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
 
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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
 
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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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: 
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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