Perimenopause, Puberty and the Undeniable Parallels
Konika Ray Wong
Body Literacy Specialist, Author & Co-founder of Girl Power Science
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If you’re raising a daughter while navigating perimenopause yourself, this episode will help you see puberty and midlife hormone changes in a new, more compassionate light.
What if puberty and perimenopause aren’t opposite ends of womanhood, but mirrors of each other?
In this episode, Jessica is joined by Konika Ray Wong, co-founder of Girl Power Science, longtime puberty educator, body literacy specialist, and author of One in a Million – A First Book About Periods. Konika has spent more than two decades teaching girls (and their parents) how to understand body changes without fear, shame, or secrecy — and she’s on a mission to reframe puberty as a set of superpowers, not a crisis.
They talk about when to start talking to girls about their bodies (much earlier than most of us realize), how to explain periods without panic, and why the emotional, hormonal, and physical shifts of puberty look shockingly similar to what many of us are experiencing in perimenopause right now.
Along the way, they cover brain remodeling, mood swings, belly changes, sleep disruption, body image, hormones, stem cells and yes, rage vacuuming.
In this episode, we explore:
• When to start talking to girls about body awareness, puberty, and menstruation
• How to explain periods to young kids without fear or shame
• Why less detail is often better in early puberty conversations
• The brain science behind big emotions in puberty and perimenopause
• The surprising parallels between puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause
• Why weight gain, mood swings, sleep issues, and skin changes are biologically normal
• How reframing hormones can reduce shame across generations
Why This Conversation Matters
So many of us were taught that puberty was something to endure quietly — and that perimenopause is something to push through silently. Konika offers a powerful reframe: these transitions are part of a continuum, and women at every stage deserve context, compassion, and support.
This episode isn’t about perfect parenting or getting it “right.” It’s about building trust, breaking cycles of shame, and creating a healthier, more honest relationship with our bodies — for ourselves and for the next generation.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Starting Early: Body Awareness Conversations
05:10 When and How to Talk about Puberty
12:18 When and How to Talk about Menstruation
16:25 Common Mistakes Parents Make
20:11 The Parallels Between Puberty and Perimenopause
27:12 Key Takeaways
About Konika Ray Wong:
Konika co-founded Girl Power Science with her daughter to empower girls to navigate growing up with confidence. She is an author, body literacy specialist, and mom on a mission to reframe pubertal changes as superpowers. Based in San Francisco, she has been a puberty educator for more than two decades.
Her children’s books One in a Million – A First Book About Periods* and How to Tame a Tickle Monster – A First Book About Body Safety* help kids ages 4 and up build early knowledge and confidence. Konika is passionate about starting these conversations early and breaking cycles of shame by celebrating growth.
girlpowerscience.com | @girlpowerscience
*These are affiliate links. I may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from this link.
🎧 Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:
Your Body Isn’t the Problem—A Midlife Health Reframe
Why You Don’t Feel Like Yourself in Perimenopause (& How to Get Your Groove Back)
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Disclaimer:
Belong Wellness and its members, managers, employees, contractors, and other agents or representatives are not licensed medical care providers and do not provide medical services or advice, including without limitation diagnosing, examining, preventing, treating, or curing any medical conditions. The information shared in this podcast is meant to be educational, not prescriptive. Please consult your medical doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. Further, the opinions of guests on this show do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Jessica or anyone affiliated with Belong Wellness.
