Menopause Made Me Smell Like Waffles (and Other Fun Surprises)!

By: Melissa Van Riper, Consumer Product Manager at Clearlight®

 

As a 45-year-old woman working in the wellness industry, entering the perimenopause and menopause phases has allowed me to face some foreseen challenges as well as some delightful (ahem, absurd) surprise challenges. Throughout my ongoing journey, I have seen four different OB/GYNs and two endocrinologists. I’ve lost count of the amount of books I’ve read, podcasts I’ve listened to, and hours spent on social media hunting for answers, experiences, and unique options to make this hell a bit more palatable.

Every “expert” you ask has a different treatment plan, so getting a second opinion is nearly impossible, anyways. When presenting me with Hormone Replacement Therapy options, one doctor told me, “It depends how concerned you are about cancer.” Yeah, that’s a pretty high concern, my friend.

 

My (Surprising) Menopause Symptoms

 

I have experienced all of the typical menopause symptoms: weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats, hair loss, extreme fatigue, dehydration, sleep issues, joint and bone pain, and anxiety. But I’m also lucky enough to have some not-so-typical symptoms like ear numbness, teeth shifting and a change in body odor in which I now smell strangely like waffles. Last winter I didn’t need to wear a coat because I was so hot, and I can’t tell you how many public hot flashes I’ve had where I wish I had more layers to shed without risking public indecency. 

Oh, and I forgot brain fog. Of course. 

So, what do I (and millions of women like me at this stage in their life) do to deal with all of this? 

Simple. Use humor as a coping mechanism, and about 104 other things. But let’s start with my top menopause relief picks, from one wellness expert willing to try anything, to you.

 

 

My Favorite Menopause Coping Tools

 

• GLP1 for Weight Loss: I’m down 75 lbs. It’s the blood sugar regulation and inflammation reduction that have made all the difference for me. (I made zero changes in my diet, so I know this wasn’t food related)
• Vitamin IVs for Dehydration: I’d get one every day if I could.
• Physical Therapy: For all of the joint and bone pain. I swear I wake up with new pain every day. I like to keep my physical therapist on his toes.
• EMDR Therapy: For all of the trauma that has magically surfaced.
• Clearlight Sanctuary Sauna: For detoxification and me time. This infrared sauna helps with everything and it’s so pretty and gives me the time to unwind and relax.
• Pulsetto: For nervous system regulation and anxiety, which I am using twice a day.
• Lifepro Vibration Plate: To help improve balance, strengthen bones, improve circulation and prevent osteoporosis.
• Clearlight PEMF Mat: For relaxation and pain, because it feels like such a luxury to lay on 25 lbs of heated amethyst in the mat.
• Clearlight Red Light Therapy: For muscle recovery and skin rejuvenation. I use red light therapy every day without fail.
• BrainTap for Sleep: (and about 1,000 pillows)
• Meds: For hot flashes and night sweats.
• Cryotherapy: Zaps my migraines away and drastically reduces inflammation.
• Acupuncture: For everything else.
• Connecting with Girlfriends: To commiserate and swap tips. Does anyone else crave female connection?

 

And the real MVP, my newest addition and the only man that I choose to spend time with – my emotional support rescue pug, Freddie Mercury! He has already improved the quality of my life and increased my daily step count.

 

 

Normalizing the Conversation About Menopause

 

Everyone I know who is in this stage of life, all say the same thing: “I didn’t know how bad it would be. Why does no one talk about it?” I felt the same way when I was a new mom and navigating all of those challenges that no one talks about like breastfeeding, PPD and hormone imbalances. But honestly, when I was younger would I have really listened about menopause? Probably not, it seemed like such a long time away.

In reality, the women before us just silently suffered through it. But since I’m living in the uncomfortable truth right now, I’m determined to at least share my findings, not gatekeep the solutions that work for me, and contribute to the collective conversation. I also recognize how incredibly fortunate and lucky I am to be in the wellness industry and exposed to so many amazing experts, products and research.

 

The Future of Female Health Conversations

 

How much better would we feel if we made menopause part of the overall female health conversation from day one? My daughter is a young teen, and as her hormones are ramping up (and mine are drastically crashing down), we are poetically on opposite sides of the same journey, which has added a new layer to our dynamic. In less modern times, we would have all been aware and present for the whole lifecycle of the female journey, but the reality of 2025 America is that we’re divided, inundated with information both wrong and right, and just desperate to figure out:

 

1. What is happening to me?
2. How can I feel better (or when does this end)? 

 

Female health should encompass all phases of our life, including the reproductive cycle. The more this becomes common knowledge, the less alone, surprised, and isolated women and girls will feel. We should no longer suffer in silence and whisper apologizes for our bodies doing exactly what they were designed to do. 

Supporting and learning from other women is a gift that we can pass down to the next generations, or at the very least, just share our suggestions on the internet for friendly strangers to come across and feel just a little bit better. And let’s not forget that our bodies do this all to create life! If that isn’t a freaking miracle then I don’t know what is. So if smelling like waffles is the cancellation prize, then I say just call me “Sweet Melissa!”

PS – I very much intend to write a follow up article in a few years entitled “104 things that I love about being in Menopause, a message from the other side”.

 

 

About Melissa Van Riper, Consumer Product Manager, Clearlight®

 

Bringing 15+ years of passion and experience steering product teams and large capital projects to strengthen company posture in competitive markets, Melissa joined Clearlight, the industry leader in infrared sauna and pioneer in innovative health and wellness solutions, in 2023.

As the Consumer Product Manager, Melissa researches, develops, improves and tests the company’s comprehensive line of entry-level wellness solutions to empower people to experience the power of aroma, salt, PEMF, infrared, and red light therapy. In her role, she collaborates with designers, engineers, sales, marketing and executive teams to take the product from concept to market.

Chronically ill for most of her life, Melissa is also an aspiring biohacker and has a deep-rooted passion for alternative wellness paths and innovative solutions that help people make their health a priority. Her work within Clearlight is a manifested dream come true.

Prior to joining Clearlight, Melissa worked with a start-up and several small businesses where she developed a number of new product lines, incorporating her passion and talent in fashion, design, dinnerware, eyewear, baby toys, clothing and accessories.

As an active community member, Melissa also volunteers with Toni’s Kitchen. Since January 2023, she’s managed their paid and volunteer drivers and maintained the non-profit’s relationship partnerships with local supermarkets like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods who support Toni’s Kitchen through in-kind donations.

Melissa, who was born, raised and is currently based in New Jersey, enjoys crafting, BBQ, art installations, and pottery. She and her daughter are always working on a variety of art projects. Her travel goal is to visit all 50 states, stopping at all of the best BBQ joints and national parks in each.