A new docuseries produced by a North Texas researcher and Texas Woman’s University alumna is helping bring long-overdue visibility to perimenopause—an experience that affects every woman, yet historically receives limited attention in research, education and public conversation.
Texas Woman’s will host a series of free public screenings of BALANCE: A Perimenopause Journey across its campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston this spring, each followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring experts in women’s health. View the BALANCE trailer.
Monks don’t typically come to mind when talking about menopause. But in BALANCE, filmmakers Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti—millennial Jain monks based in North Texas—set out to better understand their own experiences with perimenopause, thus launching a journey that uncovers a broader story about the origins of menopause misinformation, gaps in women’s midlife care, and the need for more open, informed conversations.
Produced by researcher, advocate and TWU alumna Stephanie Collins, the four-part docuseries blends personal storytelling with expert insight, exploring symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and fatigue, while examining the historical and cultural factors that have shaped how menopause is understood and treated. The series is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, and has drawn national attention and support from high-profile health care experts and Alyssa Milano, who serves as an executive producer.
A highlight of each TWU event will be a panel discussion and audience Q&A moderated by Collins, which will offer an intriguing opportunity for a post-viewing conversation and extended dialogue about women’s health. Joining the conversation will be Dr. Sarah Berg, a nationally-noted obstetrician-gynecologist and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner who specializes in midlife women’s health and advances menopause education through speaking, writing and digital learning initiatives, including Selfority, a menopause information platform.
“Menopause is something every woman will experience, yet for centuries it’s been pushed into the shadows,” Collins said. “I’m proud to be part of the growing dialogue bringing this issue into the light and the effort to help women better understand their options. As a TWU alumna, it’s especially meaningful to bring BALANCE to my own university—an institution committed to the idea that when you educate a woman, you empower the world. That belief is at the heart of this project, which is about giving women the knowledge they need to take control of their menopause journey.”
Jaime Porter, TWU’s interim vice president for university advancement, said the screenings reflect TWU’s commitment to advancing conversations that impact health care, as well as the university’s continued investment in women’s health research.
Texas Woman’s is currently exploring a proposal to expand its Institute for Women’s Health, with a focus on advancing research related to perimenopause and midlife health. The planning effort, led by a team that included Collins and supported by a grant from the Texas Women’s Foundation, would further position TWU as a leader in addressing critical gaps in women’s health.
“We’re excited that Texas Woman’s is taking part in this growing conversation, and delighted by the opportunity to celebrate the work of one of our alumnae,” Porter said. “Almost 90 percent of our students are women and nearly half of our students pursue careers in health care, so this is an issue that directly connects to our mission. These events offer a valuable opportunity for our community to engage with the topic and participate in thoughtful panel discussions with experts in the field.”
BALANCE: A Perimenopause Journey—Texas Woman’s University Screenings
All events begin with a red carpet and reception at 5:30 pm, followed by a 6:30 pm screening. The panel discussion and Q&A will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Texas Woman’s University
- Tues., April 28
- Bridges Auditorium, Student Union at Hubbard Hall
303 Administration Dr. | Denton | 76204
TWU Dallas
- Tues., May 5
- Room 1010
5500 Southwestern Medical Ave | Dallas | 75235
TWU Houston
- Thurs., May 14
- Room 2120
6700 Fannin | Houston | 77030
Admission is free, but public seating is limited. Advance registration is encouraged at https://giving.twu.edu/e/balance-docuseries-screenings/
ABOUT TWU:
Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery, and health and well-being, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans, and social mobility. In 2024, TWU eclipsed a $125 million goal in its ongoing fundraising effort, DREAM BIG, which supports programming, equipment, scholarships, and faculty. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visit dreambig.twu.edu or twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook @TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram @txwomans, Twitter @txwomans, and LinkedIn @texaswomansuniversity.
ABOUT STEPHANIE COLLINS:
Stephanie Collins, RN, BSN, BCPA, is a women’s health executive with more than three decades of experience in life sciences spanning clinical, commercial and patient advocacy roles. She is co-founder and chief patient officer of Eido Bio, where she leads efforts to develop therapies designed specifically for women, with a focus on addressing hormonal decline and improving the patient experience.
A graduate of the Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing, Collins began her career as a nurse and is a board-certified patient advocate. She serves as an advisor to TWU’s Institute for Women’s Health and is a member of the TWU Foundation Board. She also delivered the commencement address for TWU’s Health Sciences graduates in 2025.
Collins is executive producer of BALANCE: A Perimenopause Journey, as well as a leader behind THE SHIFT, an annual Dallas-based event that brings together leading voices in women’s health and continues to position North Texas as a hub for advancing midlife women’s health.