HEALTH Women's Health July 29, 2026 0 Comments

Melinda French Gates’ Surprising Journey: How Three Doctors Missed Her Perimenopause Diagnosis — What Every Woman Must Know Now!

So, you think those mood swings, brain fog, or restless nights might just be… perimenopause? Believe me, you’re not alone in scratching your head over this confusing stage that sneaks up when you least expect it. Even someone like Melinda French Gates—yes, the powerhouse philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—was caught off guard by how early her perimenopause kicked in. She thought, “Are you kidding me? I just had my last kid!” Sound familiar? Her story, shared on Healthful with Norah O’Donnell, shines a light on the often muddy waters women navigate trying to get a diagnosis and proper care in this rollercoaster phase. From overlooked symptoms to a surprising education gap among OBGYNs, it’s a wake-up call for all of us to learn, advocate, and push for better women’s health research and treatments. Curious to dive deeper into Melinda’s journey and expert insights on managing this stage? LEARN MORE

You think you’ve just entered the life stage you’ve heard so much about: perimenopause. Perhaps you’ve been experiencing symptoms like mood changes or difficulty concentrating, and you’re left wondering: Could this be perimenopause? If you’ve struggled to get a clear answer from your doctor, you’re not alone. In an interview on Healthful with Norah O’Donnell, philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda French Gates, 61, opened up about her own perimenopause journey, including the challenges she faced getting diagnosed and treated. We have all the details on her experience, plus a top gynecologist’s advice on recognizing and managing perimenopause symptoms.

French Gates says perimenopause started sooner than she expected

French Gates shared that starting perimenopause took her by surprise. “My experience was I started in my early 40s in perimenopause, and I kind of couldn’t believe it because I had just finished having my last child in my late 30s,” French Gates told O’Donnell. “And I thought, are you kidding me?”

While it’s more common for perimenopause to begin in your 40s, for some women, it can start as early as their mid-30s. “Perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause, typically lasts anywhere from four to 10 years, though for some women it may be shorter or longer,” explains Anna Cabeca, DO, FACOG, triple-board certified ob-gyn, regenerative and integrative medicine physician. “During this transition, ovarian hormone production becomes more erratic. Estrogen levels fluctuate before eventually declining, progesterone production decreases as ovulation becomes less consistent.”

One way to stay on top of whether you may be entering perimenopause is to pay attention to your symptoms. Dr. Cabeca says some of the most commonly overlooked signs include:

Sleep disruption and insomnia
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
Anxiety, irritability and mood changes
Heart palpitations or a racing heartbeat
Joint pain and body aches
Hair thinning and skin changes
Low libido

Have you ever felt your perimenopause or menopause symptoms were dismissed?

Why French Gates’ perimenopause diagnosis wasn’t easy

French Gates also shared on the podcast that it was her friends who helped her identify the signs of perimenopause. Getting a diagnosis and the right treatment from medical professionals, however, was a much more complicated process.

“Thank goodness, I have older friends and we would walk every Monday. And hearing their stories kind of eight or nine years ahead of mine, I knew what to watch for,” French Gates said. “But it was kind of unbelievable to me that even in this, you know, unbelievably privileged situation I’m in, where I feel like I can get some of the best health care, it took me three doctors to really diagnose what I was going through and to get the right treatments for where I was.”

“And it wasn’t because anybody was doing the wrong thing,” continued French Gates. “It’s because of what I now know, which is [that] only a third—one third—of ob-gyns in this country are trained in menopause.”

The glaring education gap in menopause care

“Despite the fact that every woman will go through menopause, menopause education has historically received far too little attention in medical training,” adds Dr. Cabeca. “In my more than 30 years as a triple board-certified ob-gyn, I’ve seen too many women told they’re ‘just stressed,’ ‘just getting older’ or [being] prescribed medication without anyone considering that hormonal changes may be contributing to their symptoms.”

“I’d love to see menopause education become a standard part of medical school, residency programs and continuing education,” continues Dr. Cabeca. “Every healthcare professional who cares for women should understand the hormonal changes that occur during midlife, recognize the symptoms and know how to offer evidence-based treatment options. Women deserve nothing less.”

French Gates on how to advocate for your health

As French Gates’ story shows, advocating for yourself at the doctor’s office is often an important part of getting the perimenopause and menopause care you need. French Gates shared three tips that could help.

Don’t stop looking for answers

“When you go to your doctor, don’t give up. If he or she can’t answer [your questions or concerns], go to somebody else. And if they can’t answer it, go to somebody else. Keep going. You own your own health, so I would say that as number one,” said French Gates.

Lean on your community

“Number two is go to your friends, talk to your friends about your health, have them talk to you about their health,” she added.

Support women’s health research

“The third thing I would say is get involved civically,” said French Gates. “Again, moving money to women’s health research matters, but it means your congressperson or your state legislator—they need to hear from you.”

The bottom line on navigating perimenopause

If you’ve already received a perimenopause diagnosis and are looking for support, know there are plenty of strategies that can help manage your symptoms, including prioritizing a diet rich in whole foods and protein, getting enough sleep, moving your body and managing stress, says Dr. Cabeca. And if you’re experiencing symptoms that seem like perimenopause but have yet to get the diagnosis or treatment you’re looking for (such as menopausal hormone therapy), consider trying one of French Gates’ tips to advocate for your health.

“You deserve to be heard, and you deserve a treatment plan that looks at the whole picture, not just one symptom,” adds Dr. Cabeca.

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.