Hormone shifts don’t always scream — they whisper. If you’re living with type 1 diabetes, even subtle changes can throw everything off. In this episode, Melissa dives into why paying attention matters and how to use tools like the Greene Climacteric Scale to get clarity and confidence in midlife.

Melissa shares:

• Why you shouldn’t dismiss feeling “off” as just aging
• A client story of regaining focus, balance, and energy after starting HRT
• The subtle symptoms that whisper: anxiety, irritability, brain fog, weight gain, slower recovery, and aches and pains
• Self-check questions to ask: Am I sleeping deeply? Has my focus shifted? Do I feel like myself most days?
• How the Greene Climacteric Scale helps track patterns, validate your experiences, and start better conversations with your doctor

In our Type 1 in Midlife Circle, we’re using the Greene Climacteric Scale to measure and track symptoms together — so no woman must navigate this season alone.

Don’t brush off what’s changing. Pay attention, act, and surround yourself with women who understand both diabetes and midlife hormones.

Join us in the Circle https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025 to start using this tool for yourself.

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

Menopause is about more than hot flashes—it also affects vaginal and urinary health. In this episode, Melissa Slemp and Kim Hines get candid about their decision to start vaginal estrogen, even without obvious symptoms, and how it can support long-term wellness.

They dive into genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), share the benefits of vaginal estrogen, and highlight proactive steps women can take to protect their health. From intimacy to bladder health, Melissa and Kim answer common questions about safety, cost, diabetes management, and working with your doctor.

This conversation is an honest look at why prevention matters, the importance of speaking openly about women’s health, and how to confidently explore your options with the right information and support.

Melissa and Kim share:

• Why vaginal estrogen is different from systemic HRT.
• The common symptoms it can help prevent dryness, painful sex, UTIs, and bladder leakage.
• Our personal experiences starting it, even without symptoms—as a proactive choice.
• What we’ve learned from experts like Dr. Kelly Casperson and Dr. Rachel Rubin.
• Questions to ask your doctor if you’re considering it.
• Practical tips on application, types available (cream, suppositories, ring), and cost.

Takeaway: Vaginal estrogen isn’t just about comfort, it’s about prevention, confidence, and quality of life as we age with diabetes and beyond.

Connect with Kim @kimhyneshealth and Melissa @type1.in.midlife on Instagram for ongoing support, inspiration, and opportunities to join their communities.

Two experts we mention:

Dr. Kelly Casperson

Dr. Rachel Rubin

Connect with Kim Hynes:

Emotional Eats Podcast with Kim Hynes — Kim Hynes Health & Wellness

IG @kimhyneshealth

Website

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

Host Melissa Slemp, a certified hormone health coach and T1D warrior of 43+ years, uncovers what doctors don’t always tell us: how perimenopause and post-menopause impact diabetes, weight, mood, and long-term health.

Need a place where you feel understood and supported?
Come check out our Type 1 in Midlife Community—where we rebuild energy, resilience, and faith together. Join a caring community of women and get expert support to confidently manage diabetes and menopause.

Try it free for 14 days! https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025

In this conversation, Melissa dives into the importance of hormone replacement therapy for women—especially those living with diabetes. She challenges common misconceptions about menopause, shares the real benefits of HRT, and emphasizes why open conversations with healthcare providers are critical.

Drawing from both research and personal experience, Melissa highlights how outdated studies continue to fuel fear and silence around HRT. Her goal: to give women the tools and confidence to make informed decisions about their health.

Topics covered:

· HRT offers far more than hot flash relief—it supports long-term health.

· Many women with diabetes aren’t told about the advantages of HRT.

· HRT can improve insulin sensitivity, making diabetes easier to manage.

· Conversations about hormone therapy are often missing in women’s healthcare.

· Personal stories reveal the real impact of low hormones on daily life.

· The 2002 WHI study created unnecessary fear around HRT.

· Women must advocate for themselves and seek accurate information.

· Bioidentical hormones may be a safer, more effective option.

· It’s never too late to explore hormone replacement.

· Education and awareness are key to empowering women’s health decisions.

Screenshot this episode and share it on Instagram—tag @type1inmidlife

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

This week’s episode is a very personal one. Melissa (age 58, now post-menopause) and Kelly (age 41, navigating perimenopause) open up about their real-life journeys through hormonal shifts, type 1 diabetes, and everything in between.

📖 Book Announcement: This conversation is also a celebration—Melissa’s upcoming book is set to launch in early 2026, and Kelly will be a featured contributor alongside other women’s health experts.
Together, they’re creating a survival guide for women with T1D, LADA, and MODY, covering everything from monthly cycles to menopause.

For an early look, download the free guide HRT & T1D: The What, When & How on Hormone Replacement— https://abundant-health-with-melissa.kit.com/hrtandtype1diabetes

You’ll get a sneak peek of what’s inside the book, plus prelaunch access and insider updates along the way.

Kelly Schmidt, a regular contributor here on the show, has helped thousands of people with T1D thrive and prevent complications through personalized nutrition. With more than 12 years of experience, she’s a registered dietitian, fitness instructor, wife, and mom of two.

As the founder of Kelly Schmidt Wellness, LLC, she helps ambitious men and women support their metabolism and nutrition with proven functional strategies—blending her professional expertise with her lived experience of type 1 diabetes to pave the way for others to thrive using functional, sustainable tools.

We open up about:

· How hormone changes first showed up in our lives—and how long it took to connect the dots

· The role of stress, thyroid, and inflammation in shaping symptoms

· Our experiences with hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—what worked, what didn’t, and why no two women’s protocols look the same

· The misconceptions we both had about hormones before we started

· Practical strategies that have helped us manage erratic blood sugars, sleep, cravings, mood swings, and energy through midlife

· Why we’re passionate about sharing these stories openly—and how they’re shaping the upcoming book [insert working title]

If you’ve ever wondered “Is it just me?” when it comes to midlife symptoms, you’ll feel right at home here.

Got questions for Kelly and me? Reach out via the links below—we’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Kelly Schmidt:

Website

IG @diabeticdietitian/

YouTube

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

Today I open up about a season of my life when fear of complications—after being diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy—drove me into a cycle of perfectionism with my blood sugars.

Need a place where you feel understood and supported?
Come check out our Type 1 in Midlife coaching circle—where we rebuild energy, resilience, and faith together. Join a caring community of women and get expert support to confidently manage diabetes and menopause.

Try it free for 14 days! https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025

I share the heavy toll it took on my health, family, and peace of mind, and the three red flags that perfectionism may be running your diabetes.

More importantly, I walk you through two mindset shifts that helped me finally break free: learning to influence instead of control and choosing curiosity over judgment.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted from chasing perfect numbers or burdened by guilt after every reading, this episode is for you. You’ll leave encouraged to loosen your grip, find more freedom in your diabetes care, and discover that peace—not perfection—is what truly protects your health.

Topics I cover:

• Melissa shares her fear of blood and diabetes management.
• Perfectionism can hinder effective diabetes management.
• Community support is crucial for emotional well-being.
• Recognizing red flags can help in managing diabetes better.
• It's important to celebrate small victories in blood sugar management.
• Mindset shifts can lead to a healthier relationship with diabetes.
• Control is an illusion; influence is the goal.
• Avoiding social situations due to diabetes can be detrimental.
• Self-judgment can lead to increased stress and anxiety.
• Finding joy in life with diabetes is possible.

Screenshot this episode and share it on Instagram—tag @type1inmidlife to join the conversation.

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

If you've ever found an insulin that just works—one that gives you flexibility through puberty, pregnancy, or perimenopause—imagine having it pulled from the shelves.

That’s exactly what’s happening with Levemir (insulin detemir) in the U.S., and soon, around the world.

In this episode, I’m joined by Alison Smart, President of the Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice. Alison’s daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13, and Levemir became the insulin that allowed her to stay active, stable, and in control—especially as a teen athlete.

We talk about:

· Why Levemir’s shorter duration gives it unique flexibility

· How hormonal shifts—especially during perimenopause or pregnancy—make this insulin essential

· The real reason Levemir is being phased out (spoiler: it has nothing to do with safety or effectiveness)

· What the Alliance is doing to protect access and create a biosimilar option

· Why limiting our insulin options is a dangerous step backwards in diabetes care

Whether you're using a pump or injections, are newly diagnosed or decades in—this conversation is for anyone who believes patients deserve options.

🔗 Links mentioned in the episode:

· Learn more & support the mission: https://chng.it/qLqYjqhcLv

· https://alliancetoprotectinsulinchoice.org

· Follow on social:

X: @insulinchoice

IG: @alliancetoprotectinsulinchoice

Facebook

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

In this episode, Melissa sits down with Lindsay Cohen, a St. Louis-based Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and founder of Mama-Betes. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 9, Lindsay brings both lived experience and deep professional expertise to her work with women — especially moms — navigating the daily realities of diabetes, nutrition, and family life.

We cover:

• Lindsay’s diagnosis story and what inspired her career path
• The unique challenges moms with T1D face, from pregnancy to parenting
• Practical tips for simplifying nutrition and meal planning (yes, dinner can be a 10-minute “multi-meal”!)
• The evolving conversation around GLP-1 medications in Type 1 diabetes, including Lindsay’s personal experience with micro-dosing Ozempic
• The importance of planning, self-care, and community for women balancing diabetes, motherhood, and everything in between
• How to release the pressure of “perfect” nutrition and instead focus on what really matters

Lindsay’s mission is simple: take the stress and confusion out of diabetes and nutrition — and make it feel approachable, realistic, and even enjoyable.

Connect with Lindsay Cohen:

• Website
• Article about getting a GLP-1 prescribed
• Article about being prescribed a GLP-1
• IG @mamabetesblog
• Free Facebook community for women with T1D on or interested in GLP-1s
• The Ultimate Guide to Navigating GLP-1 Medications with Type 1 Diabetes (freebie)
• If you want to include a link to my e-book, the GLP-1 + T1D Starter guide, it is available here for $19.99

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

In this empowering episode, I’m joined by Dr. Beck Hoehn—a licensed acupuncturist, board-certified herbalist, and fertility specialist based in Los Angeles. With a doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, Dr. Hoehn helps women move through hormonal chaos with the wisdom of Eastern medicine and the precision of personalized care.

We explore how acupuncture and herbal medicine can support perimenopause and menopause—especially for women with autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes. From regulating the HPOA axis to relieving vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and sleep disruption, Dr. Hoehn explains how we can get ahead of symptoms and use natural tools to reclaim balance.

She also breaks down:

· Why urine metabolite testing gives better insight than labs alone

· The power of adaptogenic herbs like Vitex (chasteberry)

· When it’s safe—or not safe—to combine herbs with HRT

· How cycle tracking needs to evolve in perimenopause

· The emotional weight of midlife symptoms and how to advocate for better care

If you’ve ever felt dismissed or told to “just wait it out,” this episode offers real hope, grounded strategies, and new ways to feel seen and supported.

Connect with Dr. Hoehn

IG @drbeckhoehn

Website - Dr. Hoehn’s clinic and upcoming telehealth

Mentioned in the Episode:

Urine Metabolite Kit

Resources page: https://www.drbeckhoehn.com/freeguides

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.