Bendy Menopause: Impacts of Hypermobility on Menopause with Vanessa Weiland

 

Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes menopause specialist and nurse practitioner Vanessa Weiland, founder of Phases Clinic and creator of Bendy Menopause, who also has hypermobile EDS and MCAS.

 

Their conversation covers why hypermobility symptoms can shift with hormonal changes, how perimenopause is driven by fluctuating ovarian hormones, and why blood tests are often unhelpful in perimenopause except in specific situations. They discuss HRT in perimenopause, contraception considerations, benefits and risks of modern hormone therapy (including heart and bone health), and the possible role of testosterone. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of individualized symptom-based care, and notes nuances like MCAS sensitivity and progesterone intolerance.

 

00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks

00:35 Meet Vanessa Weiland

01:16 Her Menopause Journey

03:53 Discovering hEDS

05:00 Hypermobility Meets Menopause

07:25 Why Symptoms Shift

10:35 Defining Perimenopause

12:48 Do Hormone Tests Help

14:26 HRT in Perimenopause

15:56 Tracking and Advocacy Tips

18:23 HRT Risks and Benefits

21:38 Bones and Brain Fog

24:58 Testosterone Talk

28:25 Avoiding Misinformation

33:36 Progesterone Intolerance

35:15 Where to Find Vanessa

36:02 Final Thanks and Wrap Up