Rochelle Bernstein, MD, FACOG, MSCP
@purelymenopause.com
Evidence-based OBGYN. Specialize in menopause and sexual health. Raised 2 kids without breaking them or me. Spend most of my free time on my mountain bike or my skis.
Abortion is healthcare. Vaccines save lives. Women's rights are human rights.
Abortion is healthcare. Vaccines save lives. Women's rights are human rights.
Headaches acting differently in midlife? Hormones, blood pressure shifts, and a more reactive stress system all play a role. This week’s Purely Empowered post explains why these changes happen and what helps.
The Surprising Ways Hormones and Blood Pressure Affect Your Head in Midlife
Many women notice that headaches and migraine shift during their 40s and 50s. Some experience headaches more often, others feel them more intensely, and some develop migraine for the first time. These...
www.purelymenopause.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Headaches acting differently in midlife? Hormones, blood pressure shifts, and a more reactive stress system all play a role. This week’s Purely Empowered post explains why these changes happen and what helps.
Some women in their 30s and early 40s assume mood swings, sleep problems, and irregular periods are hormonal. Our latest blog explains why that isn’t always the case, when MHT is truly appropriate, and what evidence actually supports. Smart care starts with understanding the full picture.
Are These Symptoms Perimenopause—or Something Else? Insights for Women at Any Age
I’m hearing from more and more women in their 30s and early 40s who, after reading about menopause on social media or hearing about it from their friends, wonder if their own mood swings, irregular pe...
www.purelymenopause.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Some women in their 30s and early 40s assume mood swings, sleep problems, and irregular periods are hormonal. Our latest blog explains why that isn’t always the case, when MHT is truly appropriate, and what evidence actually supports. Smart care starts with understanding the full picture.
Many women are surprised that menopause can influence blood sugar and metabolism. Even if diabetes has never been on your radar, midlife brings shifts in how your body handles glucose & early signs can be subtle. Learn why these changes happen and how they show up day to day.
Menopause Makes Blood Sugar More Important Than You Think
As women move into perimenopause and beyond, hormonal shifts can create a perfect storm for changes in blood sugar and metabolism. Even women who have never had concerns about insulin resistance may s...
www.purelymenopause.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Many women are surprised that menopause can influence blood sugar and metabolism. Even if diabetes has never been on your radar, midlife brings shifts in how your body handles glucose & early signs can be subtle. Learn why these changes happen and how they show up day to day.
Stress eating during the holidays? You’re not alone—and menopause hormones play a big role. Learn what’s behind the cravings and how to create a pause before reacting.
Managing Stress Eating During the Holidays in Menopause
The holidays are coming—Thanksgiving around the corner, Christmas and Hanukkah not far behind—and for many women, that can mean more than festive lights and celebrations. It’s also a season of jugglin...
www.purelymenopause.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Stress eating during the holidays? You’re not alone—and menopause hormones play a big role. Learn what’s behind the cravings and how to create a pause before reacting.
Just published: my recap of the most important takeaways from the 2025 Menopause Society Annual Meeting.
Patients deserve access to this information so this week’s post is free to all subscribers.
Patients deserve access to this information so this week’s post is free to all subscribers.
Highlights from the 2025 Menopause Society Annual Meeting: What’s New for Women’s Health
The 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society, held October 21–25 in Orlando, covered perimenopause, menopause, sexual health, brain function, bone health, sleep, and more. Here’s a patient-focused...
www.purelymenopause.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Just published: my recap of the most important takeaways from the 2025 Menopause Society Annual Meeting.
Patients deserve access to this information so this week’s post is free to all subscribers.
Patients deserve access to this information so this week’s post is free to all subscribers.
If you’re active but feeling drained, menopause may be changing how your body uses energy. And eating too little can work against your strength and recovery.
Eat to Stay Strong: Rethinking Nutrition for the Active Midlife Woman
One of the most overlooked shifts during the menopause transition is nutrition. The same foods and habits that fueled you through your 30s may not serve you as well now, especially if you’re active an...
www.purelymenopause.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:34 AM
If you’re active but feeling drained, menopause may be changing how your body uses energy. And eating too little can work against your strength and recovery.
Menopause can change desire, arousal, and orgasm, but it doesn’t have to end your sexual satisfaction. Our latest Q&A covers practical, evidence-based strategies.
Trouble With Sex in Menopause? You’re Not Alone
In this Q&A, we’ll explore how menopause can affect sexual desire and arousal, why orgasms may feel different, and practical, evidence-based strategies to help you maintain satisfying sexual experienc...
www.purelymenopause.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Menopause can change desire, arousal, and orgasm, but it doesn’t have to end your sexual satisfaction. Our latest Q&A covers practical, evidence-based strategies.
Can menopause hormone therapy protect your heart? The best evidence to date says no—MHT doesn’t prevent heart disease, though it’s safe and effective for treating hot flashes, night sweats & GSM symptoms and for preventing osteoporosis. What does work: exercise, diet, & proven meds like statins.
Can Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) Protect Your Heart? Here’s the Truth
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, and the risk rises sharply during and after menopause. In fact, within about 10 years of menopause, a woman’s risk approaches that ...
www.purelymenopause.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Can menopause hormone therapy protect your heart? The best evidence to date says no—MHT doesn’t prevent heart disease, though it’s safe and effective for treating hot flashes, night sweats & GSM symptoms and for preventing osteoporosis. What does work: exercise, diet, & proven meds like statins.
Perimenopause can feel like a hormonal rollercoaster—mood swings, heavy periods, night sweats, brain fog, and more.
In my latest post, I share real patient stories and explain why this happens and what actually helps.
In my latest post, I share real patient stories and explain why this happens and what actually helps.
Perimenopause: A Rollercoaster of Hormones and Symptoms
Perimenopause—the years leading up to menopause—is often called a “transition,” but for many women, it feels more like a rollercoaster of unpredictable symptoms. Hormone levels rise and fall unevenly,...
www.purelymenopause.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Perimenopause can feel like a hormonal rollercoaster—mood swings, heavy periods, night sweats, brain fog, and more.
In my latest post, I share real patient stories and explain why this happens and what actually helps.
In my latest post, I share real patient stories and explain why this happens and what actually helps.
Reposted by Rochelle Bernstein, MD, FACOG, MSCP
💉New study of HPV vaccine shows “robust population-level effectiveness & herd protection in adolescent girls & young women”
From 2006-2023:
➡️ Proportion of vaxxed women positive for high-risk HPV-16 & -18 types fell 98.4%, proportion of unvaxxed women fell 71.6%
1/2
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
From 2006-2023:
➡️ Proportion of vaxxed women positive for high-risk HPV-16 & -18 types fell 98.4%, proportion of unvaxxed women fell 71.6%
1/2
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Population-Level Effectiveness and Herd Protection 17 Years After HPV Vaccine
This cross-sectional study investigates population-level effectiveness and herd protection in the first 17 years after human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among adolescent girls and young women at ...
jamanetwork.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
💉New study of HPV vaccine shows “robust population-level effectiveness & herd protection in adolescent girls & young women”
From 2006-2023:
➡️ Proportion of vaxxed women positive for high-risk HPV-16 & -18 types fell 98.4%, proportion of unvaxxed women fell 71.6%
1/2
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
From 2006-2023:
➡️ Proportion of vaxxed women positive for high-risk HPV-16 & -18 types fell 98.4%, proportion of unvaxxed women fell 71.6%
1/2
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Estrogen isn’t one hormone—it’s four: estradiol, estriol, estetrol, and estrone. After menopause, estradiol drops sharply, affecting muscles, mood, metabolism & more. But do you know about the other 3?
Estradiol, Estrone, Estriol, and Estetrol: All Estrogens are not Equal
When most women hear the word menopause, they think of estrogen dropping. And although that’s true, the full story is more complex, and understanding the big picture can help make sense of the symptom...
www.purelymenopause.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Estrogen isn’t one hormone—it’s four: estradiol, estriol, estetrol, and estrone. After menopause, estradiol drops sharply, affecting muscles, mood, metabolism & more. But do you know about the other 3?
Menopause can make stress feel heavier and disrupt sleep and mood. Learn why hormonal changes impact stress resilience—and discover evidence-based strategies to manage stress and support mental well-being.
From Frustration to Resilience: Handling Stress in Midlife
It’s 7 a.m., and the coffee is brewing. Already, you feel tense: the kids are arguing over who's turn it is to take the recycling, the dog is barking at his mortal enemy—the same squirrel he’s been ch...
www.purelymenopause.com
September 15, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Menopause can make stress feel heavier and disrupt sleep and mood. Learn why hormonal changes impact stress resilience—and discover evidence-based strategies to manage stress and support mental well-being.
Hot flashes + night sweats? Relief isn’t one-size-fits-all. MHT is most effective. But for women who can’t—or don’t want to—use hormones, new non-hormonal options are available.
Beyond Hormones: Navigating Your Options for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Many menopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS)—hot flashes and night sweats—that can disrupt sleep, mood, and daily life. For decades, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has been the gold sta...
www.purelymenopause.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Hot flashes + night sweats? Relief isn’t one-size-fits-all. MHT is most effective. But for women who can’t—or don’t want to—use hormones, new non-hormonal options are available.
Chasing hormone numbers won’t solve menopause symptoms—evidence-based care will. My new blog explains why lab panels aren't usually necessary and may be more harmful than helpful, the truth about “bioidentical” hormones, and which tests do matter in midlife.
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 prom...
www.purelymenopause.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Chasing hormone numbers won’t solve menopause symptoms—evidence-based care will. My new blog explains why lab panels aren't usually necessary and may be more harmful than helpful, the truth about “bioidentical” hormones, and which tests do matter in midlife.
Midlife transitions often collide: menopause + kids leaving home. That quiet house can feel overwhelming — but it’s also a chance to rediscover yourself. www.purelymenopause.com/post/empty-n...
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 ...
www.purelymenopause.com
August 25, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Midlife transitions often collide: menopause + kids leaving home. That quiet house can feel overwhelming — but it’s also a chance to rediscover yourself. www.purelymenopause.com/post/empty-n...
Menopause affects your skin + hair, too: dryness, irritation, thinning, sun sensitivity. My latest blog explains why & what you can do.
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...
www.purelymenopause.com
August 18, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Menopause affects your skin + hair, too: dryness, irritation, thinning, sun sensitivity. My latest blog explains why & what you can do.
Hot flashes after happy hour? Sleep off after wine night?
Alcohol-Free Summer Sips has you covered—mocktail recipes, top NA beers & wines, and the best canned options for a vibrant, symptom-friendly summer.
Alcohol-Free Summer Sips has you covered—mocktail recipes, top NA beers & wines, and the best canned options for a vibrant, symptom-friendly summer.
Alcohol-Free Summer Sips
Curated by Purely MenopauseWhy 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…
www.purelymenopause.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Hot flashes after happy hour? Sleep off after wine night?
Alcohol-Free Summer Sips has you covered—mocktail recipes, top NA beers & wines, and the best canned options for a vibrant, symptom-friendly summer.
Alcohol-Free Summer Sips has you covered—mocktail recipes, top NA beers & wines, and the best canned options for a vibrant, symptom-friendly summer.
Has your usual glass of wine started hitting you differently in midlife? This week on Purely Menopause: Why alcohol affects the menopausal body differently + what research says about symptoms.
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 a...
www.purelymenopause.com
August 11, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Has your usual glass of wine started hitting you differently in midlife? This week on Purely Menopause: Why alcohol affects the menopausal body differently + what research says about symptoms.
There’s a lot of noise around menopause, from hormone “customization” to buzzwords like "bioidentical." I just published a blog post that busts some of the biggest myths and helps women make sense of what’s legit—and what’s marketing. www.purelymenopause.com/post/how-to-...
Explore Comprehensive Menopause Support Services
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—m...
www.purelymenopause.com
August 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM
There’s a lot of noise around menopause, from hormone “customization” to buzzwords like "bioidentical." I just published a blog post that busts some of the biggest myths and helps women make sense of what’s legit—and what’s marketing. www.purelymenopause.com/post/how-to-...
Busy summer? Travel, guests, late nights? You’re not alone. This week’s free blog post shows how to keep up your workouts during summer without overhauling your life: strength, cardio & HIIT, ideas for short, smart movement, & why consistency > perfection
www.purelymenopause.com/post/busy-su...
www.purelymenopause.com/post/busy-su...
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 s...
www.purelymenopause.com
July 29, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Busy summer? Travel, guests, late nights? You’re not alone. This week’s free blog post shows how to keep up your workouts during summer without overhauling your life: strength, cardio & HIIT, ideas for short, smart movement, & why consistency > perfection
www.purelymenopause.com/post/busy-su...
www.purelymenopause.com/post/busy-su...
Feeling weird in your body this summer? It's not just you. Menopause changes where we store fat—usually around our belly. It’s normal. But if that change is messing with your confidence, I wrote something for you. www.purelymenopause.com/post/the-sum...
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...
www.purelymenopause.com
July 21, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Feeling weird in your body this summer? It's not just you. Menopause changes where we store fat—usually around our belly. It’s normal. But if that change is messing with your confidence, I wrote something for you. www.purelymenopause.com/post/the-sum...
Feeling like the heat hits differently in midlife? It’s not in your head—it’s your physiology. This week, we’re breaking down why heat tolerance changes after menopause and what you can do about it. Full post available with a free or paid subscription.
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 simp...
www.purelymenopause.com
July 15, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Feeling like the heat hits differently in midlife? It’s not in your head—it’s your physiology. This week, we’re breaking down why heat tolerance changes after menopause and what you can do about it. Full post available with a free or paid subscription.
“Will I ever feel like myself again after menopause. It’s one of the most common questions—and the answer is often yes. This new post covers what improves, why stress feels harder (and what helps), how libido shifts, and where to get real support.
Will I Ever Feel Good Again?
One of the most common questions women ask as they enter menopause is: Will I ever feel like myself again? It’s a valid concern—especially when the early stages of the menopausal transition bring unpr...
www.purelymenopause.com
July 7, 2025 at 6:03 PM
“Will I ever feel like myself again after menopause. It’s one of the most common questions—and the answer is often yes. This new post covers what improves, why stress feels harder (and what helps), how libido shifts, and where to get real support.
What actually works for managing menopause symptoms? These are the most effective, evidence-based options—hormonal, non-hormonal, lifestyle, and more.
Managing Menopause: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
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 a...
www.purelymenopause.com
July 1, 2025 at 12:07 AM
What actually works for managing menopause symptoms? These are the most effective, evidence-based options—hormonal, non-hormonal, lifestyle, and more.
Menopause and sleep don’t always mix—but poor sleep isn’t something to ignore. It can affect your heart, mood, metabolism & memory. The good news? There are things you can do. Read our latest post on how to start sleeping better tonight.
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…
www.purelymenopause.com
June 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Menopause and sleep don’t always mix—but poor sleep isn’t something to ignore. It can affect your heart, mood, metabolism & memory. The good news? There are things you can do. Read our latest post on how to start sleeping better tonight.