Perimenopause and Menopause Support, and Why Symptoms Start Early | Blush & Bloom Podcast | Ep. 36

Perimenopause and menopause are two of the most common experiences in a woman's life, yet they remain some of the least understood. Symptoms can start earlier than most women expect, the information online is noisy and often wrong, and too many women are told their symptoms are stress, aging, or "all in their head."

In this episode of Blush & Bloom, host Gigi Kenneth talks with Dr. Sanjana Rao, PhD, a research scientist and co-founder of Miyara Health, a women's health platform focused on midlife, perimenopause, and menopause. Originally from India and now based in Switzerland, Dr. Sanjana spent nearly two decades in research and academia before taking the plunge into entrepreneurship.

Together they unpack why this stage of life is still surrounded by silence, when perimenopause can actually begin, how ethnicity shapes the timing and symptoms, and what it takes to find evidence-backed information in a space full of noise.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why Dr. Sanjana started Miyara Health after her own experience of being dismissed
• When perimenopause can begin, and why it can start in your mid-30s
• How ethnicity affects the age and symptoms of menopause
• How to advocate for yourself when a doctor says it's "normal" or "in your head"
• How to judge whether health information online is trustworthy
• Why workplaces need to take menopause support seriously
• The misconceptions about menopause she most wants to retire

Why did she start Miyara Health?

Miyara began with Dr. Sanjana's own experience. After the birth of her child, her health started changing and she felt unprepared and unaware of what was coming next. When she went to healthcare professionals, she was told it was stress, that she was too young, or that it was all in her head. As a scientist, she was surprised she did not have the answers, and she quickly realized she was not alone.

"I realized it was not only me. There were lots of women around me in similar age and older who had no idea what was coming next."

That gap became the reason for the platform. As she puts it, there is a lot of focus on fertility and pregnancy, but very little on what happens for the next two-thirds of a woman's life. Miyara exists to fill that space.

When does perimenopause start?

Earlier than most people think. Perimenopause, the transition leading up to menopause, can most definitely start in your mid-30s, and it does for many women. It typically begins five to ten years before menopause itself, so symptoms in your 30s and early 40s are common and worth paying attention to rather than dismissing.

Dr. Sanjana notes that timing also depends on ethnicity. The global average age of menopause is around 51, but South Asian women often go through it a few years earlier. That means the perimenopausal window can open even sooner, and the range of symptoms and what helps can differ from one woman to the next.

How can women advocate for themselves at the doctor?

Start by understanding your own baseline. Dr. Sanjana's first piece of advice is to track your symptoms and your cycle for a few weeks or months, so you know what is normal for you and what is not. That clarity turns a vague worry into a clear conversation you can bring to a partner, a healthcare provider, or an employer.

"Symptom tracking. It's your biggest tool."

From there, she says, look for evidence-backed platforms and information. And if your symptoms are real, do not accept being brushed off. As she reminds listeners, there are things you can do to manage this and support yourself, and it is not the end of the world.

🔬 Staying science-backed in a noisy space

Women's health online is a mix of open, honest conversation and a lot of misinformation. Dr. Sanjana is clear that platforms in this space carry a responsibility to be rigorous.

"I think 100% that women's health platforms should be as rigorous as possible."

Some period-tracking and wellness tools move fast and promise a lot, but healthcare, she argues, is not supposed to be super fast all the time. Slower, evidence-led information is a feature, not a bug. Her advice to listeners is to weigh what they read against whether it is actually backed by data before acting on it.

💼 Why workplaces need to act

Menopause is not a niche issue. Every woman will go through it, which is why Miyara runs what Dr. Sanjana describes as sensitization workshops and invites all genders to the conversation so everyone is on the same page. Yet many workplaces are still not ready to talk about it.

"Workplaces need to start waking up and acting now."

The cost of inaction is real. Women are suffering silently, quitting their jobs, and companies are losing experienced, trusted employees simply because they were not supported the right way. Dr. Sanjana also stresses cultural nuance: what is appropriate to raise varies by workplace, region, and background, and good support accounts for that.

🧠 Misconceptions she wants to retire

Two stand out. The first is the age myth, the assumption that menopause only happens in your 50s, when perimenopause can start much earlier. The second is that everyone experiences it the same way, when in reality different ethnicities go through it at different ages and with different symptoms. Retiring both would help more women recognize what is happening in their bodies sooner.

FAQ

When can perimenopause start? Perimenopause can begin in your mid-30s and typically starts five to ten years before menopause. Timing varies by individual and by ethnicity, so early symptoms are worth tracking rather than dismissing.

Does ethnicity affect menopause timing? Yes. The global average age of menopause is around 51, but South Asian women often reach it a few years earlier, which also shifts the perimenopausal window earlier.

What should I do if my doctor says my symptoms are normal or stress? Track your symptoms and cycle so you understand your own baseline, then use that clarity to have a more specific conversation. Seek evidence-backed information and do not accept being dismissed if something feels wrong.

What is Miyara Health? Miyara Health is a women's health platform co-founded by Dr. Sanjana Rao, focused on midlife, perimenopause, and menopause. Its app offers symptom tracking, symptom insights, evidence-backed answers, and access to experts and self-guided programs.

Why should workplaces care about menopause? Every woman will experience menopause, and a lack of support leads to lost productivity and experienced employees leaving their jobs. Awareness and accommodation help retain talent and support staff through a normal life stage.

💬 Final Thoughts

The throughline of this conversation is simple: perimenopause and menopause deserve the same attention, evidence, and support we give to earlier stages of women's health. When symptoms are validated instead of dismissed, women can advocate for themselves, find the right information, and move through this stage with confidence rather than silence.

To learn more about Dr. Sanjana's work, visit Miyara Health, and listen to the full episode of Blush & Bloom on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

👥 Connect with the Guest

Dr. Sanjana Rao, PhD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sraophd/

Gigi Kenneth (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

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