Girlfriends... if your sleep, mood, memory, or libido feels different lately, you’re not imagining it—and it may not be “just aging.” In this episode of The Becoming Years, Alina talks with nurse practitioner Nora Lersch about perimenopause, menopause, hormones, and why women deserve to be heard by a medical community seemingly unwilling to listen.

Nora brings more than 30 years of nursing experience, including menopause care and oncology. She runs a sexual health and menopause clinic for cancer patients in Portland, OR, helping women navigate symptoms that can follow cancer treatment. Hormone therapy may be an option for some people with a cancer history, but it depends on the cancer and each person’s circumstances. When hormones aren’t suitable, other ways to address symptoms may still be considered.

Together, Alina and Nora unpack why perimenopause can begin years before periods change—and why a single hormone test may not tell the whole story. They also revisit the Women’s Health Initiative, discuss hormone therapy options, and talk about the barriers many women face when seeking care.

You’ll hear about symptoms that can show up beyond hot flashes. Nora also shares why bone health matters, why painful sex should never be brushed aside, and why libido deserves a thoughtful, whole-person conversation. They discuss supplements, treatment timelines, insurance costs, and the importance of finding a clinician who listens. The reassuring takeaway: care isn’t one-size-fits-all, and you don’t have to navigate these changes alone.

Nora is accepting new patients for in-person and virtual visits and can be contacted through her website at https://noralerschdnp.com/

Timestamp:
00:00 - Why women need to learn about menopause earlier
01:49 - Nora’s experience in menopause care and oncology
03:38 - Considering menopause treatment after cancer
05:01 - When perimenopause may begin
06:38 - Symptoms that can be easy to miss
09:51 - The Women’s Health Initiative and hormone therapy
13:02 - When hormone testing can help
20:35 - What “menopause” means
21:25 - Hormone therapy and bone health
23:45 - Hormone therapy delivery options
27:57 - Libido and a whole-person approach
31:01 - Pain, consent, and intimacy
33:58 - Supplements and safety considerations
45:13 - Insurance and medication costs
55:19 - Finding a clinician who listens

Find Nora Here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora_lersch_dnp
Website: https://noralerschdnp.com/

Alina's Resources:

- Get Alina's Book! Thoughtful Aging - Restoring Honor to the Aging Process: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7D92HZ5/

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingYears

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