S2E3: When Menopause Sends You to the ER with Dr. Jessica Yearwood
S2E3
In this episode of 'Reset Recharge,' host Dr. Komal Patil-Sisodia, a triple board certified endocrinologist, interviews Dr. Jessica Yearwood, a Menopause Society certified practitioner, about the deep impacts of perimenopause and menopause on women's health. The conversation covers a range of topics including cardiovascular health, urinary tract infections, osteoporosis, vasomotor symptoms, and abnormal bleeding.
Dr. Yearwood shares her insights and experiences as an emergency medical physician and provides valuable advice on managing these conditions. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and informed discussions with healthcare providers, aiming to empower women to take control of their health during the menopause transition. Dr. Yearwood also introduces her new menopause clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington, which offers consultative and direct care for women.
Listen to the full episode:
By Dr. Komal Patil-Sisodia | Reset Recharge Podcast | January 26, 2026
What Every Woman Needs to Know — with Dr. Jessica Yearwood
Have you ever had a symptom that scared you enough to think, “Do I need to go to the emergency room?”
Heart racing. Chest discomfort. Dizziness. Burning with urination at 2 a.m. Heavy bleeding that just won’t stop.
For many women in perimenopause and menopause, these moments are all too real.
In this episode of Reset Recharge, I sat down with Dr. Jessica Yearwood, an emergency medicine physician and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, to talk about why so many women end up in the ER during midlife—and how menopause is often the missing piece of the puzzle.
This conversation is empowering, validating, and full of practical takeaways every woman should hear.
Why Menopause Symptoms Can Feel Like Medical Emergencies
One of the biggest challenges of perimenopause and menopause is that hormonal symptoms often overlap with serious medical conditions.
There is no single blood test that says, “This is menopause.”
Instead, menopause symptoms are often diagnosed after dangerous conditions are ruled out.
That means it’s completely reasonable—and sometimes necessary—for women to seek emergency care when symptoms are sudden, intense, or unfamiliar.
But once serious issues are excluded, many women are left asking:
“If nothing is wrong… why do I feel so bad?”
Heart Racing, Palpitations, and Chest Symptoms
One of the most common reasons women come to the ER during perimenopause and menopause is palpitations—the feeling that your heart is racing, skipping beats, or fluttering.
These sensations may come with:
lightheadedness or dizziness
shortness of breath
chest discomfort
anxiety or panic
In the ER, doctors first focus on ruling out dangerous heart rhythm problems or heart attacks using tests like EKGs and blood work. Most women are relieved to hear that nothing life-threatening is happening—but that doesn’t mean their symptoms aren’t real.
As estrogen levels decline, women can experience changes in how the heart and nervous system respond, making palpitations more noticeable and distressing.
Important takeaway:
If your ER workup is reassuring but symptoms continue, follow-up matters. Some women benefit from longer heart monitoring, additional testing, or a menopause-informed discussion about hormone therapy.
A Surprising Supplement Warning: Biotin
Many women take biotin for hair, skin, and nails. What most people don’t know is that biotin can interfere with certain lab tests, including some heart tests used in emergency settings.
If you take biotin and go to the ER with chest symptoms, make sure to tell your care team. It’s a small detail that can matter.
UTIs, Vaginal Symptoms, and the Estrogen Connection
Another very common reason women end up in urgent care or the ER—especially late at night—is urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vaginal discomfort.
As estrogen declines:
vaginal and urinary tissues become thinner and more fragile
natural defenses against infection weaken
UTIs become more frequent and recurrent
Symptoms may include burning, urgency, frequent urination, pelvic pain, or blood in the urine. While antibiotics are often necessary, they don’t fix the underlying hormonal changes.
Dr. Yearwood emphasized an important and often missed solution:
low-dose vaginal estrogen.
This therapy can significantly reduce recurrent UTIs and improve vaginal and urinary health—yet many women are never told about it.
Key message:
If you have frequent UTIs, vaginal dryness, or painful sex, ask your doctor about vaginal estrogen. It is safe for most women and can be life-changing.
Bone Health, Fractures, and Menopause
Loss of estrogen also accelerates bone loss, increasing the risk of:
osteopenia
osteoporosis
fractures from low-impact falls
Hip and wrist fractures are common ER visits in midlife and older women and can have serious long-term consequences.
If you experience a fracture—especially before age 65—ask about:
bone density testing (DEXA scan)
osteoporosis risk evaluation
prevention strategies
Bone loss is often silent until a fracture happens, which is why early awareness matters.
Hot Flashes, Anxiety, and “Something Feels Wrong”
Hot flashes don’t always look the way we expect. They can feel like:
sudden heat and sweating
heart pounding
shortness of breath
intense anxiety or panic
For many women, the first episode is terrifying and can easily be mistaken for a heart problem.
While new symptoms should always be taken seriously, recognizing patterns is important. If testing is repeatedly normal and symptoms keep returning, menopause may be the underlying cause—and treatment can help.
Heavy or Irregular Bleeding in Perimenopause
Abnormal bleeding is another reason women seek emergency care. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can cause:
heavier periods
longer bleeding
passing clots
unpredictable cycles
In the ER, doctors focus on ruling out emergencies like pregnancy complications or severe anemia. Ongoing management usually requires follow-up care, but bleeding that is heavy, prolonged, or accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath should never be ignored.
You’re not imagining this—and you’re not alone!
One of the most powerful messages from this episode is this:
If your ER tests are normal, that does not mean your symptoms aren’t real.
It means the next step is finding a provider who understands menopause.
You deserve answers.
You deserve relief.
And you deserve care that looks at the whole picture.
About Dr. Jessica Yearwood
Dr. Jessica Yearwood is an emergency medicine physician and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner opening a menopause-focused clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington, with some telehealth availability.
You can find her on Instagram at @jessicayearwoodmd. Her practice information is linked in the show notes.
Final Thoughts
If something feels truly wrong, trust your instincts and seek care.
And if serious conditions are ruled out, don’t stop there.
Menopause is not “just something you have to live with.”
With the right information and support, you can feel better—and stay out of the ER.
Listen to the full episode of Reset Recharge wherever you get your podcasts.