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The Michael Shermer Show

The Michael Shermer Show

The Science Behind Menopause

Jun 17, 2025 · 1h 20m

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On this episode

About this episode

When award-winning science writer Amy Alkon was blindsided by her first hot flash, it kicked off a cascade of symptoms—drenching night sweats, insomnia, and a rage she couldn't explain. But what shocked her more was how little real science her doctor had to offer. In this episode, Alkon shares what she uncovered in her deep dive into the research on menopause and perimenopause—the critical yet often neglected years leading up to menopause when millions of women are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or simply told to "wait it out." Drawing from her new book Going Menopostal , she explains why so much medical advice is still based on outdated or inadequate evidence, and what women can do about it.…