Podcast Summary: "Tamsen Fadal: How To Menopause"

Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa
Date: October 15, 2025
Guest: Tamsen Fadal, Emmy-winning journalist & menopause advocate

Overview

In this episode, Kelly Ripa and her team dive deep into the realities, misconceptions, and challenges of menopause, joined by special guest Tamsen Fadal. Drawing from their own on-air experiences, they discuss everything from embarrassing hot flashes and brain fog to hormone therapy skepticism and societal shame. Tamsen shares research, personal experiences, and practical advice, emphasizing the need for better medical understanding and more open conversation around menopause. The episode includes honest listener Q&A, stories, myth-busting, and encouragement to self-advocate. The tone is candid, humorous, and supportive—a blend of empathy, expertise, and comic relief.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

On-Air & Real-Life Hot Flashes

Kelly recounts her live TV hot flash, describing the intensity and embarrassment ("as though a thousand sponges were flying out of my body") and uses it as a springboard to raise Menopause Awareness Month and the continued stigma surrounding menopause.

• [01:40] Kelly Ripa: “It came from the center of my body and projected outward as though a thousand sponges were flying out of my body at the same time.”
• [10:57] Tamsen Fadal: Shares her 2019 on-air hot flash leading to a panic-stricken moment on the bathroom floor, setting off her journey into menopause advocacy.

Why Isn’t Menopause Talked About?

Both Kelly and Tamsen lament the lack of open discussion and misinformation. Images of menopause are outdated; society paints it as an "older woman's" issue, leading to confusion about symptoms and timing.

• [13:38] Tamsen Fadal: “Even if you Google it right now, you will see images...whatever they do on ads, on TV, when the woman's, like, sitting on the bench, petting her cat...she's given up.”
• [14:15] Kelly Ripa: Reflects on the generational silence, contrasting with "The Golden Girls" brief, trailblazing mentions.

Symptom Confusion & Medical Dismissal

Team member Jan expresses confusion despite regular periods, awakening nightly in “a full flop sweat,” questioning if stress or hidden hormonal changes are to blame. Listeners echo similar confusion, often dismissed when “labs are fine.”

• [15:56] Tamsen Fadal: “Usually the average age of menopause is 51...Most women start some of these kind of changes...waking up in a pool of sweat, not feeling like themselves...these become those symptoms of perimenopause.”
• [27:12] Tamsen Fadal (to caller Wendy): “You feel like you're almost playing whack-a-mole with some of these symptoms...A lot of doctors were not educated about this in medical school.”

Hormone Therapy: Facts, Fears & Access

Vivid discussion on HRT—when to start, safety, insurance, and the lingering shadow of outdated studies that scared generations of women away.

• [17:39] Tamsen Fadal: “There was a study over 20, 25 years ago ... media did a big mis service...women threw out their hormones...a real disservice to women.”
• [19:39] Kelly Ripa/Tamsin Fadal: Insurance coverage is patchy, access can be a problem; telehealth and menopause certification (see resources below) are making it somewhat easier.
• [21:03] Tamsin Fadal: “This isn’t about hot flashes...this is about longevity. This is about protecting your bone health...about the long term.”

Navigating the Healthcare System

Difficulties finding knowledgeable providers and feeling dismissed by standard OB/GYNs is a common refrain.

• [20:10] Tamsen Fadal: “My patient portal had four words in it: 'In menopause. Any questions?' Signed by the doc. That was it.”

Q&A: Listener Questions

1. Surgical Menopause & Symptoms ([26:26] Wendy, MA): Post-hysterectomy, continued sweats—advice is to seek a menopause specialist, use Menopause.org for certified providers, and consider telehealth solutions.
2. IUDs & Menopause ([32:47] Mary, CA): Long-term IUD may prevent periods and mask symptoms. Check with provider about removal, hormone evaluation, and whether/when to switch to HRT.
3. Perimenopause Without Hot Flashes ([42:35] Willow, ID): Heavy/erratic periods, skin issues, non-hot-flash symptoms ARE perimenopausal. Use symptom trackers and keep seeking knowledgeable doctors.
4. Hormonal Changes in Younger Women ([55:25] Kelly, PA): Start conversations early; no harm in checking hormone levels or discussing family history/early symptoms. Baseline awareness is as crucial as for mammograms or colonoscopies.

Shame, Ageism & the Social Stigma

Discussion moves to why menopause remains taboo:

• [38:46] Albert Bianchini: “Why is there so much shame around menopause?”
• [38:46] Tamsen Fadal: “Wrapped up in ageism and sexism...the word 'hysteria'... We outlive our ovaries now for quite a long time.”
• [39:42] Kelly Ripa: Reframes, celebrating over-50 women's achievements and the "freedom and the ability to really thrive" post-menopause.

The Impact on Sex Drive

Low libido is normalized as a frequent symptom—Kelly and Tamsen compare notes on the life-changing effect of hormone therapy, especially testosterone supplements.

• [49:36] Tamsen Fadal: “Low libido is one of the big symptoms...I got remarried at 50... My libido’s [gone]. And then I get married and go to Hawaii on our honeymoon and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I don’t want to have sex. I had no interest.’”
• [50:32] Kelly Ripa: “For me, the one that really seals the deal is that I do a T-shot...it’s been life-changing.”

Advocating for Yourself & Each Other

Repeated encouragement to be one’s own advocate, ask pointed questions of doctors, and seek others' recommendations.

• [31:36] Kelly Ripa: “Wendy, be your own best self-advocate. Nobody’s going to do it for you.”

The Generational Shift

Hopeful notes about how today’s openness will benefit younger women, normalize menopause, and chip away at the lingering shame.

• [42:09] Kelly Ripa: “Because we’re verbose, because we talk about it, our daughters...won’t have the same stigmas attached.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kelly Ripa [01:40]: “It came from the center of my body and projected outward as though a thousand sponges were flying out of my body at the same time.”
• Tamsen Fadal [10:57]: “If you’ve had a hot flash, you know...it’s not like a little spritz. It comes up from the center of your belly and literally sweat springs out...everywhere.”
• Tamsen Fadal [13:38]: “...images that come up of much older, frail women. This transition can start much younger. That’s the word we gotta get out.”
• Jan Chalet [14:55]: “Even in this world of journalism...I get my period every month, but I wake up at night, full flop sweat.”
• Tamsen Fadal [20:10]: “I got a note in my patient portal with four words: 'In menopause. Any questions?' Signed by the doc.”
• Caller Mary [33:10]: “You know how you make a hormone, right?”
• Kelly Ripa [50:32]: “For me, the one that really seals the deal is that I do a tee shot...it’s been life changing.”
• Tamsen Fadal [38:46]: “If you’re lucky enough, you’re going to go through menopause. I think it’s so wrapped up in ageism and sexism.”
• Kelly Ripa [39:42]: "The women I know...most accomplished...are over the age of 50. Most of them are postmenopausal, and they have the freedom and ability to really thrive."

Key Resources Mentioned

• The Menopause Society Provider Directory: menopause.org — Find certified menopause practitioners.
• Telehealth for Menopause:
  • Alloy Health
  • Midi Health
• Tamsen Fadal’s Work:
  • Book: How to Menopause
  • Documentaries: The M Factor (impactorfilm.com), and upcoming Before the Pause.
  • Podcast: The Tamsen Show
• Symptom Tracker: Tamsen offers a tracker with 34+ possible symptoms (details in her book).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:40] Kelly’s on-air hot flash story
• [10:57] Tamsen’s broadcast hot flash moment
• [13:38] Stigma and portrayal of menopause in media
• [14:55] Jan’s confusion about symptoms
• [17:39] Detrimental impact of old hormone studies
• [20:10] Tamsen on lack of medical support
• [26:26] Listener calls begin (Wendy’s story)
• [32:47] IUDs masking symptoms (Mary’s question)
• [38:46] Shame, ageism, and why speaking up matters
• [49:36] Menopause and sex drive
• [55:45] On early awareness and genetic components

Tone & Takeaways

Tone

Candid, often humorous, empathetic, and a bit irreverent—speakers cut through the usual hesitation to confront menopause myths and realities head-on. There’s camaraderie, relief, and plenty of laughter amid the seriousness.

Takeaways

• Menopause is complex, varied, and still under-discussed—even misunderstood—by the medical establishment.
• Hormone therapy can be safe and game-changing for many, but access and education are hurdles.
• There is no “one size fits all”—every woman must self-advocate and seek reputable guidance.
• The conversation is shifting: more advocates, media, and open dialogue are on the rise, setting the stage for better support for current and future generations.
• Menopause does not “end” one’s career, vibrancy, or desirability—a new chapter often begins.

Finale

Kelly and Tamsen end with plans for a “MenoCon” gathering—an event celebrating menopause, continuing the movement for more openness and support.

Kelly Ripa [56:54]: “You know what? I think we need to have Meno con. I really love it...it needs to be a celebration.”

Further Listening/Watching

• How to Menopause (book)
• The Tamsen Show (podcast)
• The M Factor (documentary at impactorfilm.com)
• Check menopause.org for certified doctors

This summary covers all key content; advertisements and non-substantive sections have been omitted.