Perimenopause Simplified

Brain fog, forgetfulness, irrational thoughts, and focus issues are common in perimenopause - but rarely explained. In this episode, we explore what's really happening to the female brain during the perimenopausal transition, why symptoms often start in the late 30s and intensify in the 40s, and what women can do to protect long-term brain health. In this episode, you'll learn: How estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play key roles in brain function The real reason brain fog, memory loss, and poor focus show up in perimenopause How rumination and anxiety are connected to nervous system and progesterone  Why perimenopausal brain symptoms are not the same as Alzheimer's or dementia How nutrition, lifestyle, and hormone support can protect cognitive health after 40   RESOURCES: The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Effects of the Menopause Transition and Hormone Use on Cognitive Performance in Midlife Women Type 3 Diabetes and Its Role Implications in Alzheimer's Disease The Impact of the Digital Revolution on Human Brain and Behavior Zenbiome Cope  (must use code: claudia123)   Mentioned in this episode:  Matcha Nude (save 10% by using the code: healthcoachclaudia)    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get Personalized Support from Claudia and her team! Stop guessing - and get real answers (and results) in The Perimenopause Method. This program has helped hundreds of women finally feel like themselves again - without the overwhelm. APPLY HERE  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FREE RESOURCES:  👉6 Things Missing From Your Routine Labs That May Be Contributing to Your Anxiety, Mood Swings & Fatigue After 40 👉Mini Training: Why You're Exhausted, Moody & Gaining Weight After 40 (And What Actually Matters) 👉HRT Crash Course: What Every Woman 40+ Needs to Know Before Starting Hormone Therapy     CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA:  Website YouTube Instagram Inquiries   LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, leave a rating & review, and share with others – it really helps our show get seen by more women who need support!    SHOP: Products We Love  

Breast health deserves more attention than a yearly mammogram. In this episode, Claudia is joined by Dianne Wist, Breast Health Educator and CEO of Violet Daily, for a conversation about what women over 40 need to know about their breasts, hormones, and overall breast health.   We covered: Why breast health after 40 is about more than mammograms and routine screening How hormones, iodine, diet, lifestyle and environmental factors may influence breast health and breast cancer risk What women should know about breast self-exams, breast pain and breast changes Why knowing your personal breast cancer risk factors can help you make more informed decisions about screening Why knowing what's normal for your breasts matters—and why persistent pain, lumps or other changes shouldn't be ignored   🥳 October Enrollment for The Perimenopause Method is OPEN! Stop guessing about your fatigue, mood changes & poor sleep after 40. Get a personalized assessment, strategic testing & a plan built for you. ➡️ Apply HERE and save $300 when you apply by 10/23 ⏰   Mentioned in the Episode: Effect of supraphysiologic levels of iodine on patients with cyclic mastalgia Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breastBreast Cancer Risk Factors Episode 8: Are Your Thyroid Labs Actually "Normal"? Violet Daily Iodine Supplement    Free Resources:  👉6 Things Missing in Your Routine Labs (That May Be Contributing to Your Anxiety, Mood Swings & Fatigue After 40)   Connect with Claudia: Website  YouTube  Instagram  Facebook  Inquiries   

Have you been feeling unusually irritable, moody, or downright angry in the days leading up to your period? Perimenopause rage can feel overwhelming, especially when you don't understand why your emotions seem to be all over the place. In this episode, Claudia Petrilli explains how fluctuating estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone may influence your mood during perimenopause, and why symptoms can become more unpredictable during this stage of life. You'll learn how blood sugar, nutrition, stress, sleep, and nutrient deficiencies may contribute to mood swings, along with practical food and lifestyle changes that can help support your well-being. Claudia also discusses PMDD, when severe premenstrual symptoms may need further attention, and how hormone replacement therapy may fit into an individualized approach to managing symptoms. If you feel like a different person before your period, this episode will help you better understand what may be happening in your body and explore ways to feel more like yourself again. In this episode, we covered: Mood swings in perimenopause  Hormone fluctuations that cause moodiness The estrogen-serotonin connection Why your food & lifestyle shouldn't be overlooked PMDD in perimenopause Steps to take to improve mood struggles    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SAVE $300 on Personalized Support! Stop guessing - and get real answers (and results) in The Perimenopause Method. This program has helped hundreds of women finally feel like themselves again - without the overwhelm. APPLY HERE by OCTOBER 23 and get $300 OFF on enrollment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FREE RESOURCES:  👉6 Things Missing From Your Routine Labs That May Be Contributing to Your Anxiety, Mood Swings & Fatigue After 40 👉Mini Training: Why You're Exhausted, Moody & Gaining Weight After 40 (And What Actually Matters) 👉HRT Crash Course: What Every Woman 40+ Needs to Know Before Starting Hormone Therapy CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA:  Website  YouTube  Instagram  Facebook  Inquiries   SHOP: Products We Love   Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!    Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1327664/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4335177/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11955793/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266949/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317401/ https://thewellnessbydesignproject.com/2023/05/pmdd/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15013271/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26168104/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12519554/ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2668205  

Estrogen often gets a bad rap, but it's one of the most powerful and protective hormones in a woman's body, especially in midlife. In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, we're unpacking what estrogen does, how it changes after 40, and what you need to know about supporting it through perimenopause and beyond. Whether you're dealing with brain fog, vaginal dryness, or mood swings, this episode will help you understand whether low estrogen might be at play – and what you can do about it. We also dive into hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the different forms of estrogen available, and why progesterone is essential if you choose to supplement. Estrogen isn't the enemy; let's set the record straight.   What's covered in this episode: The benefits of estrogen for your brain, heart, bones, and mood How estrogen levels fluctuate and decline during perimenopause and menopause Signs and symptoms of low estrogen vs. estrogen excess When to consider estrogen HRT and the different types (patches, gels, Biest & more) Why progesterone is needed when taking estrogen HRT How to support healthy estrogen detoxification through liver, gut, and lifestyle strategies   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SAVE $300 on Personalized Support! Stop guessing - and get real answers (and results) in The Perimenopause Method. This program has helped hundreds of women finally feel like themselves again - without the overwhelm. APPLY HERE by OCTOBER 23 and get $300 OFF on enrollment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Links Mentioned: Ep. 31: How Endocrine Disruptors Impact Perimenopause For a deeper dive into estrogen, listen to Ep. 36: Estrogen: Why We Love It & Need It w/ Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN   Connect with Claudia: Website  YouTube  Instagram  Facebook  Inquiries    Free resources:  👉6 Things Missing From Your Routine Labs That May Be Contributing to Your Anxiety, Mood Swings & Fatigue After 40 👉Mini Training: Why You're Exhausted, Moody & Gaining Weight After 40 (And What Actually Matters) 👉HRT Crash Course: What Every Woman 40+ Needs to Know Before Starting Hormone Therapy

In this week's episode, Claudia addresses one of the BIGGEST frustrations women face–going to their OB/GYN for perimenopause help, only to realize they're not as knowledgeable about hormones as we expect. Too often, doctors miss the full picture, leaving women dismissed and without real solutions.   We're covering: Why your OB/GYN is great for pregnancy–but often clueless about perimenopause Why perimenopause isn't just about estrogen and progesterone The common treatments doctors prescribe that don't actually fix the root cause What you really need to do to start feeling better   Source: https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/survey-shows-menopause-curriculums-lacking-in-residency-programs     Seeking Personalized Support? Stop guessing - and get real answers (and results) in The Perimenopause Method. This program has helped hundreds of women finally feel like themselves again - without the overwhelm.   ➡️ Learn more HERE - OCTOBER SPOTS AVAILABLE!       ------------------------------------------   LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share with other women, so they can get the support they need in perimenopause!    CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA:  Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Inquiries