Podcast Summary: You Are Not Broken – Episode 341: How To Menopause

Release Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Dr. Kelly Casperson, MD
Guest: Tamsen Fadal (journalist, author of “How To Menopause”)

Episode Overview

This episode features a lively and candid conversation between Dr. Kelly Casperson—a urologist and midlife wellness advocate—and Emmy-winning journalist Tamsen Fadal. The two dig into the realities of perimenopause and menopause, using humor, personal stories, and practical advice to flip the script on aging and women’s health. The focus is on Fadal’s new book, “How to Menopause,” which aims to demystify the midlife transition and empower listeners with advocacy tools, medical insights, and a positive mindset shift.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Turning Menopause Into a “How-To”

• Tamsen reflects on coining menopause as a verb and provides insight into the origins and goals of her book.
• The need for a straightforward, actionable resource came from her own bewildering experience with perimenopause.
• Quote: “You verbed menopause—the first person to have done it. So the book is called ‘How to Menopause,’ and it’s really, really effing good.”
  — Dr. Kelly Casperson [01:19]

2. Personal Journeys & Systemic Barriers

• Tamsen candidly details her journey through a “messy divorce,” experiencing hair loss, anxiety, brain fog, and irregular periods—all misdiagnosed as stress.
  • She highlights the lack of education and recognition of perimenopause despite access to highly qualified doctors.
  • Diagnosis was impersonal: “I got four words in my patient portal—in menopause. Any questions? That was it.” [04:43]
• Frustration at medical gaslighting and the challenge of finding supportive doctors.
  • Consulted multiple doctors (GP, therapist, endocrinologist, OB/GYN), was given hormones and contradictory guidance, and struggled with fear of hormone therapy due to family breast cancer history.

Memorable Moment

Quote: “I was given hormones…offered pellets…and then I was scared to go on hormones because my mother died of breast cancer. So I had no clue what was going on. There was like six different doctors, which is insane.”
— Tamsen Fadal [06:04]

3. Women’s Advocacy and Medical Gatekeeping

• Rise of patient advocacy: Women now bring their own research and requests to doctor visits.
• Hostility and skepticism from some in the medical community as women “come in and advocate for perimenopause and menopause care.”
• Critique that traditional gatekeeping is being disrupted by podcasts, books, and documentaries, democratizing information.
• Impactful anecdote: An OB/GYN was transformed by reading Tamsen’s book and watching her documentary, shifting her practice to focus on midlife care.

Notable Quote

“My doctor told me…‘menopause was just trending right now, and that’s not what it was.’ And I was heartbroken.”
— Tamsen Fadal [10:09]

4. Role of the Journalist & Building a Bridge

• Tamsen viewed her reporting as bridging the gap: asking experts the questions women wish they could.
• Importance of “brain fog proof” writing; the book is structured for clarity and accessibility for readers in the throes of perimenopause.
• Value of patient scripts: Tamsen included communication tools for patients to advocate at the doctor’s office.

5. Ownership, Shame, and Mindset

• Both discuss feelings of personal failure associated with symptoms (“What did I do wrong?”), and the need to break these narratives.
• Acknowledge continued feelings of intimidation, even as seasoned professionals.
• The emotional undercurrents of menopause are explored; Tamsen’s lost her mother young and wonders if her advocacy is coming “full circle.”

6. Practical Health Actions

• Discussion on bone health and body composition.
  • Kelly shares her own DEXA scan experience, diagnosis of osteopenia, and lifestyle changes focused on protein intake, strength training, and “jumping” for bone health.
  • Both emphasize practical, actionable steps for listeners: get DEXA scans, prioritize muscle, drop outdated goals of skinny set by ‘90s supermodels.
• Discussion about the landscape of medical equipment (DEXA, body composition tools), rising accessibility issues, and the need for annual monitoring.
• Tamsen reminisces about unhealthy old habits, expressing happiness that younger women focus now on strength.

Memorable Quote

“To me, I’m like, it’s muscle. Muscle is sexy as hell, too. So put on a couple of pounds and look hot, right?”
— Dr. Kelly Casperson [19:36]

7. Market Forces and Medical Exploitation

• Both highlight danger in the commercialization of menopause (lasers, expensive non-essential treatments) while effective, affordable solutions like vaginal estrogen are neglected due to stigma or misinformation.
• Example: A woman spent $15,000 on various treatments for GSM—none of which worked as well as simple vaginal estrogen.
• Importance of education as a defense against predatory marketing.

Memorable Quote

“It’s the silence around simple stuff that works. And…the unethical, predatory behavior of selling hope and dreams in the form of lasers and expensive vibrators when they don’t work as well.”
— Dr. Kelly Casperson [36:29]

8. Positive Shift, Mindset, and New Purpose

• Celebration of Gen X, “elder millennials,” and boomers reshaping the midlife narrative.
• Power of mindset: Emphasize opportunity, reinvention, and the surge in women launching companies and creative endeavors post-menopause.
• Tamsen credits her new career purpose—leaving TV news for menopause advocacy—to her own experience; encourages listeners to seek and embrace new opportunities.

Notable Quote

“I really felt crazy. Like, I really felt like something was wrong… And now it’s like…my purpose found me.”
— Tamsen Fadal [26:41–27:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:19] – Turning menopause into a verb and book origins
• [03:35] – Tamsen’s personal perimenopause journey
• [06:04] – The search for supportive medical care
• [10:09] – Doctors dismissing menopause as a trend
• [12:35] – Dr. Kelly’s commitment to menopause advocacy
• [14:29] – Scripting patient-doctor conversations
• [18:01] – Kelly’s DEXA scan/osteopenia experience and jumping for bone health
• [20:51] – Practical advice on DEXA and monitoring bone health
• [24:10] – Tamsen’s career pivot from news anchor to menopause advocate
• [29:29] – Reflections on high-profile interviews, events, and growing movement
• [32:15] – Advice for finding the right doctor for menopause
• [34:18] – Media’s role in hormone therapy misinformation
• [36:29] – Medical exploitation vs. effective, basic treatment
• [39:23] – The role of mindset in shaping the menopause experience

Standout Quotes

• “You verbed menopause—the first person to have done it….”
  — Dr. Kelly Casperson [01:19]
• “I got four words in my patient portal: in menopause. Any questions? That was it.”
  — Tamsen Fadal [04:43]
• “We’re fundamentally changing the world. And many—because that’s going to trickle down.”
  — Dr. Kelly Casperson [14:29]
• “It’s the silence around simple stuff that works… and the unethical, predatory behavior of selling hope and dreams in the form of lasers and expensive vibrators.”
  — Dr. Kelly Casperson [36:29]
• “It’s muscle. Muscle is sexy as hell, too. So put on a couple of pounds and look hot, right?”
  — Dr. Kelly Casperson [19:36]
• “My purpose found me.”
  — Tamsen Fadal [27:20]

Practical Takeaways

• Education is empowerment: Listen, read, and bring resources to your doctor—knowledge is no longer locked away in medical offices.
• Be your own advocate: Ask questions, seek second opinions, and don’t accept dismissal.
• Mindset matters: Menopause is not an ending—it can be a springboard to new chapters, passions, and power.
• Prioritize basics: DEXA scans, muscle-maintenance, bone health, and simple, evidence-based treatments are key.
• Protect yourself: Stay vigilant to overpromised products and quick fixes in the menopause market.
• Community and conversation: Sharing stories publicly is crucial for dismantling shame and building informed, healthier generations.

Conclusion

This episode is a dynamic, honest exploration of the modern menopause experience—offering solidarity, laughter, and empowerment. Dr. Kelly Casperson and Tamsen Fadal break down stigma, share mistakes and victories, and model what revolutionizing women’s midlife health can look like in 2025 and beyond.
Call to Action: “Buy the book and bring it to your doctor…doctors love reading and we love info.”
— Dr. Kelly Casperson [41:13]