Peri & Pause

06/21/2026

A patient came to see us last month.

She had been to three other providers. Her labs were "normal." She was told she was stressed. She was offered an antidepressant.

She is 43.

At her first visit with us, we listened - really listened - for an hour. We ran a full panel including her Lp(a), ferritin, vitamin D and a thorough thyroid workup.

Her ferritin was 11. Her Lp(a) was elevated. Her thyroid, while technically "in range," wasn't optimized for how she was feeling.

She wasn't crazy. She wasn't just stressed. She was perimenopausal, iron-depleted, and at cardiovascular risk that nobody had named yet.

This is why we do what we do.

Perimenopause and menopause are not just about hot flashes. They are a window into a woman's long-term health - cardiovascular, metabolic, cognitive, skeletal.

At Peri & Pause we treat what's in front of us AND what's coming.

If you have felt unheard or dismissed, if your labs have been called normal while you feel anything but - come see us.

You deserve to be believed. And you deserve a plan.

📍 Fuquay-Varina + Raleigh, NC
🌐 periandpause.com

06/16/2026

We shared this a while back, but because this question comes up so often, we thought it was worth sharing again.

In 2013, researchers looked at what happened after millions of women stopped taking estrogen following the early reports from the Women’s Health Initiative study. They estimated that between 18,000 and 91,000 women who had undergone hysterectomy may have died prematurely over the following decade because estrogen therapy was avoided.

The point isn’t that every woman should take estrogen.

The point is that many women were scared away from even discussing hormone therapy because of headlines, misinformation, and fear.

Hormone therapy isn’t right for everyone. Your symptoms, medical history, and personal risk factors all matter. But women deserve accurate information and the opportunity to make informed decisions about their health.

If you’ve ever been told that hormone therapy is “too dangerous”, you’re “too young”, you’re “too old” or you’ve simply wondered whether it might be an option for you, it may be worth having that conversation with a qualified healthcare professional who is up to date on the current evidence.

Fear should never be the reason a woman misses out on understanding all of her options.

06/14/2026

Stories matter, right?! Nothing like us midlife women sharing ALL the stories.🗣 Who better IMO!

One of the awesome hosts of Bottom of the Scrub Bin recently shared her personal experience navigating midlife health changes and the impact that finding the right support had on her journey.

We're feeling pretty honored that Peri & Pause was mentioned as part of that story, but even more importantly, we are grateful for her willingness to speak openly about experiences that so many women are living through in silence.

When women share their stories, other women realize they are not alone.

If you enjoy honest conversations about nursing, healthcare, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the realities behind the scenes, be sure to give their podcast a follow. 🎙

Thank you for using your voice to help educate, empower, and support other women! ❤️

Brain fog. Hot flashes. Weight gain. Anxiety. People pleasing. Soun...

06/13/2026

This weekend, many families are celebrating high school graduations.

Congratulations to every graduate stepping into an exciting new chapter.

And to the moms…

Take a moment to celebrate, too.

You’ve spent years driving to practices, helping with homework, staying up late worrying, cheering from the sidelines, and loving your children through every stage of their lives.

Today is your accomplishment, too.

As proud as you are of your graduate, this milestone often marks the beginning of a new chapter for you as well.

A quieter house.
A little more freedom.
New opportunities.
New dreams.
New ways of discovering who you are outside of the daily demands of motherhood.

It’s easy to focus on what is changing and what is ending.

But there is also so much beginning.

At Peri & Pause, we talk often about transitions. We believe every season of a woman’s life has value, purpose, and beauty - including the ones that feel unfamiliar at first.

The most exciting chapters are not reserved for our youth.

They are available to us throughout our lives when we’re willing to embrace them.

Congratulations to the graduates.

And congratulations to the moms who helped them get there.

Your next chapter matters, too. ❤️

06/09/2026

We chose Tammy's question to kick off our new Ask Us Anything podcast series because we know she's not alone. 🫶

After having a hysterectomy with her ovaries removed, Tammy found herself feeling lost, struggling with symptoms, and wondering where to turn for answers.

It's a story we hear far too often.

In this episode, we talk about surgical menopause, the changes women can experience afterward, and why so many are left searching for support.

🎙️ If you've ever felt dismissed, confused, or like no one explained what comes next, this conversation is for you.

Watch Episode 1 below and let us know what questions you'd like us to answer next. 🎥

In this Ask Us Anything episode of Perimenopause the Podcast, Jamie...

06/06/2026

"Women are more than a collection of symptoms."

In this clip from our Founder Series podcast, Peri & Pause Co-Founder Stuart Gallagher shares a perspective that has shaped our vision from the very beginning.

Too often, healthcare focuses on individual symptoms. But women don't experience life in separate categories - and their healthcare shouldn't either.

At Peri & Pause, we believe women deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for as whole people.

Take a listen and let us know what resonates with you. 💙

06/05/2026

🏃‍♀️💙 We can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow at Run the Quay!

At Peri & Pause, we’re proud to call Fuquay-Varina home, and we’re honored to be a sponsor of such a fun community event.

Be sure to stop by our tent and say hello! We’ll have:
✨ Electrolyte packets
✨ Creatine packets
✨ Friendly faces ready to cheer you on

Whether you’re running, walking, volunteering, or just coming out to support the event, we’d love the opportunity to meet you and thank you for supporting local businesses and our amazing community.

See you bright and early in downtown Fuquay-Varina! 💙

Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce

05/31/2026

🎙️ ASK US ANYTHING 🎙️

We’re launching a new podcast series in “Peri & Pause - The Podcast”, and this one is all about YOU.

What questions do you have about perimenopause, menopause, hormone therapy, sleep, anxiety, brain fog, weight changes, relationships, careers, parenting, aging parents, or simply navigating midlife?

Drop your questions in the comments below, and we’ll answer them in upcoming podcast episodes. We just finished our “Meet the Nurse Practitioner” series and our “Founders” series, so if you want to meet the clinicians at Peri & Pause go check us out anywhere you listen your favorite podcasts! 🎧

If you’d like, include your first name and where you’re from, and we will give you a shout-out when we answer your question.

No question is too small. If you’re wondering about it, chances are thousands of other women are too. ❤️

⬇️ Ask away!

05/30/2026

Perimenopause and menopause is far more than hot flashes.

Changes during midlife can influence sleep, mood, anxiety, cognition, sexual health, weight, cardiovascular health, bone health, and overall quality of life. Yet many women are left trying to connect the dots on their own.

At Peri & Pause, we focus exclusively on caring for women during this stage of life.

We take the time to see the whole woman - not just a symptom, lab value, or diagnosis. We consider her health history, goals, concerns, and the many ways hormonal changes may be affecting her daily life.

As nurse practitioners with strong primary care backgrounds, we are able to address common medical conditions alongside perimenopause and menopause when appropriate, helping women receive more comprehensive, coordinated care.

Hormones may be part of the conversation, but they are only one tool among many. Education, prevention, lifestyle, sleep, nutrition, movement, and evidence-based treatment all play important roles.

Because caring for women during midlife isn't just about managing symptoms.

It's about seeing and caring for the whole woman.

05/29/2026

Today, we simply wanted to say thank you.

Thank you to every woman who has trusted us with her care. Thank you to those who have shared their experiences with friends, family members, coworkers, and other women looking for answers. We are continually humbled by the support of this community and by the trust you place in us during such an important stage of life.

At Peri & Pause, we focus exclusively on the care of women navigating perimenopause and menopause. This is not one service among many that we offer - it is our sole mission. Every aspect of our practice is designed around understanding, supporting, educating, and advocating for women during this transition.

We believe women deserve time to tell their stories. We believe education is a critical part of healthcare. We believe in building relationships, not providing rushed, episodic care. We believe women deserve access to the most current evidence and thoughtful discussions about their options. We believe symptoms that affect sleep, mood, energy, cognition, sexual health, and overall quality of life deserve to be taken seriously.

Our team spends a great deal of time anticipating our patients' needs, answering questions, coordinating care, and helping women understand what is happening in their bodies. In many ways, we care for women the same way women often care for everyone around them - with thoughtfulness, attention, and a focus on the whole person.

We are deeply grateful for every patient who trusts us with their care and every woman who shares our practice with others. Women have always looked out for one another, and seeing that support within our community continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of what we do.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey.

- The Peri & Pause Team 💞