Chasing Life: Episode Summary – "Making Sense of Menopause"

Introduction

In the May 9, 2025 episode of CNN's "Chasing Life," host Meg Tirrell delves into the complex and often misunderstood topic of menopause. Aimed at demystifying the physiological and emotional changes women experience during this transitional phase, the episode features an insightful conversation with Dr. Jen Gunter, a renowned gynecologist and author of the New York Times bestseller The Menopause Manifesto. Together, they explore the nuances of perimenopause and menopause, debunk prevalent myths, and discuss the impact of social media on women's perceptions of this life stage.

Changing Conversations: Samantha Bee’s Perspective

The episode opens with Meg Tirrell sharing her recent discussion with Emmy-winning writer and comedian Samantha Bee. Bee reflects on the evolving discourse surrounding menopause:

Samantha Bee (02:12): "Less than 10 years ago, nobody was talking about menopause... Mention it and you are just like a witch crone who lives in a cave."

Bee emphasizes the shift from taboo silence to open conversations, highlighting the generational changes spearheaded by Gen X in making menopause a more approachable topic.

Expert Insights with Dr. Jen Gunter

Dr. Jen Gunter joins Meg Tirrell to provide a medical perspective on menopause. Their conversation is structured around several key themes:

1. Understanding Perimenopause vs. Menopause (04:13 - 09:05)

   Dr. Gunter clarifies the distinction between perimenopause—the transitional phase leading up to menopause—and menopause itself, which is officially diagnosed after a year without menstruation. She explains that perimenopause typically begins around age 45 and can last between four to ten years, during which women may experience a range of symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations.

   Meg Tirrell (04:34): "So there's, you have a lot of changes with menopause. Sanjay has agreed to pass me the mic for part two of our deep dive into menopause."

2. Common Symptoms and Health Impacts (09:05 - 12:30)

   The discussion outlines common symptoms such as irregular bleeding, hot flashes, brain fog, disturbed sleep, joint pain, depression, heart palpitations, and vaginal dryness. Dr. Gunter also touches on long-term health risks like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

   Dr. Jen Gunter (10:22): "Some people don't realize symptoms are related to menopause until they're in the middle of it."

3. Cultural and Linguistic Influences (10:43 - 11:57)

   Dr. Gunter highlights how terminology affects women's experiences, noting that cultures referring to menopause as a "change of life" tend to report fewer bothersome symptoms.

   Meg Tirrell (10:59): "It's not unsexy anymore. We need to have a level playing field in terminology."

4. Hormone Therapy and Supplements (12:30 - 17:04)

   The conversation delves into hormone replacement therapy (HRT), its benefits, and misconceptions propagated by the supplement industry. Dr. Gunter warns against the unregulated promotion of supplements on social media, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based treatments.

   Podcast Host (14:10): "If somebody's got an individual health concern, obviously if you know you're low in iron, you need an iron supplement. Right. Things like that."

   Dr. Jen Gunter (19:46): "Menopause hormone therapy has been proven to be helpful for hot flashes and prevention of osteoporosis."

5. The Role of Social Media and Misinformation (17:14 - 27:34)

   Both Meg and Dr. Gunter express concerns over the proliferation of misinformation on social platforms. They discuss how fear-based marketing and unverified claims can mislead women, leading to unnecessary anxiety and poor health decisions.

   Meg Tirrell (24:23): "People need to be very careful about first of all researching laterally... Look at what they're selling and the whole totality."

   Dr. Jen Gunter (26:38): "Repetition on platforms like Instagram can be mistaken for accuracy."

6. Weight Gain and Metabolic Changes (19:26 - 23:43)

   Addressing the common concern of weight gain during menopause, the speakers clarify that while overall weight tends to increase with age, the distribution of fat may shift towards the midsection. They debunk myths linking menopause directly to weight gain, noting that factors like sleep disturbances and decreased muscle mass play significant roles.

   Podcast Host (21:12): "Menopause hormone therapy is the gold standard for hot flashes and night sweats, not for weight loss."

7. Emotional Well-being and Rage (30:20 - 32:12)

   The episode touches on the emotional turmoil some women face during menopause, including feelings of rage and frustration. Dr. Gunter emphasizes the importance of considering both physiological changes and external stressors, such as caregiving responsibilities, that may contribute to these emotions.

   Podcast Host (30:24): "It's enraging to not have your symptoms taken seriously."

Embracing Authenticity: Chasing Life

Concluding the episode, Meg Tirrell shares her personal approach to "chasing life" amidst the challenges of menopause. She advocates for authenticity and self-acceptance as key tools for navigating this life stage with joy and resilience.

Podcast Host (32:30): "Being your authentic you to me is the most liberating thing possible."

Dr. Gunter echoes the sentiment, highlighting the value and wisdom that women accrue beyond their reproductive years.

Dr. Jen Gunter (27:55): "Women in menopause have historically been incredible contributors to their society... There’s a lot of collective wisdom that we have as we age."

Conclusion

"Making Sense of Menopause" offers a comprehensive and empathetic exploration of menopause, blending medical expertise with personal narratives to empower women. By addressing myths, providing evidence-based information, and encouraging open dialogue, the episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand and navigate the menopause transition.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Samantha Bee (02:12): "Less than 10 years ago, nobody was talking about menopause... Mention it and you are just like a witch crone who lives in a cave."

• Meg Tirrell (04:34): "So there's, you have a lot of changes with menopause... deep dive into menopause."

• Dr. Jen Gunter (10:22): "Some people don't realize symptoms are related to menopause until they're in the middle of it."

• Meg Tirrell (10:59): "It's not unsexy anymore. We need to have a level playing field in terminology."

• Dr. Jen Gunter (19:46): "Menopause hormone therapy has been proven to be helpful for hot flashes and prevention of osteoporosis."

• Meg Tirrell (24:23): "People need to be very careful about first of all researching laterally... Look at what they're selling and the whole totality."

• Dr. Jen Gunter (26:38): "Repetition on platforms like Instagram can be mistaken for accuracy."

• Podcast Host (21:12): "Menopause hormone therapy is the gold standard for hot flashes and night sweats, not for weight loss."

• Dr. Jen Gunter (27:55): "Women in menopause have historically been incredible contributors to their society... There’s a lot of collective wisdom that we have as we age."

• Podcast Host (32:30): "Being your authentic you to me is the most liberating thing possible."