128 episodes
- 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
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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
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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
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!
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Inquiries - 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:
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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:
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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
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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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About Perimenopause Simplified
Perimenopause Simplified is the no-BS podcast for women 40+ who are doing everything right — and still feel off.
Hosted by Claudia Petrilli, Functional Health & Nutrition Coach and creator of The Perimenopause Method, this show breaks down what's really happening with your hormones, metabolism, and body during perimenopause — without the noise or oversimplified advice.
Claudia covers real perimenopause symptoms, tools like hormone therapy (HRT) and GLP-1s, building muscle and body composition in midlife, sleep and recovery, and the nutrition and lifestyle shifts that actually work for this phase of life — not the ones that worked in your 20s.
This isn't about doing more. It's about doing what works for perimenopause and midlife health.
Subscribe so you stop guessing about your hormones and start feeling like yourself again.
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