EPISODE · May 13, 2026 · 39 MIN
103 | Learning To Trust Your Body Again After Surgical Menopause With Julie Parana
from Pleasure in the Pause: Midlife Conversations About Menopause, Sex & Pleasure · host Gabriella Espinosa
What happens when a healthcare professional goes through surgical menopause at 42 and is handed nothing but a message in her patient portal that says "you are post-menopausal"? No education. No discussion. No next steps. Just a diagnosis and silence.That is exactly what happened to Julie Parana. And even as an occupational therapist who spent her days supporting patients through major health challenges, she found herself doing what so many women do — minimizing her symptoms, pushing through the pain, and waiting far too long to ask for help.Julie Parana, MS, OTR/L, CWHS, is an Occupational Therapist, Certified Women’s Health Specialist, Menopause Coach, and founder of The Menopause OT - Menopause Coaching, a virtual practice empowering women to feel informed, supported, and in control through perimenopause and menopause. She works with women at every stage of this transition, including early, surgical, or treatment-induced changesTogether, we talk about: ✨ What adenomyosis is and why it goes undiagnosed for so long✨ How surgical menopause differs from natural menopause✨ The five lifestyle pillars that help women feel like themselves again✨ Why affirmations feel awkward at first and why they work anyway ✨ How to start small, build slowly, and actually stick to midlife wellness habitsJulie spent years dismissing her own symptoms because she was too busy caring for everyone else. What she learned on the other side of that is something every woman in this community needs to hear: menopause does not have to mean years of needless suffering. There is so much available to you. But you have to prioritize yourself first. No one is coming to do that for you. If you're seeking to reclaim your pleasure and vitality, join Gabriella at www.pleasureinthepause.com for this enlightening journey into the heart of female pleasure and empowerment.CONNECT WITH JULIE PARANA:WebsiteInstagramCONNECT WITH GABRIELLA ESPINOSA:InstagramLinkedInWork with Gabriella! Full episodes on YouTube.The information shared on Pleasure in the Pause is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Pleasure in the Pause.
What this episode covers
What happens when a healthcare professional goes through surgical menopause at 42 and is handed nothing but a message in her patient portal that says "you are post-menopausal"? No education. No discussion. No next steps. Just a diagnosis and silence. That is exactly what happened to Julie Parana. And even as an occupational therapist who spent her days supporting patients through major health challenges, she found herself doing what so many women do — minimizing her symptoms, pushing through ...
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103 | Learning To Trust Your Body Again After Surgical Menopause With Julie Parana
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