Perimenopause Simplified

Many women start hormone therapy expecting relief from hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings - only to be frustrated when the scale starts creeping up. While providers often dismiss it, weight gain on HRT is a real experience for many. In this episode, Claudia explains why it happens, which hormones play a role, and what you can do to support your metabolism in midlife. What you'll learn in this episode: How progesterone can sometimes trigger water retention (even though it's a diuretic) Why estrogen balance matters for fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and fluid shifts The risks of too much testosterone and how it impacts weight and symptoms The natural metabolic changes over 40 that make weight management harder Key nutrition strategies: prioritizing lean protein, fiber, and smart carbs while watching hidden calories from fats The importance of gut health, daily detox, and pooping regularly for hormone balance     If you want to learn more, my course Perimenopause HRT Roadmap is on sale this month through September 25th. Save $25 with code: SAVE25.   Links Mentioned: Ep. 67: Understanding Cortisol After 40: Why You Need It, Why It Becomes Imbalanced & What To Do About It Ep. 78: Undereating After 40: The #1 Habit Wrecking Your Hormones & Metabolism Progesterone Therapy & Thyroid Function Walking 7000 Steps a Day Oura Ring Optim Ring Pedometer to Track Steps Optimizing Adult Protein Intake   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  

If you've started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but still feel exhausted, anxious, bloated, moody or worse – you're not alone. In this episode, I'm breaking down why hormone therapy alone isn't enough for many women over 40, why it really requires a whole body, holistic approach, and what your provider may be missing.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why HRT is a process - not a quick fix Common mistakes providers make with perimenopausal women How mineral imbalances and nervous system dysregulation affect HRT Why you may feel worse after starting hormones What we assess in every client before addressing hormones   If you want to learn more, my course Perimenopause HRT Roadmap is on sale this month through September 25th. CLICK HERE to save $25 with code: SAVE25.     CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA:  Website  YouTube  Instagram  Facebook  Inquiries   SHOP: Products We Love

Starting hormone replacement therapy can feel both exciting and overwhelming. What should you expect? How do you find the right provider? Which delivery method is best? And how long does it take before you actually start feeling better? In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, Claudia Petrilli walks you through what the HRT journey can look like, from finding a hormone-savvy provider to understanding different delivery methods and the importance of starting low and going slow. Claudia discusses why simply finding someone who can prescribe HRT isn't always enough, what questions to ask when interviewing a provider, and why finding the right dose and combination of hormones can take some patience and fine-tuning. She also breaks down progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, and several different delivery options, including patches, creams, pills, troches, injections, and pellets. Plus, she shares some of her own experiences with HRT, including the changes she noticed when starting testosterone and the difference estrogen made for her period-related body aches. If you're considering HRT or have already started and aren't sure what to expect, this episode will help you better understand the process and feel more prepared to advocate for yourself. In this episode, we covered: How to find an HRT provider Different deliveries of hormone replacement therapy Why hormone injections and pellets are not recommended Side effects of hormone replacement therapy Progesterone hormone replacement therapy Estrogen hormone replacement therapy Testosterone & DHEA hormone replacement therapy   Sources: Women's International Pharmacy Institute of Bioidentical Medicine (IOBIM)-trained providers The Academy for Preventive and Innovative Medicine (Worldlink Medical) Institute for Functional Medicine Carol Petersen, RPh, CNP Dr. Phyllis Bronson   _______________________________________________________________________________ To learn about hormone therapy, grab Claudia's FREE resource: 3-Day HRT Crash Course. In just 3 quick emails, you'll learn: 📌 What HRT is + how it works to improve symptoms 📌 The different types + how to choose for you 📌 Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)  _______________________________________________________________________________ CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA:  Website  YouTube  Instagram  Facebook  Inquiries   SHOP: Products We Love

Confused about when to start hormone replacement therapy? You're not alone. In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, we're cutting through the mixed messages and breaking down when to consider starting HRT, what symptoms to look out for, and how to know if it's the right move for you. If you're in your 40s and feeling dismissed, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin…this one's for you. We cover: Why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is so confusing and what's changed since the 2002 WHI study The difference between perimenopause and menopause & why that matters for HRT timing Common early symptoms that may signal hormone shifts (and which hormone to start with first) When estrogen might be added - it's earlier than you think The risks of waiting too long to start HRT Why and when I started HRT myself   Sources: Hormone Therapy & Cardiovascular Disease: The Role of Timing Hormone Therapy & Cognition Prevention of Osteoporosis NAMS Hormone Therapy Position   To learn about hormone therapy, grab Claudia's FREE resource: 3-Day HRT Crash Course. In just 3 quick emails, you'll learn: 📌 What HRT is + how it works to improve symptoms 📌 The different types + how to choose for you 📌 Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)   Connect with Claudia: Website  YouTube  Instagram  Facebook  Inquiries    Free resources:  👉Perimenopause Daily Checklist 👉HRT Crash Course: What Every Woman 40+ Needs to Know Before Starting Hormone Therapy

Blood sugar and carbohydrates can feel incredibly confusing—especially in midlife, when changes in estrogen, muscle mass, sleep, stress, and body composition can affect metabolic health. In this episode, we're breaking down what your glucose, HbA and fasting insulin actually tell you, why you don't need to fear carbohydrates, and why constantly chasing a perfectly flat glucose curve may be doing more harm than good. What "blood sugar balance" means—and why glucose spikes aren't always bad Why carbs aren't the enemy and how to build meals with all macronutrients How stress, under-eating, exercise, poor sleep, and midlife hormone changes can affect glucose regulation Why building muscle, moving regularly, eating enough, and looking at lab trends over time matter more than obsessing over one number or wearing a glucose monitor   Ready to stop guessing about your health & hormones? The Perimenopause Method is my 12-week personalized, private coaching experience for women 40+ who are tired of conflicting advice and want a clear plan tailored to their body. Apply HERE. ⏰August enrollment ends soon!   Connect with Claudia: Website  YouTube  Instagram  Facebook  Inquiries    Free resources:  👉Perimenopause Daily Checklist 👉HRT Crash Course: What Every Woman 40+ Needs to Know Before Starting Hormone Therapy