Perimenopause Simplified

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
 
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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)
 _______________________________________________________________________________

CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA: 
Website 
YouTube 
Instagram 
Facebook 
Inquiries

 

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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:
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

Walking is one of the simplest—and most underrated—ways to support your health after 40. In this episode, we're talking about how daily walking can benefit cardiovascular health, metabolism, stress, sleep and your circadian rhythm, plus how to get more steps into your day without adding another "workout" to your schedule.
We'll cover:
Why 7,000 steps a day may be a more meaningful target than 10,000

How walking supports metabolic and cardiovascular health

Why outdoor walks and natural light can benefit your circadian rhythm and sleep

Simple ways to build walking into your day—even if you're busy, tired or sedentary

Ready to stop guessing about your health & hormones?

The Perimenopause Method is my 12-week personalized coaching experience for women 40+ 
who are tired of conflicting advice and want a clear plan that actually fits their body. Learn more + apply HERE.
 
Check out the FitBit I use to track steps HERE!
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10051082/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234359.htm
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12077053/
Connect with Claudia:
Website 
YouTube 
Instagram 
Facebook 
Inquiries 
 
Free resources: 
👉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

Are you tracking the right things for your health or just the things that create more stress?
In this episode, I'm sharing exactly what I track as a women's health coach over 40, what I intentionally ignore, and how focusing on the right health data can help you make better decisions about your nutrition, workouts, hormones, and overall well-being.
The health metrics I actually track each week (and why)
How to use data without becoming obsessive
Why trends matter more than one-off numbers
How tracking the right things can help you make smarter health decisions
Ready to stop guessing about your health & hormones?

The Perimenopause Method is my 12-week personalized coaching program for women 40+ ready to stop guessing, get a clear plan tailored to their needs, and start feeling like themselves again. Learn more + apply HERE.
 
Check out my FitBit Inspire HERE!
 
Connect with Claudia:
Website 
YouTube 
Instagram 
Facebook 
Inquiries 
 
Free resources: 
👉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