Naked Beauty – “Perimenopause, PCOS, and More Grown Woman Talk”
Host: Brooke DeVard
Guest: Dr. Sharon Malone
Release Date: October 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this empowering and information-rich episode, host Brooke DeVard sits down with renowned OB-GYN and menopause expert Dr. Sharon Malone to have an unfiltered discussion on women’s health. They dive deep into topics like perimenopause, fertility, PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, healthy aging, and how women can take agency over their healthcare journeys. Dr. Malone shares both personal stories and concrete advice, demystifying complex medical milestones with warmth and honesty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Sharon Malone’s Background & Motivation (00:08–09:00)

• Childhood in Jim Crow-era Alabama: Dr. Malone describes growing up as the youngest of eight and the barriers to medical care—“We sort of lived on the edge of blackness, and then on the other side of the school was where white people lived.” (02:20)
• Mother’s resourcefulness: Most healthcare was home-based due to lack of access; “I don’t think I ever took a course of antibiotics in my entire childhood. My mother figured it out.” (03:42)
• Inspiration to become a doctor: She was inspired by rare Black role models in medicine—“I was fascinated by that. A black person can be a doctor?... That got in my head when I was in third grade.” (06:09)

2. Philosophy: You Are Your Primary Caregiver (11:26–15:18)

• Empowering women to advocate: Dr. Malone insists: "No one is going to know you and know how you’re supposed to feel better than you do." (12:55)
• Navigating modern healthcare: Importance of speaking up during short, fragmented appointments. Come prepared, be specific, and never accept being dismissed if something feels wrong. "Don’t just walk out there because a lot of people leave going, ‘Well, the doctor said I was fine, so it must be fine.'” (14:49)

3. Healthy Aging: Foundational Habits (15:18–21:14)

• Basic tenets:
  • Regular exercise (not primarily for weight loss, but for mood, muscle mass, mobility) (15:33)
  • Prioritizing sleep (16:16)
  • Mindful eating—focus less on aesthetics, more on metabolic health (16:16–18:09)
  • Managing weight for health, not appearance
  • Minimizing alcohol & smoking
  • Managing hypertension and type 2 diabetes rigorously (19:28)
• Notable quote: "We, as women, think of exercise as something you go because you’re trying to lose weight. And I tell people all the time, you do not lose weight exercising. That’s not the point." (15:33)
• On hormone therapy: Critical for symptomatic women in perimenopause/menopause, especially Black women who are less likely to be offered or accept it. "We've got to lose some of these misconceptions about hormone therapy and it being dangerous and causing breast cancer. It does not." (20:55)

4. Health Milestones by Decade (21:14–27:42)

• 20s: Build healthy routines—exercise, nutrition, bone mass. Be mindful of rising rates of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. (21:38–22:57)
• 30s:
  • Same foundational habits
  • Fertility changes—ask your mother about her menopause/fertility history (27:10-30:30)
  • “Sooner is always better than later” for planning pregnancies, if possible (29:29)

Supplements:

• Only treat documented deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D for many Black women or iron for anemia); don’t waste money on vague claims. (25:04)

5. Fertility, Endometriosis, PCOS, and Fibroids (27:42–46:13)

• Fertility: Declines with age but isn’t gone in 30s/40s. Egg freezing is expensive, not a guarantee—should ideally be done before 38, with 20+ eggs for a reasonable chance. (30:32–33:35)
• Endometriosis: Often underdiagnosed. Key symptoms—long, painful/heavy periods, pelvic pain, sometimes infertility. “Ten-day period? Not normal.” (36:42) Laparoscopy often required for diagnosis.
• PCOS: Irregular cycles, weight gain, acne, hair growth (where unwanted), tied to hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance. Not always obvious in thin women. (41:12)
• Fibroids: Disproportionately affect Black women—more, larger, earlier, and more symptomatic fibroids (~80%). Multiple options for treatment, not all surgical. “Black women are less likely to complain about them, so their fibroids have gotten bigger… taking them out of the running for minimally invasive surgery.” (43:16)

6. Perimenopause Demystified (46:13–55:28)

• What is it? The 4–10 year transitional phase before menopause; lasts longer and hits earlier for Black women.

• Symptoms: Menstrual irregularity, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, weight gain, sleep issues, hair changes.

• "Perimenopause will last before you get to menopause. The first sign… menstrual irregularities." (46:13)

• Not everyone has all symptoms: “There’s a whole list of, you know, 30-plus symptoms… Not everybody has all of them. They come and go.” (48:16)

• Diagnosis confusion: Symptoms may start while periods are regular—labs can be misleading.

• Treatment: Hormonal therapy (birth control pills, estrogen/progestin as appropriate); best evidence-based approach for those bothered by symptoms. Only a few absolute contraindications (e.g., personal cancer history). (51:34–55:28)

  Memorable quote:

  “The most effective treatment for the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause is hormone therapy. And all the reasons we think we are not candidates… are probably not true.” (53:43)

7. Advocacy and Resources (55:33–58:52)

• Dr. Malone’s mission: Provide in-depth, credible information so women can be informed and advocate for themselves.
• Second Opinion podcast: Real women’s stories, expert guests, deep-dive episodes on fibroids, stroke, heart attacks, etc.
• Encouragement: "Because you are so often bombarded with so much misinformation… the guests and experts will be curated because these are people that I know and respect." (57:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "My book is for everybody from 30 to 80, because it really touches upon all the things you need to be concerned about at different times in your life." – Dr. Malone (11:03)
• “Do not take someone’s word for it who does not know you. You have to be in charge.” – Dr. Malone (13:11)
• “Exercise is important. Sleep—extremely important. Cut down on alcohol… If you smoke, don’t.” (15:45)
• “10-day period? Not normal… A half a cup [blood lost] over the entire period is normal. Anything over 80cc is considered heavy bleeding.” (38:05–38:31)
• "Not everybody has all the symptoms [of perimenopause]. They come and go. Some women don't have hot flashes at all." (48:16)
• “The most effective treatment for the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause is hormone therapy.” (53:43)
• On advocating for yourself: “This is where you want to be healthy and take care of yourself through this time. There will be a time when it’s just the two of you again [after children].” (63:36)

Skincare, Beauty, and Self-Care (59:09–62:51)

• Dr. Malone’s skincare: Recommends M4 (estriol estrogen face cream), explains how estrogen supports skin elasticity, moisture, and collagen. "It's an estrogen face cream... I use that morning and night." (59:52)
• Makeup favorites: Bobbi Brown products, including blush (61:16–61:40).
• Self-confidence: Dr. Malone feels most beautiful on a date night with her husband. (62:01)
• Advice to young mothers: "The reason you want to be healthy… is because there will be a time when it’s just the two of you again. I’m having more fun now than I did 20 years ago." (63:36–64:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dr. Malone’s personal background: 01:57–06:09
• You as your primary caregiver: 11:26–15:18
• Foundational healthy habits: 15:18–21:14
• Decade-by-decade health concerns: 21:14–27:42
• Fertility and egg freezing: 27:42–33:35
• Endometriosis: 33:35–39:40
• PCOS, fibroids: 41:12–46:13
• Perimenopause explained: 46:13–55:28
• Second Opinion podcast/resources: 55:33–58:52
• Makeup & skincare advice: 59:09–62:01
• Date night & self-care: 62:01–64:59

Takeaways for Listeners

• Understand and own your healthcare: Be assertive, come prepared to appointments, and insist on clear answers.
• Build healthy habits early: Simple routines around movement, sleep, and mindful eating fuel lifelong wellness.
• Address menstrual/gynecological symptoms: Heavy, long, or painful bleeding is not normal—seek real answers.
• Hormonal therapies: Remain open; misconceptions are common and real contraindications are rare.
• Aging can be joyful: With proactive care, life after kids—or after menopause—can be full of freedom and fulfillment.
• Stay informed: Seek credible sources, like Dr. Malone’s “Grown Woman Talk” and “Second Opinion” podcast, to navigate health milestones with confidence.

"Do not fear this part of life… I’m having more fun now than I did 20 years ago. Everybody’s gone. I’m like, yay, see you Thanksgiving." – Dr. Sharon Malone (64:47)

Links Referenced:

• Dr. Sharon Malone’s Website (“Second Opinion” podcast info, ask questions)
• Book: “Grown Woman Talk”
• M4 (Alloy Health estriol face cream)

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in being an empowered advocate for their own health, navigating the complexities of womanhood from the 20s through menopause and beyond, and aging with wisdom, agency, and style.