Nobody Warned Us: Perimenopause & Black Women episode artwork

EPISODE · May 6, 2026 · 19 MIN

Nobody Warned Us: Perimenopause & Black Women

from Be Well Sis: The Podcast

Black women enter perimenopause earlier, experience more severe symptoms, and are significantly less likely to receive adequate treatment. Dr. Cassandre breaks down the research, names what so many women have been living through without language, and gives you the tools to advocate for yourself in any medical setting.What we cover:Why perimenopause can start in your 30s — not just your 50sThe symptoms most commonly misdiagnosed as stress, anxiety, or depressionWhat the data says about Black women — earlier onset, more severe symptoms, and a significant treatment gapThe connection between chronic stress, structural racism, and accelerated reproductive agingFibroids, heavy bleeds, and the generational pattern nobody talks aboutWhat to say to your doctor and exactly which tests to ask for by nameWhy normal lab results do not rule out perimenopauseThis episode is for the woman who has been dismissed. For the woman whose mother and aunties suffered through things they never had a name for. And for every Black woman who deserves to walk into a medical appointment prepared and impossible to ignore.Episodes mentioned:Dr Kameelah Phillips: https://youtu.be/dnwlrgtI3d0?si=L6uP1R6lH6UaCi8PBrain Fog: https://youtu.be/uzuYgxlRJs0?si=g4zPijo3k5M42C6B Check out https://thebewellsis.com/ for more resources!Connect with Be Well, Sis:Instagram – @bewellsis_podcastSubstack – bewellsis.substack.comFollow, rate, and share this episode!We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have your own Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Black women enter perimenopause earlier, experience more severe symptoms, and are significantly less likely to receive adequate treatment. Dr. Cassandre breaks down the research, names what so many women have been living through without language, and gives you the tools to advocate for yourself in any medical setting. What we cover:Why perimenopause can start in your 30s — not just your 50sThe symptoms most commonly misdiagnosed as stress, anxiety, or depressionWhat the data says about Black women — earlier onset, more severe symptoms, and a significant treatment gapThe connection between chronic stress, structural racism, and accelerated reproductive agingFibroids, heavy bleeds, and the generational pattern nobody talks aboutWhat to say to your doctor and exactly which tests to ask for by nameWhy normal lab results do not rule out perimenopause This episode is for the woman who has been dismissed. For the woman whose mother and aunties suffered through things they never had a name for. And for every Black woman who deserves to walk into a medical appointment prepared and impossible to ignore. Episodes mentioned: Dr Kameelah Phillips: https://youtu.be/dnwlrgtI3d0?si=L6uP1R6lH6UaCi8P Brain Fog: https://youtu.be/uzuYgxlRJs0?si=g4zPijo3k5M42C6B Check out https://thebewellsis.com/ for more resources! Connect with Be Well, Sis: Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast Substack – bewellsis.substack.com Follow, rate, and share this episode! We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact. Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have your own Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show! Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Nobody Warned Us: Perimenopause & Black Women

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This episode is 19 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 6, 2026.

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Black women enter perimenopause earlier, experience more severe symptoms, and are significantly less likely to receive adequate treatment. Dr. Cassandre breaks down the research, names what so many women have been living through without language,...

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