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Purely Menopause Blog


Listening First: Why Menopause Care Should Be Symptom-Driven, Not Lab-Driven
Menopause is a deeply personal experience, and each woman’s journey is unique. For many, the earliest signs—hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes, and vaginal dryness—are what prompt the first conversations about care. Although hormone tests may seem like a natural next step, the truth is that your symptoms, not your lab results, are the most reliable guide to effective treatment. In recent years, there’s been a cultural shift. Menopause is no longer whisp

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Sep 2, 20254 min read


Empty Nest, Fuller Life: Redefining Midlife on Your Terms
Midlife often brings more than one big transition. For many women, menopause overlaps with another life shift: children moving out and a home that suddenly feels quieter. The first few weeks can feel strange. The house is emptier, routines have shifted, and it’s natural to notice a pang of sadness or even grief. Many women report feeling a loss of purpose as their focus on parenting shifts. Research suggests that around 30% of women experience symptoms similar to grief when t

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Aug 25, 20255 min read


Protecting Skin and Hair in Midlife Summers
There’s a lot to love about summer: longer days, sunshine, time outdoors. But if you’re in midlife, you may have noticed that your skin and hair aren’t handling summer as well as when you were younger. Maybe your skin feels more reactive or drier than normal. Maybe your hair gets brittle after a swim, or your usual sunscreen suddenly stings.

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Aug 18, 20254 min read


Alcohol-Free Summer Sips
Curated by Purely Menopause Why Consider Alcohol-Free? Many women in midlife find alcohol impacts their hot flashes, sleep, mood, and energy more than before. Choosing alcohol-free options—even a few days a week—can help reduce symptoms while keeping your social and relaxing moments flavorful and fun.

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Aug 11, 20253 min read


Alcohol, Menopause, and Summer Socializing
Summer often includes patio dinners, weddings, beach getaways, and casual evenings with friends under the string lights. And for many, these moments come with a glass in hand. Maybe it’s a cold beer after a hike or bike ride, a glass of wine at book club, or a margarita on a hot Friday night. It’s familiar. It’s social. It’s part of the rhythm of summer. But if you're in the midst of perimenopause or menopause, you might have started to notice something different: maybe that

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Aug 11, 20253 min read


How to Find Reliable Menopause Resources (and Avoid Getting Scammed)
I can’t tell you how many times I hear from patients, “I feel like I’m on my own with menopause. There’s so much information out there, but I don’t know who or what to trust.” You’re not imagining it—menopause has been treated like a taboo subject for generations. Many of us grew up never hearing about it, so when symptoms begin, it can feel like we’re suddenly dropped into uncharted territory. And although the recent surge in celebrity conversations and new drug approvals ha

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Aug 4, 20256 min read


Summer Challenge: Sample Weekly Workout for Women 45+
🔁 Weekly Training Goals 2–3 days/week of strength training (≤8 reps per set, lift heavy) 2 short HIIT sessions/week 150+ minutes/week...

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jul 28, 20252 min read


Busy Summer? Here’s How to Stay Strong and Active After 45
For midlife women, consistent movement remains one of the most powerful tools for long-term health. This week’s post explores how to adapt your fitness routine for summer while continuing to support strength, mobility, and overall well-being in menopause and beyond. Fitting in workouts during summer can feel harder than ever with shifting routines, travel, and a full family calendar. But those same seasonal changes can actually work in your favor—offering different options fo

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jul 28, 20254 min read


The Summer Body Image Trap: Reclaiming Confidence Post-Menopause
As summer arrives, so do the ads, challenges, and well-meaning advice about getting your “summer body” back. For many women in midlife, this messaging can stir up old insecurities and new frustrations. And it’s not just about bathing suits or beach vacations—it’s about the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations at a time when your body is evolving in ways you didn’t choose. In this week's post, we break down where these cultural messages come from, what really happens to b

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jul 21, 20254 min read


Why Heat Feels Harder After Menopause
This week’s blog dives into something many midlife women have noticed—but haven’t always had explained: why the heat suddenly feels so much more intense. Whether you’re working out, gardening, or simply trying to stay cool on a summer day, the physiological shifts that happen during and after menopause make heat harder to handle. We’ll break down the science, explore what your body is doing differently now, and share strategies you can actually use. Topics include hydration t

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jul 14, 20255 min read


Will I Ever Feel Good Again? Menopause Emotional Resilience
One of the most common questions women ask as they enter menopause is: How can I maintain emotional resilience during this stage? Menopause brings unpredictable symptoms, mood swings, and changes in sleep and libido, making it harder to feel like yourself. Focusing on menopause emotional resilience and menopause mood support can help you regain balance, manage stress, and ultimately feel good after menopause . Although perimenopause can feel like an ongoing roller coaster,

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jul 7, 20253 min read


Thriving Through Menopause: Evidence-Based Strategies for Health and Well-Being
Menopause is not just a biological milestone—it’s a new phase of life that can bring both challenges and opportunities for growth. While symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disruption are common, this transition also offers a powerful moment to reassess priorities and invest in long-term health. This post provides evidence-informed strategies for managing menopausal symptoms and enhancing overall well-being, helping you move through this phase with confidence,

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jun 30, 20256 min read


Why Sleep During Menopause Is So Important
If you're going through menopause and finding it hard to get a good night's sleep, you're not alone. Although sleep problems are common during this stage of life, they aren’t something to ignore because the consequences of poor sleep can ripple through every part of your health.

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jun 18, 20253 min read


New Research: Duavee's Emerging Role in Breast Cancer Risk Reduction in Menopause
Many women weighing menopause treatment options also want clear information about how different therapies influence breast cancer risk. That’s why new research on Duavee and breast cancer risk is getting so much attention.

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jun 16, 20253 min read


Getting Comfortable Again: Understanding and Treating Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
If you’ve noticed vaginal dryness, irritation, pain with sex, or urinary discomfort since menopause, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. These are common, treatable symptoms of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) , a condition that affects the vagina, vulva, and urinary tract as estrogen levels decline.

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Jun 9, 20253 min read


Your Bones During Menopause
When we talk about menopause, symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness often take center stage. But there's one major health concern that deserves just as much attention: your bones .

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
May 26, 20253 min read


Menopause Isn’t the End—It’s a New Beginning
If you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s office feeling dismissed, confused, or unheard when talking about menopause, you’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not alone. A 2019 study found that of 177 resident physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, and even obstetrics/gynecology, 20% received no formal education on menopause during their training. Even more striking: fewer than 7% felt prepared to care for women through this important stage of life.

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
May 19, 20253 min read


What to Know About Postmenopausal Bleeding
Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) can feel alarming—and it should never be ignored. If you’ve gone 12 months or more without a period, any spotting, staining, or bleeding is considered postmenopausal bleeding , even if it’s just one episode.

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
May 12, 20254 min read


Back to Basics: Understanding the Phases and Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is a natural transition in a woman’s life that marks the end of her reproductive years. Understanding the phases of menopause and its symptoms is crucial for managing this significant life change. In this blog post, we will explore the different stages of menopause, common symptoms, and ways to navigate this journey smoothly.

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
May 5, 20253 min read


The Surprising Shifts in Sexual Health During Menopause—and How to Regain Pleasure
For many women, menopause marks the end of one chapter, but for others, it’s the start of a deeper, more nuanced understanding of their bodies. Among the many changes we face—hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings—one of the most surprising and often disheartening shifts is in our sexual health. What was once natural can suddenly feel like a distant memory. Orgasm, a deeply satisfying experience, may feel elusive, leaving us wondering, What happened?

Dr. Rochelle Bernstein
Apr 28, 20254 min read
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