"Pause Please: The Empowered Perimenopause Playbook" cuts through the hype and consumer confusion surrounding hormone testing for perimenopause and menopause. Hosted by Dr. Sara Kinnon, a licensed naturopathic physician and Menopause Society certified practitioner, this episode delivers clarity on when hormone testing is genuinely useful and when it is merely a costly diagnostic shortcut. Dr. Kinnon addresses the current trend of influencers promoting expensive mail-away kits and debunks the idea that a single lab result can diagnose the nuanced, fluctuating clinical transition of perimenopause.

Listeners will gain expert insights from major guidelines (ACOG, The Menopause Society), which confirm that routine hormone testing is not required for diagnosis in most women. The episode clearly differentiates between the reliability and utility of Dutch tests, saliva tests, and serum (blood) testing, explaining which tests are best for monitoring MHT levels versus ruling out conditions like POI. Dr. Kinnon provides a vital reality check on why cortisol testing is not a diagnosis for "adrenal fatigue," emphasizing that using testing to support clinical decision-making is warranted, but never as a substitute for a thorough history.

Ultimately, this podcast validates the listener's experience, asserting that symptoms—such as trouble sleeping, mood swings, and persistent fatigue—matter more than a single lab snapshot. Tune in to "Pause Please" to learn how to make testing useful (if needed), ask the right questions, and reclaim your power over your health journey. Subscribe for more evidence-based guidance on navigating your perimenopause symptoms.

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