Perimenopause, Pleasure Principles and Purpose: Menopause On MY Terms with Shirley Weir

Perimenopause, Pleasure Principles and Purpose: Menopause On MY Terms with Shirley Weir

From The Gritty Nurse by Amie Archibald-Varley

April 16, 2026 · 41 min · Season 7 · Episode 15

About this episode

In this episode, Shirley Weir discusses the challenges and advocacy surrounding perimenopause and women's health.

"Normal is a setting on your dryer—not a standard for your health." In this episode of The Gritty Nurse , we're joined by Shirley Weir , the "Vagina Health Evangelist" and founder of Menopause Chicks . Shirley didn't just start a community of 50,000+ women; she started a revolution against the "Mokita"—the things we all know but refuse to discuss. As nurses, we see patients every day who dismiss their own suffering because they've been told it's "just part of being a woman." Shirley challenges this narrative head-on. We dive into the systemic gaps in women's health research, the "pleasure gap" in genitourinary care, and the grit required to navigate a healthcare system that was never designed with midlife women in mind. We're breaking down: The Perimenopause Pivot: Why your late 30s are the most critical time to start paying attention. The "Script Tip": A literal sentence you can use when a doctor tries to dismiss your symptoms. The Investment Phase: How to prioritize brain, bone, and heart health for your "second half." Systemic Advocacy: Why nurses are the ultimate bridge between clinical research and patient empowerment. Stop "sucking it up" and start advocating. This isn't…

People in this episode

Host: Amie Archibald-Varley

Guest: Shirley Weir

Topics covered

  • perimenopause
  • women's health
  • health advocacy
  • genitourinary care
  • patient empowerment
  • midlife health

Keywords

  • perimenopause
  • women's health
  • health advocacy
  • genitourinary care
  • pleasure gap
  • midlife women
  • health investment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Menopause Chicks

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