Podcast Summary: Unlearn16 Episode - "The One Where I Chose To Skip Perimenopause"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Unlearn16: Class is in Session
- Host/Author: Unlearn16
- Description: A teacher with a sarcastic wit who’s passion for debate and discussion spans the political, social, and pop culture spectrums. PS - a solid metaphor can solve all life’s problems.
- Episode: The One Where I Chose To Skip Perimenopause
- Release Date: November 19, 2024
1. Introduction
In the episode titled "The One Where I Chose To Skip Perimenopause," host Unlearn16 dives deep into her personal journey with perimenopause, a phase preceding menopause characterized by hormonal fluctuations. She candidly shares her physical and emotional struggles, critiques the medical establishment's approach to women's health, and calls for greater awareness and better medical support for women undergoing this natural life transition.
2. Host’s Personal Experience with Aging and Health Issues
Unlearn16 begins the episode by reflecting on her realization of aging, highlighting various physical ailments that have surfaced as she approaches her 50s.
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Physical Ailments: She mentions sore feet from excessive walking, a dislocated pinky causing persistent pain, and shoulder issues limiting her ability to perform routine activities like throwing a ball.
- Quote [00:03]: “I turned 49 and the bottom of my feet went, we've had enough. We've seen everything we need to see.”
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Medical Tests: She has undergone numerous medical tests, including mammograms, colonoscopies, ultrasounds, MRIs, blood tests, and thyroid tests, yet continues to face unresolved health issues.
- Quote [00:03]: “I've been for all of it, all right? Blood tests, thyroid tests.”
3. Understanding Perimenopause
Unlearn16 transitions into discussing perimenopause, emphasizing that it's a phase where women's hormones become erratic, leading to a deficiency in estrogen.
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Symptoms of Perimenopause: She lists several symptoms, including brain fog, memory loss, dry and brittle tendons and ligaments leading to injuries, weight fluctuations, uncontrollable rage, severe menstrual pain, and sleep disturbances.
- Quote [00:03]: “Perimenopause, your hormones start to go haywire, and at the very end of the day, your body is drained of estrogen.”
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Impact on Daily Life: The host illustrates how these hormonal changes adversely affect her daily life, from physical injuries to cognitive impairments.
- Quote [00:03]: “I feel like I'm hanging on to that dandelion... I'm hanging on by my teeth.”
4. Critique of the Medical System
Unlearn16 expresses frustration with the medical community's handling of perimenopause, highlighting a lack of proactive support and dismissive attitudes from healthcare providers.
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Dismissive Attitudes: Doctors often attribute her symptoms to simply aging, neglecting the nuanced hormonal changes occurring during perimenopause.
- Quote [00:03]: “Well, it's 49. I'm not into it. ... I don't want to be normal for 49.”
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Gender Bias in Medicine: She points out the disparity in medical treatment and research focus between men and women, particularly regarding hormonal therapies.
- Quote [00:03]: “Why is this being pushed? ... Because women aren't running the medical system, that's why.”
5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Discussion
The host delves into the complexities surrounding hormone replacement therapy, advocating for more research and better access to HRT for women.
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Historical Context of HRT: She references past fears about estrogen replacement therapies causing cancer, which led to a decline in their use.
- Quote [00:03]: “There were all these estrogen replacement hormone therapies... everybody said, they're horrible for you. They're going to give you cancer.”
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Advocacy for HRT: Unlearn16 calls for renewed focus on HRT, emphasizing its potential benefits in mitigating perimenopausal symptoms and improving quality of life.
- Quote [00:03]: “If there is a medical combination of hormone therapy that can make me feel like I am 35. Why isn't this being researched?”
6. Feminist Perspective and Societal Critique
Unlearn16 intertwines her discussion with a feminist critique, highlighting how societal structures neglect women's health needs, especially as they age.
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Patriarchal Medical Systems: She argues that the patriarchal nature of the medical system contributes to the neglect of women's specific health issues.
- Quote [00:03]: “Politics and education are intricately linked into our healthcare system, into women's health, women's empowerment.”
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Double Standards in Healthcare: The host contrasts the availability and acceptance of treatments like Viagra for men with the limited options for women dealing with hormonal changes.
- Quote [00:03]: “Why are men allowed to pop Viagra left, right and center... What about all of those things for women?”
7. Call to Action
Towards the end of the episode, Unlearn16 makes a passionate call to action for both medical professionals and listeners.
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Seeking Expertise: She invites medical experts to contact her for discussions and to potentially feature them on her podcast, aiming to foster open dialogue about women's health.
- Quote [00:03]: “Anybody who's an expert, call me. You email me 3p o m e s gmail dot com.”
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Empowerment Through Knowledge: The host emphasizes the importance of women taking control of their health by educating themselves and demanding better medical care.
- Quote [00:03]: “This is a call out to all medical professionals... to empower, educate and change that system.”
8. Conclusion
Unlearn16 wraps up the episode by reaffirming her commitment to addressing perimenopause openly and advocating for systemic changes in how women's health is perceived and managed.
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Determined Stance: She declares her refusal to accept dismissive attitudes towards her symptoms and her determination to seek solutions.
- Quote [00:03]: “Today is the last day of me not knowing crap... I'm just not that into it.”
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Future Endeavors: The host hints at ongoing efforts to raise awareness and support others going through similar experiences, ensuring that women's health issues receive the attention they deserve.
- Quote [00:03]: “I won't do it. So this is a call out to all medical professionals.”
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
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[00:03]: “I turned 49 and the bottom of my feet went, we've had enough. We've seen everything we need to see.”
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[00:03]: “Perimenopause, your hormones start to go haywire, and at the very end of the day, your body is drained of estrogen.”
-
[00:03]: “Why is this being pushed? ... Because women aren't running the medical system, that's why.”
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[00:03]: “If there is a medical combination of hormone therapy that can make me feel like I am 35. Why isn't this being researched?”
-
[00:03]: “Why are men allowed to pop Viagra left, right and center... What about all of those things for women?”
-
[00:03]: “This is a call out to all medical professionals... to empower, educate and change that system.”
-
[00:03]: “Today is the last day of me not knowing crap... I'm just not that into it.”
-
[00:03]: “I won't do it. So this is a call out to all medical professionals.”
Key Takeaways:
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Personal Struggles: Unlearn16 openly shares her physical and emotional challenges as she navigates perimenopause, providing a raw and relatable account for listeners.
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Systemic Issues: The episode highlights significant flaws in the medical system's approach to women's health, particularly regarding hormonal changes and menopause.
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Advocacy for Change: The host passionately advocates for better research, more accessible hormone replacement therapies, and systemic changes to support women's health needs.
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Empowerment: Unlearn16 encourages women to take charge of their health, seek out knowledgeable medical professionals, and demand the care and respect they deserve.
This episode serves as a powerful platform for discussing the often-overlooked challenges of perimenopause, urging both listeners and medical professionals to acknowledge and address the complexities of women's health during this significant life stage.