In this episode of The Skin Pause, Dr. Corinne Erickson is joined by Melissa Oliveira, co-founder of HotPause Health, for a deeply honest and empowering conversation about what women are actually experiencing in midlife, including why so many feel confused, dismissed, or completely alone.

Melissa shares how her own perimenopause journey, combined with her background in digital health and prevention, led her to build HotPause Health alongside her co-founder Stacey Ulacia. What started as a search for credible information turned into a trusted platform offering evidence-based education, vetted providers, and community support for women navigating one of the most biologically complex phases of life.

Together, Corinne and Melissa unpack the realities of menopause that rarely make it into exam rooms or mainstream conversations—from rage and anxiety to frozen shoulder, skin changes, incontinence, and identity shifts. They also tackle the long-lasting fallout from the Women’s Health Initiative, the fear surrounding hormone therapy, and why treating symptoms instead of sources has failed an entire generation of women.

This episode is equal parts education, validation, and call-to-action for women, providers, and partners alike.