s about recognizing that when something in your mind or body feels different, you deserve the opportunity to understand why.

I especially hope younger women hear this conversation, because education about perimenopause shouldn’t begin only after we’ve spent years wondering what happened to us.

You don’t need to have every answer today.

Sometimes hope begins simply by asking the first question.

💛 I’ve been saving you a seat.

Important Disclosure & Disclaimer:
In this episode, I mention Winona, the telehealth provider I personally chose for my care. At the time this episode was recorded and published, I am not a Winona ambassador and have not received payment, free services, discounts, products, or any other benefit for mentioning the company. This is not a sponsored episode or paid endorsement.

I am sharing my personal experience for informational and educational purposes only. I am not a physician or other medical professional, and this podcast is not medical advice. Hormone therapy is not appropriate for everyone, and individual benefits, risks, medications, dosages, and treatment decisions vary. Please discuss your symptoms, medical history, medications, treatment options, and any medication questions or concerns with a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist.