039: Hot or Just Me? How Perimenopause Changed Everything

Perimenopause can change everything—from your mood and sleep to your relationships and confidence. In this episode of Navigating Life After 40, host Roni Jai sits down with Carin Luna-Ostaseski to discuss her personal journey through perimenopause, including unexpected symptoms like panic attacks, anxiety, and brain fog. Carin also shares how these experiences led her to create Hot or Just Me, a platform designed to support women navigating menopause. Roni and Carin dive into the struggles many women face, the lack of medical support, and why open conversations about menopause are so important. Topics Covered: Signs and symptoms of perimenopause beyond hot flashes How perimenopause impacts mental health & relationships The importance of self-care and community support The Hot of Just Me journey If you're navigating hormonal changes, mood swings, or just wondering if it’s "hot or just me," this episode is for you! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Navigating Midlife Challenges 02:18 Understanding Perimenopause and Its Symptoms 04:11 Personal Experiences with Anxiety and Panic Attacks 09:38 Navigating Healthcare: Finding Supportive Doctors 13:24 Creating a Community for Women in Midlife 18:25 Normalizing Conversations Around Menopause 24:25 Communicating with Partners About Menopause 28:22 Influence of Personal Journey on Professional Work 31:46 The Importance of Self-Care in Midlife Honorable mentions during the episode: My Fave Supplements to Manage Menopause Symptoms 30-Minute Discovery Session: FREE Join the Facebook Community: Navigating Life After 40 Save 20% using code NAVIGATE at www.blackgirlvitamins.co Save $5 off any order using code LIFEAFTER40 at banish.com Glasses are from Vooglam Watch full episode on YouTube