166. Perimenopause, Hormones & the Menopause Myths Most Doctors Still Get Wrong with Christiane Northrup, MD

What if everything you've been taught about menopause is incomplete?

In this special mother-daughter conversation, Kate sits down with her mom, Dr. Christiane Northrup, to unpack decades of research and clinical experience on hormones, aging, and women's health. Together, they explore why menopause is not a disease to fear, but a powerful biological transition that can support greater wisdom, vitality, and connection.

Dr. Northrup shares how her groundbreaking work challenged conventional medicine long before these conversations became mainstream, including her advocacy for bioidentical hormones, natural progesterone, and treating women as whole human beings rather than collections of symptoms. She explains the hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause, what women can realistically expect, and why so many common symptoms can be addressed with the right combination of lifestyle, nutrition, movement, and individualized care.

Kate and Christiane also dive into the relationship between stress, fascia, emotional health, and the nervous system, exploring how unresolved emotions can manifest physically and why healing often requires more than simply treating symptoms. Along the way, they discuss alcohol, sleep, muscle health, cholesterol myths, hormone testing, longevity, and the importance of questioning outdated medical assumptions.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Northrup encourages women to become active participants in their own health, combining evidence-based medicine with intuition, critical thinking, and self-trust.

Whether you're approaching perimenopause, already in menopause, or simply interested in optimizing your long-term health, this episode offers practical guidance, myth-busting insights, and a refreshing perspective on one of the most transformative seasons of a woman's life.

“Menopause is not a disease.” - Dr. Christiane Northrup

🎤 Let’s Dive into the Good Stuff on Plenty 🎤

00:00 Why Menopause Isn't Inevitable

02:10 Why This Conversation Matters

04:01 Oprah & The Wisdom of Menopause

10:24 What Perimenopause Really Is