Women’s Health Series:
Navigating Peri/Menopause

This workshop is for those who are curious about symptoms they may be experiencing, those who are interested in preparing for their second half of life, or those who simply want more information about Peri/Menopause.

Scroll through this page to find out more about the workshop and Peri/Menopause in general including what it is, when to expect it, and what kind of symptoms can occur.

Join us for a 3-part series designed to empower women with education, support, and practical tools for thriving through peri/menopause.

Learn from experts in Hormone Replacement Therapy, Integrative & Holistic Medicine, Nutrition, Fitness, and Mental Health—and discover strategies to make the second half of life stronger and more fulfilling.

Each session includes a short support-style discussion to build community and connection. Featured presenters: Meg Benasutti, Kimberly Walker, Sarah Tyler, and Gretchen Williams.

Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30

September 23rd
Understanding Hormone Replacement Therapy
September 30th
Integrative Medicine & Holistic Interventions to Manage Peri/Menopause
October 7th
Managing Mental Health with Mind, Body, & Spirit

Registration required.

Medicaid accepted.
$40 per session private pay, $120 for total series.

FAQs

What is the purpose of this workshop?

This workshop is designed to provide education and support because so many of our relatives, friends, and maybe even ourselves have struggled with the symptoms listed below and now are able to understand themselves and their body more fully. This workshop aims to educate and provide tools to understand help manage symptoms associated with Peri/Menopause.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, characterized by a gradual decline in estrogen production and the onset of symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, mood changes, and other menopause-like effects.

Due to lack of training and education of medical clinicians in perimenopause, patients' experiences are often dismissed, and women are left questioning their sanity or feeling gaslit by our clinicians. The truth is this: perimenopause starts long before your periods start getting irregular. There are tons of subtle changes like your hair getting thinner, crushing anxiety that comes out of nowhere or foot pain that won’t go away.

What is the definition and and expected timeline of peri/menopause?

  • Perimenopause marks the period when the ovaries start to produce less estrogen, causing hormonal fluctuations and physical changes.

  • This transition typically starts in the early to mid-40s but can begin as early as the mid-30s or as late as the early 50s.

  • Perimenopause ends when a person has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, at which point menopause is reached.

What are the causes and duration of perimenopause?

  • The main cause is a decline in ovarian hormone production, particularly estrogen.

  • Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few months to several years; the average duration is about four years but can extend up to eight.

What is menopause and post-menopause?

Menopause is defined as the point in time when a person has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, marking the end of menstrual cycles and reproductive ability due to the ovaries stopping egg production and declining hormone levels, mainly estrogen and progesterone.

Menopause

  • Menopause typically occurs between ages 45 and 55, with the average age around 51 to 52 years.

  • Symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, decreased libido, and urinary symptoms and dozens more.

  • Menopause itself is considered a single point in time—when menstruation permanently stops after 12 months without a period—but the transition and symptoms can span years before and after this point.

Postmenopause

  • Postmenopause refers to the time after menopause has occurred, i.e., after 12 months without a period.

  • During postmenopause, menopausal symptoms may continue or lessen, but the hormonal changes cause increased risks for health concerns such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease due to lower estrogen levels.

  • The postmenopausal phase lasts for the rest of a person's life after menopause.

  • Thus, menopause marks the end of menstrual periods and fertility, while postmenopause is the subsequent life stage characterized by ongoing hormonal changes and health considerations

Resources:

Alpine Women’s Health Center

Sarah Tyler - Integrative Medicine / Nurse Practitioner specializing in Women’s Health (located in Telluride and offers telehealth)

Dr. Mary Claire - a leading expert on the topic, and offers many free resources including her blog, website, and book.

Dr. Lisa Mosconi - neuroscientist study women’s brain function and cognitive decline, including her book, and one of many podcasts featuring her research.

Dr. Kelly Casperson - advocate for women’s health, has a great podcast called “You Are Not Broken.”

Tamsen Fadal - journalist, author, podcaster and advocate for women’s health in these stages of life. She has a website to find it all.

What are the steps to sign up for this?

For existing CTS or CRT clients — easy. Simply fill out this Google form to register. For folks who are not currently engaged with CTS or CRT, the form covers most of the information we need for your participation but will will reach out to verify.

More questions, feel free to give us a call or send us an email.

To find out more about possible symptoms, click through the categories below.

Symptoms vary in intensity and duration for each person, and while some may persist through postmenopause, others may lessen over time.

    • Night sweats

    • Hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms)

    • Irregular periods or menstrual changes

    • Breast tenderness and swelling

    • Headaches and migraines

    • Weight gain

    • Bloating and digestive problems (gas, cramping, constipation, acid reflux)

    • Joint pain and muscle tension

    • Decreased muscle strength/mass

    • Dizziness and vertigo

    • Changes in taste

    • Burning mouth sensation

    • Heart palpitations or irregular/rapid heartbeat

    • Body odor changes

    • Hair loss or texture changes

    • Brittle nails

    • Itchy skin (pruritus)

    • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

    • Bleeding gums and oral health problems

    • Tingling extremities or paresthesia (pins and needles, numbness)

    • Electric shock sensations under the skin (electric shock sensation)

    • Formication (feeling of bugs crawling on the skin)

    • Fatigue and loss of energy

    • Changes in mood

    • Irritability

    • Insomnia and sleep disturbances

    • Difficulty concentrating

    • Brain fog

    • Anxiety

    • Depression

    • Panic attacks

    • Decreased libido (sex drive)

    • Feelings of dread or impending doom

    • Fatigue

    • Panic attacks

    • Vaginal dryness

    • Vaginal atrophy (thinning of vaginal tissue)

    • Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

    • Vulvovaginal irritation and itching

    • Increased urinary tract infections (UTIs)

    • Overactive bladder

    • Urinary incontinence and urgency

  • During perimenopause and menopause, women are more prone to certain diseases and health conditions due to declining estrogen levels and other aging-related changes.

    Key health risks include:

    Heart Disease and Stroke

    • Estrogen helps keep blood vessels relaxed and maintains a healthy cholesterol balance. After menopause, lower estrogen increases the risk of cardiovascular disease to levels similar to men of the same age.

    • The risk of stroke also rises with age after menopause, partly due to cholesterol buildup in arteries leading to the brain.

    Osteoporosis

    • The decline in estrogen accelerates bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, a condition making bones brittle and prone to fractures.

    • This puts postmenopausal women at greater risk of fractures in the spine and hips.

    Urinary and Genital Health Issues

    • Menopause is associated with increased urinary tract infections, overactive bladder, and urinary incontinence.

    • Vaginal dryness and thinning tissues can cause discomfort and increase infection risks.

    Mental Health Conditions

    • There is an increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, and cognitive changes such as brain fog during perimenopause and menopause.

    • These neurological and psychological changes can be profound and affect quality of life.

    Other Conditions

    • Autoimmune diseases like thyroid disorders and rheumatoid arthritis may become more likely with early menopause or perimenopause.

    • Musculoskeletal issues such as osteoarthritis and sarcopenia (muscle loss) also increase with age, notably in the peri- and postmenopausal period.

    In summary, menopause and perimenopause bring increased vulnerability especially to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary/genital tract conditions, mental health disorders, and some autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases due to hormonal changes and aging processes.

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