Why Are Millions of Women Still Suffering in Silence—and Who’s Finally Speaking the Truth About Menopause?

Hello Warriors!

Welcome back to the ‘Pause Like a Warrior newsletter. This week, we’re diving headfirst into the often-silenced truths about menopause with none other than Dr. Mary Claire Haver. From medical gaslighting to the shocking lack of menopause training in OB-GYN education, Dr. Haver exposes the system-wide failures that leave millions of women suffering without answers. This episode is a masterclass in self-advocacy and science-backed solutions—from the realities of visceral fat and hormone shifts to what your doctor should be telling you but likely isn’t.

In episode 132, I reconnect with Dr. Mary Claire Haver—board-certified OB-GYN, founder of The Galveston Diet, author of The New Menopause, and unapologetic voice for women in midlife. With millions of followers and a mission rooted in education and empowerment, Dr. Haver breaks down what’s really happening in our bodies, why nutrition matters more than ever, and how to reclaim control over our health with grit, grace, and zero guilt.

5 Truth Bombs That Might Change Your Menopause Game

1. “Your Doctor Might Be Clueless About Menopause—And It’s Not Even Their Fault”

Dr. Haver revealed a shocking truth: OB-GYNs receive virtually no training on menopause—“maybe 1% of our entire education,” she says. That means the person you trust for your midlife health journey may be completely unprepared to help you. No wonder so many women feel gaslit when they seek answers.

2. “Hot Flashes Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg—Think Anxiety, Autoimmunity, and Heart Palpitations”

Forget the cliché of women fanning themselves—Dr. Haver pulls back the curtain on the hidden symptoms: worsening mental health, autoimmune flare-ups, and heart palpitations all spike during perimenopause, often misdiagnosed or dismissed entirely. The kicker? Most women don't connect these symptoms to hormonal changes at all.

3. “Weight Gain Isn’t Your Fault—And Diet Culture Might Be Making It Worse”

The Galveston Diet, designed specifically for menopausal women, ditches outdated “eat less, move more” advice. Instead, it targets visceral fat—the dangerous fat around your organs—through anti-inflammatory nutrition and intermittent fasting. It’s not about bikinis. It’s about disease prevention.

4. “There Is No Blood Test for Perimenopause—Anyone Who Tells You Otherwise Is Selling Something”

Despite what some trendy wellness brands promise, there’s no medically recognized test for perimenopause. Dr. Haver uses a symptom-based scoring tool from the Australasian Menopause Society, paired with education, to empower women to self-advocate.

5. “Painful Sex Isn’t a Libido Problem—It’s a Hormone Problem, and It’s Fixable”

Vaginal dryness and pain aren’t inevitable—they’re treatable with estrogen therapy that has zero cancer risk when applied topically. Dr. Haver emphasizes this is FDA-approved, safe, and something every woman should know about. “No one should suffer in silence.”

Big News: $10 Million Pledge to End Menopause Misinformation in Medicine

In a May 29, 2025 article from Femtech Insider, The Menopause Society (some great resources here) announced a $10 million initiative to tackle one of the most critical—and often overlooked—failures in women’s healthcare: the widespread lack of menopause training among clinicians. The ambitious goal? Train and certify 25,000 healthcare providers with evidence-based education so fewer women are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or gaslit during perimenopause and beyond. Now this is big news!

Key Highlights:

• Massive training gap: Most OB-GYNs receive less than a few hours of menopause-specific education during residency.

• New certification pathways: The initiative includes scholarships and free access to credentialing programs through The Menopause Society.

• Primary care focus: This isn’t just for specialists—training will target PCPs, nurses, and allied health professionals to broaden impact.

• Urgency meets funding: The campaign is part of a larger movement to improve midlife care and prevent chronic illness in aging women.

• Your role: Patients are encouraged to ask if their providers are Menopause Society-certified—and advocate for better-informed care.The Future of Menopause Monitoring Is Wearable

Ready to Warrior Up!

Listen to the Full Episode: Suburban Warrior podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for reading—and remember, knowledge is power! If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them. There is help (and hope) out there. Stay tuned for our next newsletter to keep transforming your mindset and rocking your inner warrior!