When Leigh Ann Evanson entered perimenopause, she went in blind. That is to say, her providers scarcely mentioned it, and the sum total of her conversations with her mom about the transition was a demonstration of a full-bloom hot flash. As a voracious reader and self-proclaimed “information hoarder,” Leigh Ann approached the experience how she knew best — by diving into the research. But, as those of us with savvy menopause-trained algorithms know, just because there’s more information out there, doesn’t mean it’s legit.

We talked with Leigh Ann about navigating the administrative burden of menopause research in a country with so few menopause-trained clinicians, and how her Elektra membership helped turn things around.

Going it alone

At 40, I said to my General Practitioner, who I loved — that I wanted to talk about menopause and that I felt like it was coming, and he said “oh, I don’t do that.” I was flabbergasted. The only time I remember a provider talking to me about it is when I went to have an IUD inserted, and the gynecologist told me this would be great because it would just coast me into menopause.

The menopause symptoms she didn’t see coming…

My symptoms have not been super physical. I’ve had mini-hot flashes, but it’s really more like feeling warm — I don’t break into a big sweat or anything. What I’ve found is that it’s really my mood; I feel all the emotions. You know, mad and sad a lot. I also think it might be the appropriate reaction to the state of the world — that I’m pissed off and despondent — but at the same time, it’s not really who I am. I think I fall into the category of people who say “I just don’t feel like myself.”

“I just don’t feel like myself.”

How Elektra supported her on the path to relief…

I’ve talked to Beth three times since joining Elektra, and the first time I burst into tears. She had asked me how my emotions were, and to have someone actually asking because they are trying to help was such a relief. The idea that I’m allowed to say “I’m rage filled” and “I don’t recognize myself,” and have her say “it’s all normal” was just really validating. I felt like I could breathe.

I’m an information hoarder and Elektra has been a really nice source of both information and community. Beth helped walk me through what to expect when I went to speak with my gynecologist about menopause, including how to handle possible responses from the doctor. While the provider I saw ended up being fantastic, to walk in armed with information just made me feel really hopeful.

“I’m an information hoarder and Elektra has been a really nice source of both information and community.”

Relief and reflection…

I’m on hormone therapy now, and I do feel more balanced. I think the state of the world now requires a healthy bit of rage, but at the same time, I do feel sharper. I also feel like I have more tools in my toolbox. I have a number of friends who are younger than me — my best friend is 10 years younger — and I keep saying to her “girl, you’ve got to know what is going to be happening.” I feel like someone at 35 needs to know what’s coming.

When I ask my mom about her experience, she doesn’t remember much, except for the fact that she gained a bunch of weight — which I’m in the process of doing. I’m working on recognizing that this is a time in life where your body changes, and that’s okay.

“I feel like someone at 35 needs to know what’s coming.”

READ MORE: An Elektra Patient Opens Up About The Menopause Symptoms That Took Her (And Her Doctors) By Surprise