In this episode, I interview Nicole and Danielle of the Peri-Tales Podcast. We cover A LOT of ground. This episode is slightly longer than some of my others. The conversation was so interesting!

About our Guests:

Nicole Mena (she/her) is a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine in Philadelphia. Her specialties include reproductive disorders and fertility support. Both her and her sister Danielle host the podcast Peri-tales which documents not only their perimenopause journey but also explores access to necessary and essential healthcare support for everyone going through perimenopause by interviewing guests across different fields, socio-economic backgrounds and racial backgrounds. They hope to bring more light to healthcare inequalities and limits to access with care for perimenopause.

Danielle Squillante is a mother and organizer based in western MA. She works at the Prison Policy Initiative, and is one of the founding members of the Decarcerate Western MA Bailout Project, an all volunteer community bail fund. She has served in leadership roles in DSA, and takes an anti-capitalist approach to health care and health equity.

You can find their podcast here⁠!

And as always, about your host:

Not finding the resources they needed when they hit perimenopause, The Genderqueer Menopause Coach, Lasara Firefox Allen, set out to educate themself so they could advocate effectively for their own needs. This led to a vast amount of media consumption and more and more acute awareness of how highly gendered the majority of the available materials here–with a few notable exceptions. Lasara decided at that point to become part of the solution. This culminated in Menopause Doula Training with The Menopause School, and then the GGS Menopause Coaching certification process, which Lasara is currently completing. This process of discovery has led to Lasara’s ongoing dedication toward creating a Menopause Coaching practice that is empowering and gender affirming.

As usual, you can find more info about my services here.

In this episode, I interview Heather Corinna of Scarleteen and What Fresh Hell is This, a memoir/survival guide about perimenopause. We discuss genderqueer navigation of menopause, and the importance of access to information and community.

Heather is a dedicated queer feminist activist, author, educator, artist, teacher and community organizer. They’re the founder, editor and co-director, of the web clearinghouse and organization Scarleteen, the first truly comprehensive and inclusive sex, sexuality, bodies and relationships education site and resource for young people of its kind. In its 25 years, Scarleteen has served free and high-quality education to around 90 million users. Heather’s the author of S.E.X: The All-You-Need-To-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties; with Isabella Rotman, Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up (Oni Press, September 2019), and the perimenopause memoir/survival guide What Fresh Hell Is This? Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities and You.

In this episode, The Genderqueer Menopause Coach, Lasara Firefox Allen, MSW, speaks with Haley Collins, NP, of FOLX.com about some possible impacts on sexuality during genderqueer (and otherwise queer) menopause. Also discussed are genital atrophy and its comprehensive impact on health and well-being, and many treatment options--including how to treat this condition if one does not want to supplement with estrogen.

Haley Collins is a Family Nurse Practitioner in Asheville, North Carolina, and is an NCMP (NAMS Certified Menopause Provider). She has provided primary care at schools, homeless shelters, and clinics, as well as virtually. Previously while working in Harlem, New York, she was part of the LGBTQIA+ committee to help provide an inclusive environment to staff and patients. She's passionate about providing a positive personal connection virtually that's as strong as a traditional in-person office visit. Haley specializes in primary care, sexual and reproductive health care, and pediatrics, as well as menopause care. Haley is the director of general practice for FOLX.

Please enjoy Episode 1 of the Genderqueer Menopause Podcast! In this episode, I, Lasara Allen, MSW, The Genderqueer Menopause Coach, interview Dr. Marie Benkley.

Dr. Marie is an evidence-based Naturopathic Doctor and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) practicing in Portland, Oregon. She provides comprehensive menopause healthcare, with a focus on both current and long term health - including mental health, sexual health, heart health and bone health - that can be impacted by this hormonal change.

Dr. Marie is dedicated to supporting you in understanding your menopausal experience and the treatment options available (if needed) so you can make informed decisions about your health and navigate this time in life with greater ease and clarity. She has expertise in a variety of treatment options for menopausal symptoms, including menopausal hormone therapy (MHT, also known as HRT), non-hormonal medications and natural therapies.

Dr. Marie is passionate about LGBTQ+ inclusive menopause care and is committed to providing affirming care for all people experiencing menopause. She has additional training and clinical experience in gender-affirming care, including gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

Dr. Marie’s clinical practice is located at Mandala Medicine & Wellness in Portland, OR. She also sees patients virtually throughout Oregon, Washington and New Hampshire. She is accepting new patients for in-person and virtual care.

When not seeing patients, Dr. Marie can often be found powerlifting, climbing, backpacking or riding motorcycles. She also loves long walks with her partner and German Shepard pup.

You can find Dr. Marie at www.drbenkley.com or on Instagram at @DrMarieBenkley.

You can find me, Lasara, at www.genderqueermenopause.com, on Instagram at @genderqueer.menopause, or on Facebook at GenderqueerMenopause, or on TikTok at @genderqueer.menopause.

Thank you for listening!