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.

• 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

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

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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

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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

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

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Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share with other women, so they can get the support they need in perimenopause!

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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

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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.

• 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

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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)

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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:

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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:

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Free resources:

👉Perimenopause Daily Checklist

👉HRT Crash Course: What Every Woman 40+ Needs to Know Before Starting Hormone Therapy