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This Is Perimenopause: Menopause, Perimenopause and Women's Health in Midlife

This Is Perimenopause: Menopause, Perimenopause and Women's Health in Midlife

By: This Is Perimenopause: Menopause Perimenopause and Women's Health in Midlife by Michelle Stainton and Mikelle Ethier
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About this listen

 Each episode will share life stories and expert insight into women's perimenopause and menopause journey in midlife, where suffering is optional Menopause isn't the end, it's just the beginning. Hosts Michelle and Mikelle are on a mission to help others be better informed than they were when they started their perimenopause journeys. The podcast is a blend of health, education, mindset, and personal growth. Michelle and Mikelle, along with their guests, are sharing real-life stories and expert advice to help you navigate perimenopause, menopause and beyond.© 2025 This Is Perimenopause Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Get Back To Sleep in Perimenopause with CBT-I and Dominique Williams: Women’s Health, Perimenopause and Menopause Journey

    Get Back To Sleep in Perimenopause with CBT-I and Dominique Williams: Women’s Health, Perimenopause and Menopause Journey
    Feb 18 2026
    Lying awake at 2 a.m., staring at the ceiling, mentally catastrophizing about tomorrow? We've all been there, especially in perimenopause. You've probably tried everything: magnesium, weighted blankets, meditation apps, lavender spray. But have you heard of CBT-I?In this episode, we're talking with Dominique Williams, a Registered Social Worker at Coven Women's Health who specializes in CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia). Dominique breaks down why you're waking up at 2-3 a.m., what's keeping you awake, and the science-backed strategies that can actually help.In this episode:What CBT-I is and why it's the gold standard treatment for insomniaWhy you're waking up at 2-3 a.m.Why getting OUT of bed when you can't sleep actually helps you sleep betterSleep restriction vs. sleep compression for perimenopausal womenHow your brain has learned insomnia (and can unlearn it too)Simple tools like cognitive shuffling, breathwork, and stimulus controlWhat to look for when finding a CBT-I practitionerFree CBT-I apps you can try on your ownThis is part of our Endy Reclaim Your Rest Sleep Series - helping you wake up rested, focused, and ready to take on whatever the day brings. Endy is Canada’s leading online mattress brand, trusted by over 1 million sleepers. Endy’s mattresses are designed to keep you cool and supported all night long, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day. With three comfort options—plush, medium-firm, and firm—you can find the perfect fit for your body and sleep style. And the best part? Endy delivers straight to your door, so upgrading your sleep is simpler than ever. Check them out at endy.com.Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Sign up for our weekly newsletterFollow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on FacebookDominique WilliamsDominique Williams is a Registered Social Worker (MSW) with over 15 years of experience supporting women through some of life’s most complex transitions. Her clinical work is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches, and a deeply client-centred framework, with a particular focus on CBT-I for sleep disruption during perimenopause.Dominique specializes in working with women navigating perimenopause, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, poor body image, and chronic health conditions. Her approach is inclusive, compassionate, and firmly evidence-based—helping clients build healthier, more sustainable relationships with their bodies, minds, and sleep.In 2021, Dominique completed her own breast cancer journey, only to find herself facing the often-unexpected challenges of treatment-induced perimenopause. Years of research, reflection, night sweats, and lived experience shaped her passion for supporting women who feel dismissed, exhausted, or stuck when it comes to sleep and hormonal change. She brings both clinical expertise and real-world understanding to conversations about insomnia, nervous system regulation, and reclaiming rest during midlife.Outside the therapy room, Dominique is a certified yoga instructor, competitive dragon boater, and lifelong learner. Originally from Australia and now based in Canada, she can often be found chasing sunshine, sipping good coffee on a patio, and reading for hours—when she’s not helping women finally get the sleep they deserve.Links for this episodeDominique Williams on InstagramCBT-i Coach AppCoven Women’s HealthCoven Women’s Health on Instagram
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    43 mins
  • Iron Deficiency, Anemia, and Iron Infusions with NDs Nic + Nat: Women’s Health, Perimenopause and Menopause Journey

    Iron Deficiency, Anemia, and Iron Infusions with NDs Nic + Nat: Women’s Health, Perimenopause and Menopause Journey
    Feb 4 2026

    Feeling tired all the time? Struggling with brain fog and irritability? Before you chalk it up to just another annoying perimenopause symptom, listen up. There may be more to the story.


    In this conversation with Naturopathic Doctors Nic and Nat, we are diving deep into iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, revealing just how pervasive this issue is among perimenopausal women. You’ll learn how Doctors Nic and Nat treat their patients with low iron levels so they can get back to feeling their best.


    In This Episode:

    • What iron deficiency is and how it differs from iron deficiency anemia
    • The surprising symptoms of low iron that often mimic perimenopause symptoms
    • When iron IV infusions may be necessary and how the treatment process works
    • The pros and cons of oral iron supplements for treating deficiency
    • Why proper testing and follow-up are crucial for effective iron deficiency treatment
    • Why iron supplementation must always be done under the guidance of a qualified medical professional


    So, grab your favorite iron-rich snack (spinach smoothie, anyone?) and let's dive in.


    Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is Perimenopause

    • Email us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.
    • Sign up for our weekly newsletter
    • Follow This Is Perimenopause on Instagram
    • Follow This Is Perimenopause on Facebook


    About Dr. Nic + Nat

    Dr. Nic and Dr. Nat—twin sisters, naturopathic doctors, and menopause society certified practitioners. They're also the founders of Durham Natural Health Center, the creators of the Empowered Midlife Hub and the Perimenopause Playbook.


    Over their 15 years of clinical practice experience, they've helped thousands of women navigate perimenopause and menopause, guiding them from feeling tired, irritable, and depleted to feeling energized, confident, and thriving. They know how challenging this time of life can be because they're living it and have seen it firsthand with so many women.


    That's why they've developed their Empowered Midlife framework that includes menopause hormone therapy, personalized nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to help women regain their vitality and take control of their health. They love educating about the menopause transitions and you might catch them sharing insights on Rogers TV, podcasts, or speaking to organizations like TD Bank and the Ministry of Finance. It's their mission to help women in their 40s and 50s feel empowered and supported as they embrace this stage of life.


    When they're not in clinic, you will find them hanging out with their kiddos and families. Dr. Nic is the boy mom with 3 boys under 9 and Dr. Nat the girl mom with 2 little girls aged 5 and 7. They love to stay active and you will also find them at the gym or training for their newest fitness love – HYROX racing. They're passionate about helping women like you rediscover your energy, confidence, and sense of self—because you deserve to feel amazing, no matter what chapter you're in.

    

    Links for this episode

    Durham Natural Health Centre

    Follow Dr. Nic and Nat on Instagram

    Follow Durham Natural Health Centre on Instagram
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    32 mins
  • How to Tackle Sleep Problems with Dr. Jen Zelovitzky : Women’s Health, Perimenopause and Menopause Journey

    How to Tackle Sleep Problems with Dr. Jen Zelovitzky : Women’s Health, Perimenopause and Menopause Journey
    Jan 21 2026

    If you're ready to stop surviving on coffee and cat naps, this episode is a must-listen.


    In the first episode of our Reclaim Your Rest with Endy series, we sit down with Dr. Jen Zelovitzky, the Clinical Director of Women's Health and Vitality at Medcan and a specialist in women's health and midlife transitions. Our goal? To unpack the complex interplay of hormones, neurotransmitters, and lifestyle factors that can sabotage your sleep during perimenopause and beyond.


    Dr. Jen shares her expert insights on how to identify the root causes of your sleep challenges and how to tackle them. Because to paraphrase Dr. Jen, if you're not sleeping, nothing else is working.

    In this episode:


    • Why addressing sleep disturbances should be a top priority in perimenopause care
    • How hormonal shifts can hijack your sleep
    • How to identify the root cause of your sleep disturbances so you can find the right remedy to help you get back to sleep
    • The role of key neurotransmitters like orexin and serotonin in regulating sleep
    • Medications to target sleep disruptors, like hormone therapy, sleep medicines, antidepressants, and other pharmaceutical options
    • The power of CBT-I and other non-drug approaches for improving sleep


    You're not doomed to be a sleep-deprived zombie for the rest of your life. With the right knowledge, support, and maybe a new mattress, you too can reclaim your rest.


    This episode is brought to you by Endy, Canada’s leading online mattress brand, trusted by over 1 million sleepers. Endy’s mattresses are designed to keep you cool and supported all night long, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day. With three comfort options—plush, medium-firm, and firm—you can find the perfect fit for your body and sleep style. And the best part? Endy delivers straight to your door, so upgrading your sleep is simpler than ever. Check them out at endy.com.


    Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is Perimenopause

    • Email us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.
    • Sign up for our weekly newsletter
    • Follow This Is Perimenopause on Instagram
    • Follow This Is Perimenopause on Facebook


    Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky


    Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky is a certified Menopause Specialist and the Clinical Director of Women’s Health at Medcan Toronto. Follow her on socials @DrJenZelo where she helps women better understand their bodies and advocate for their needs in the Canadian Healthcare system. She is also the mom of 2 amazing daughters and 3 fur babies.


    Links for this episode

    • Dr. Jen Zelovitzky on Instagram
    • Medcan Women’s Health
    • www.drjenzelo.ca
    • Read Dr. Jen’s Blogs
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    40 mins
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