Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones

Shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, hip pain, and plantar fasciitis can all show up during perimenopause, even when there was no obvious injury. And because these symptoms are rarely connected back to hormones, many women assume they are simply getting older or doing something wrong. We dive deeper into this in Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones with Dr. Fiona Lovely. We also chat about brain fog, memory changes, sleep apnea, blood sugar, HRT, and why "I don't feel like myself anymore" can be part of the perimenopause transition. Dr. Fiona Lovely is a chiropractor, menopause educator, and host of Not Your Mother's Menopause. She has more than 20 years of clinical experience and is the creator of a menopause doula certification program. What's Discussed: (05:43) Why more women are recognizing perimenopause symptoms earlier and how younger women are starting to prepare before symptoms become disruptive. (08:46) What the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause is and why joint, tendon, and muscle problems may become more common as estrogen declines. (12:29) Why frozen shoulder can be an early sign of perimenopause, especially when shoulder pain appears without an obvious injury or trauma. (14:31) How plantar fasciitis, unexplained hip pain, and glute pain may be connected to hormonal changes rather than simply aging or overuse. (25:05) Why the conversation around HRT extends beyond hot flashes and includes brain, bone, and cardiovascular health. (27:54) Why you can still be experiencing perimenopause even if you rarely or never have hot flashes or night sweats. (40:31) What happens to the brain as estrogen changes, including shifts in blood flow, connectivity, metabolism, and areas involved in memory. (45:51) Why brain fog, forgetting names, and losing your train of thought do not automatically mean you are developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease. (48:14) Why "I don't feel like myself anymore," emotional flatness, and losing interest in things you once enjoyed can show up during the menopause transition. (53:07) How blood sugar changes and sleep apnea may affect brain health in perimenopause, and why sleep apnea in women can be easier to miss than expected. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Find more from Dr. Fiona Lovely Website: DrLovely.com LinkedIn: Dr. Fiona Lovely Instagram: drfionalovely TikTok: DrLovely YouTube: drfionalovely Facebook (Podcast): Not Your Mother's Menopause Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

You can spend years holding everything together with anxiety, urgency, perfectionism, or sheer willpower, then hit perimenopause and suddenly feel like your brain stopped cooperating. Trouble focusing, emotional overwhelm, forgetfulness, procrastination, and feeling like you have completely lost your ability to multitask can all overlap with ADHD, which is exactly why so many women start asking questions in midlife. In this episode of Hello Hormones, Dr. Jolene Brighten and I break down the connection between ADHD and perimenopause, including how shifting estrogen can affect dopamine, memory, motivation, and cognitive flexibility. We also talk about testosterone, blood sugar, sleep, exercise, thyroid and iron testing, and why symptoms that look like ADHD still deserve a full evaluation. Dr. Jolene Brighten is a women's health expert, author, and clinician who specializes in helping women better understand the connection between their hormones and their brains. If you have ever wondered why the strategies that used to keep you organized, productive, and on top of everything suddenly are not working the same way, this episode will help you understand what may be changing and what is worth looking at next. What's Discussed: (1:56) Why getting good grades does not rule out ADHD in women. (3:13) Why ADHD may suddenly feel harder to manage during perimenopause. (6:38) How masking can make ADHD look very different in women and girls. (10:50) Why perimenopause and ADHD symptoms can be so difficult to tell apart. (13:15) Why late-night scrolling and shopping may be your brain trying to reclaim dopamine and personal time. (16:14) How changing estrogen can affect focus, memory, motivation, and cognitive flexibility. (23:53) Why low testosterone can feel like losing your motivation or "spark." (29:35) How blood sugar swings can make ADHD and perimenopause symptoms feel worse. (44:00) What to rule out before assuming brain fog and forgetfulness are ADHD. (46:58) Why 20 minutes of exercise may support focus and attention for hours afterward. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Find more from Dr. Jolene Brighten: Website: drbrighten.com Instagram: @drjolenebrighten Facebook: @drbrighten TikTok: @drjolenebrighten YouTube: @DrJoleneBrighten Book: ADHD and Women Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

You can have "normal" thyroid labs and still feel exhausted, foggy, stuck with weight changes, or like something is clearly off. That is where a deeper look at thyroid function can start to change the conversation. In this episode of Hello Hormones with Dr. Saadia Mian, we break down what TSH may be missing, why free T3 can matter so much for how you feel, and how thyroid health connects with metabolism in midlife. Dr. Saadia Mian is a board-certified endocrinologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience who is also trained in functional medicine. If you have ever been told your thyroid is "fine" but you still do not feel like yourself, this episode will give you a much clearer understanding of what else may be worth looking at. What's Discussed: (7:42) Why "normal" labs do not always explain how you feel. (9:15) Why Dr. Mian often starts with gut health. (13:55) The thyroid labs she checks and when she orders an ultrasound. (17:03) The thyroid ranges she considers more optimal. (19:17) When Hashimoto's may require thyroid medication. (26:14) Why free T3 matters for thyroid function and metabolism. (29:25) Why T3 is often left out of conventional thyroid treatment. (35:23) When the thyroid can look like Hashimoto's despite negative antibodies. (38:21) Why joy and nervous system regulation matter for healing. (52:35) Practical ways to support hormones through joy, food, hydration, and sleep. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Find more from Dr. Saadia Mian: Website: saadiamianmd.com Instagram: @drsaadiamianmd Facebook: Saadia Mian MD LinkedIn: drsaadiamian Book: Hormones in Sync: An Endocrinologist's Guide to Reclaiming Your Energy, Joy, and Health Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Perimenopause can be especially confusing when your symptoms look nothing like the hot flashes and night sweats you were told to expect. Suddenly you are waking up at 4:30 a.m., forgetting words you have known forever, smelling things nobody else smells, or dealing with heart palpitations and wondering what on earth your body is doing. In this episode of Hello Hormones, I am sharing seven things going through perimenopause has taught me firsthand. We talk about the weird symptoms nobody warns you about, why brain fog can feel more like losing everyday words, and why perimenopause can look completely different from one woman to the next. Going through this transition myself has completely changed how I understand what women have been telling me for years. If perimenopause has left you wondering whether what you are experiencing is normal, I hope this episode helps you feel more informed about what may be happening in your body and more confident asking for the support you need. What's Discussed: (00:00) Why experiencing perimenopause firsthand changed how Carrie understands the women she has treated for years. (02:53) The weird perimenopause symptoms nobody warns you about, including itchy ears, phantom smells, burning tongue, and unexplained skin changes. (05:24) Why heart palpitations can show up during perimenopause and when scary symptoms still need to be checked out. (07:52) How perimenopause brain fog can feel more like losing everyday words, names, and your train of thought. (10:45) Why some women struggle so deeply during perimenopause and why finding the right hormone-literate support matters. (13:01) Why perimenopause can look completely different from one woman to the next, even without hot flashes or night sweats. (15:18) How perimenopause can change your mood, boundaries, and tolerance for things you used to put up with. (17:40) Why Carrie has doubled down on sleep, strength training, nutrition, relationships, and other health foundations during perimenopause. (19:03) Why perimenopause does not have to be something younger women fear. (19:15) How stronger boundaries, greater confidence, and better education can make perimenopause a midlife "glow up." Thanks to our Sponsors: OmneDiem: To give your body the histamine support it's been missing, head to omendiem.com explore their full range of products, and use code DRJONES for 25% off. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Perimenopause has a way of making you wonder where you are in the process and how much longer this hormonal roller coaster plans to keep going. Your period disappears for two months, comes back like nothing happened, your joints suddenly hurt, your brain feels foggy, and now you are waking up sweaty at 3 a.m. wondering if you have officially entered a new stage. Here's where things get interesting. Late-stage perimenopause actually has a research definition, and one of the biggest clues is going 60 days or more without a period. But your cycle is only part of the picture. As estrogen and progesterone start spending more time on the lower end, symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, dryness, recurrent UTIs, brain fog, and changes in body composition can become more noticeable. And while we love a good lab test, there is no single blood test that can neatly tell you, "Congratulations, you are now in late-stage perimenopause." In this solo episode of Hello Hormones, I am breaking down the seven signs I commonly see as women move further into the perimenopause transition, plus what FSH, estradiol, and progesterone can actually tell us along the way. We are talking skipped periods, the estrogen connection to frozen shoulder and joint pain, why dryness can suddenly show up everywhere, what may be behind new UTIs or vaginal changes, how late-stage brain fog can feel different, and why your body composition may shift even when your habits have not dramatically changed. If you have been wondering, "Is this still perimenopause, and what on earth is my body doing?" This episode will give you a much clearer map. Head to drcarriejones.com/stages to grab What Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Because the confusion is honestly worse than the symptoms sometimes. What's Discussed: (00:00) How to tell when you may be moving from early to late-stage perimenopause. (01:54) Why there is no single lab test that can definitively tell you whether you are in perimenopause. (03:48) The seven symptoms that tend to become more noticeable as women move into late-stage perimenopause. (05:18) Why hot flashes and night sweats can ramp up as periods become less frequent and estrogen stays lower for longer. (06:43) How declining estrogen can contribute to joint pain, frozen shoulder, hip pain, and the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause. (08:12) Why perimenopause can cause dryness throughout the body, including the eyes, skin, nose, hair, joints, and vaginal tissue. (09:51) How changing estrogen levels can contribute to recurrent UTIs, vaginal discomfort, and shifts in the vulvovaginal microbiome. (11:49) Why brain fog can become more noticeable later in perimenopause and feel like your brain is moving through "honey." (14:44) How later-stage hormone changes can affect weight, fat distribution, cravings, and body composition even when your habits have not dramatically changed. (18:09) The 60-day cycle change that research uses to classify late-stage perimenopause and what that transition can actually look like. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

One thing I hear all the time from women in perimenopause is how confusing weight loss can suddenly become. They try the diet everyone online is swearing by. The scale does not move. They tighten things up. Still nothing. And somehow the advice keeps coming back to the same thing: eat less. But how long can "eat less" be the answer before we start asking a better question? That is what made this conversation with Dr. Bill Campbell so interesting to me. He is studying women who already exercise and pay attention to nutrition to figure out whether weight loss resistance during the menopause transition is actually real, or whether something else is getting blamed on hormones. In his preliminary survey, roughly 75 to 80% of peri- and postmenopausal women reported experiencing weight loss resistance. The number is huge, but the WHY behind it is what he is trying to uncover. Dr. Bill Campbell is a professor and director of the Performance and Physique Enhancement Laboratory at the University of South Florida. He has spent his career studying fat loss, resistance training, and body composition, but his own wife's experience through menopause made him realize there were questions his research still could not answer. 22:17 Whether weight loss resistance in perimenopause is actually real, and what the 75–80% number really tells us. 26:39 What happens when cutting calories even lower still does not get the scale moving. 32:09 How much protein women may actually need to protect muscle while working on body composition. 41:07 Why years of dieting and repeated weight-loss cycles may matter more once midlife hits. 51:46 How heavy women really need to lift in their 40s and 50s, especially when strength training is new. 1:02:16 Where hormone therapy fits into the weight conversation, and why the research is not as simple as "estrogen makes you lose weight." If the scale feels a whole lot more stubborn in midlife, this episode gets into the research behind why "just eat less" may be way too simple of an answer. Free Resources: Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: Head to drcarriejones.com/hormones101 to grab your free copy. Because understanding your hormones shouldn't require a medical degree—just 7 pages and maybe a cup of coffee. Masterclass Replay: Join the Masterclass Replay: Head to drcarriejones.com/masterclass to access the free Estrogen and Progesterone Masterclass replay. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Find more from Bill Campbell: Website: billcampbellphd.com Instagram: @billcampbellphd Disclaimer Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by your physician or another qualified healthcare professional, or for information contained in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel to diagnose or treat a health condition, prescribe medication, change the dosage of medication, or stop treatment. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before taking medication, supplements, or beginning another treatment. Information provided on this channel and the use of any related products or services do not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones.

Headaches, brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, poor concentration, sinus problems, and feeling worse in certain buildings can easily be blamed on stress, hormones, or perimenopause. But mold exposure can create many of the same symptoms, which makes it difficult to know what your body is actually reacting to. In this episode of Hello Hormones, I am talking with Jason Earle about the signs that your home or workplace may have a moisture and air-quality problem, why a musty smell matters even when you cannot see mold, and the four questions to ask before spending thousands of dollars on testing or remediation. We also get into air purifiers, HEPA vacuums, mold inspections, ERMI testing, urine mycotoxin panels, and why Jason believes food may explain more mycotoxin exposure than most people realize. Jason Earle is the founder of GOT MOLD?® and has spent more than 20 years helping people understand mold, moisture, and indoor air quality. His work began after his own health improved when he left a mold-damaged home. He shares how to reduce exposure without becoming consumed by fear and why healing may require looking at your air, food, and nervous system together. Jason was kind enough to provide the Hello Hormones community a discount! Use code drjones10 at gotmold.com/drjones/ for 10% off! What's Discussed (01:21) Why mold symptoms can resemble perimenopause, anxiety, allergies, and other health problems. (07:01) What urine mycotoxin results may reveal about food versus building exposure. (12:41) Why healthy people still need healthy buildings and how poor air can undermine recovery. (14:44) Four questions to ask before paying for mold testing or an inspection. (21:28) How to choose an independent inspector and avoid unnecessary remediation. (37:35) When an air purifier can help and why HEPA alone may not address odors or VOCs. (44:41) Hidden mycotoxins in food and Jason's "air, food, and attitude" approach. Head to drcarriejones.com/hormones101 to grab your free copy. Because understanding your hormones shouldn't require a medical degree—just 7 pages and maybe a cup of coffee. Join the Masterclass Replay: Head to drcarriejones.com/masterclass to access the free Estrogen and Progesterone Masterclass replay. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Find More From Jason Earle & GOT MOLD?®: Website: gotmold.com GOT MOLD?® Instagram: @gotmold Instagram: @jason.a.earle Disclaimer Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by your physician or another qualified healthcare professional, or for information contained in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel to diagnose or treat a health condition, prescribe medication, change the dosage of medication, or stop treatment. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before taking medication, supplements, or beginning another treatment. Information provided on this channel and the use of any related products or services do not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones.

Only a small percentage of women use hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopause. Some cannot take it, some do not want it, and others simply want additional support alongside it. But when someone says she wants to manage menopause "naturally," what does that actually mean, and which options are genuinely worth considering? For this episode of Hello Hormones, I searched through thousands of women's comments, messages, and conversations to find the strategies they repeatedly said made a difference. I am breaking down nine categories, including dietary changes, herbs, nutrients, acupuncture, resistance training, cooling tools, and something women mentioned far more often than I expected: setting boundaries and protecting their time. We will talk about which options may be most useful for hot flashes, sleep, anxiety, mood, breast tenderness, and early perimenopause, along with important cautions around dosing, supplement quality, and choosing the right approach for your stage. You do not have to try everything, and you certainly do not have to suffer your way through this transition without support. What's Discussed 0:26 What "natural menopause support" can actually mean. 2:38 The dietary changes women said helped the most. 6:14 Ashwagandha, Estrovera®, black cohosh, and vitex. 12:20 Omega-3s, evening primrose oil, magnesium, and vitamin D. 16:34 Acupuncture, cooling tools, and resistance training. 19:03 Why boundaries and time alone may reduce symptoms. 21:49 Why women do not have to suffer through menopause untreated. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Have you ever heard that women in other countries do not struggle with menopause the way women in North America do? Or that menopause is somehow easier in certain cultures because women do not talk about it as much? In this episode of Hello Hormones, I'm talking with Zora Benhamou about what women around the world are actually saying when someone finally asks them. We get into why menopause is global, but the way women experience it, talk about it, and get support can look very different depending on stigma, culture, socioeconomic status, access to care, and fear of doctors. We also talk about the symptoms women are rarely warned about, including joint pain, frozen shoulder, hip pain, bone loss, osteoarthritis, and why so many women are told they are "just aging" when hormones may be part of the picture. Zora is a gerontologist, host of the Hack My Age podcast, author of The Longevity Master Plan, and creator of the Menopause Around the World series, where she has interviewed over 350 women across the globe. She has built her career teaching women how to age strong, and then her own experience with hip osteoarthritis and double hip replacement turned her into a case study in muscle, recovery, biohacking, and what it really takes to heal. What's Discussed: (00:23) Why menopause around the world matters and what Zora has learned from asking women directly. (01:22) How symptoms, stigma, culture, and socioeconomic status shape the way women experience menopause. (06:24) Why many women still misunderstand hormone therapy or feel proud of white-knuckling menopause. (15:14) Why not having a word for perimenopause does not mean women are not having symptoms. (21:25) The musculoskeletal side of menopause, including joint pain, frozen shoulder, hip pain, bone loss, and osteoarthritis. (28:08) How Zora prepared for hip replacement using muscle support, blood flow restriction, protein, and essential amino acids. (36:19) Recovery support after surgery, including sleep, stress, inflammation, peptides, red light, scar therapy, and aging stronger. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Thank You to Our Sponsor: OmneDiem: To give your body the histamine support it's been missing, head to https://omnediem.com/chfmdl, explore their full range of products, and use code DRJONES for 25% off. Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Find more from Zora Benhamou: Website: hackmyage.com Instagram: @HackMyAge TikTok: @hackmyage Podcast: hack-my-age-menopause-upgrade/ The Longevity Master Plan: thelongevitymasterplan/ Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

If you have been eating well, moving your body, doing what you were told, and your belly fat still will not budge, this episode is going to explain why. So many women hit their 40s and suddenly feel like their body changed the rules. The same foods, workouts, and routines that used to work no longer feel like enough, and the advice to eat less or work harder only leaves them more frustrated. Today, we are getting into what is really happening behind stubborn midlife weight gain, especially when inflammation, insulin resistance, cortisol, poor sleep, cravings, and stress are all sending the body a signal to hold onto fat. This conversation challenges the idea that weight loss is only about calories and looks at why the body may be protecting itself, storing visceral fat, and staying stuck in sugar-burning mode. I'm joined by Ben Azadi, functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, bestselling author, and metabolic health educator who lost 80 pounds, reversed his own metabolic dysfunction, and has helped thousands of people improve their metabolic health. We talk about how ketosis, fasting, diet variation, and Keto Flex can be used as tools to rebuild metabolic flexibility, without forcing your body into another rigid plan that works against your hormones. What's Discussed: 02:02 Why stress, cortisol, and survival signals can make the body hold onto belly fat. 07:03 The difference between helpful inflammation and chronic inflammation that blocks fat loss. 10:10 How inflammation can interfere with progesterone, hormone receptors, and symptom relief. 16:02 Why food noise, cravings, and constant snacking may be signs of sugar-burning metabolism. 23:38 The biggest keto myths, including fat quality, gallbladder concerns, and long-term ketosis. 31:09 How to start shifting from sugar-burning to fat-burning without shocking your body. 38:38 When fasting helps, when it backfires, and why timing matters for women. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Find out more from Ben Azadi: Website: benazadi.com Instagram: @thebenazadi Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Have you hit midlife and suddenly everything feels dry, itchy, or irritated in places that make no sense? Your inner ears itch. Your shins itch. Your scalp itches. Your eyes feel dry and scratchy. Your back has that one spot you cannot reach. Even your private areas may feel itchy when there is no obvious infection, rash, or clear reason why. In this episode of Hello Hormones, I'm breaking down why this may not be solved by more lotion, more water, or another steroid cream. As estradiol and progesterone shift in midlife, your skin barrier, oils, mast cells, histamine response, inflammation, and nerve sensitivity can all change, which may explain why itching can come and go, show up in random places, or feel worse at night. I also walk through options to talk about with your healthcare provider, whether you are using hormones, not ready for hormones, or looking for additional support. We get into ceramides, urea cream, omega-3s, borage oil, black currant seed oil, quercetin, vitamin C, DAO enzymes, sea buckthorn oil, castor oil, warm compresses, and what to rule out when itching could be coming from something other than hormones. What's Discussed: (00:00) Why midlife can make everything feel dry, itchy, and irritated in random places. (00:25) Why lotion and water may not be the whole answer. (01:15) How estradiol, progesterone, aging, and the skin barrier are connected. (02:34) The mast cell and histamine connection behind itching. (03:23) Why itching can show up without a rash, infection, or obvious cause. (06:03) Skin barrier support options like ceramides, urea cream, omega-3s, borage oil, and black currant seed oil. (10:08) Histamine and dry-eye support, including quercetin, vitamin C, DAO, sea buckthorn oil, castor oil, screen support, and warm compresses. If midlife has made your skin, eyes, ears, or private areas feel dry and itchy for no clear reason, this episode will help you understand what may be happening and what options you can discuss with your provider. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Most women have heard about the gut microbiome, oral microbiome, and skin microbiome. But the vaginal microbiome is still treated like an awkward side conversation, even though it can affect infections, odor, irritation, dryness, painful sex, pH, arousal, and the way women feel in their own bodies. And that's where so many women get stuck. They know something feels off, but the answer they get is usually the same: it must be yeast, BV, dryness, hygiene, age, or stress. Then the symptoms come back, the tissue feels even more sensitive, sex starts to hurt, odor feels embarrassing, or the products that were supposed to help make everything burn. In this episode of Hello Hormones, I'm joined by Wendy Strgar, founder of Good Clean Love and Vaginal Biome Science, for the vaginal health conversation women should have been getting all along. Wendy has spent over two decades studying vaginal health, product safety, intimacy, and the vaginal microbiome. Her work has led to multiple U.S. patents, research studies, FDA regulatory involvement, and a product line endorsed by over 20,000 physicians, which gives her a rare perspective on what women are experiencing, what the science is showing, and where conventional vaginal care is still falling short. Use code DRCARRIE at https://goodcleanlove.com/DRCARRIE for a 15% discount! What's Discussed (00:36) Why women are still left guessing when vaginal symptoms keep coming back. (06:36) How the vaginal microbiome connects to the gut, immune system, hormones, and whole-body health. (10:59) What "healthy" actually means when it comes to vaginal pH, bacteria, and balance. (16:05) Why some products meant to help, may leave sensitive tissue feeling worse. (22:10) The missed testing behind symptoms that keep getting called yeast, BV, or irritation. (37:04) What postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and chemical menopause can change down there. (54:50) How vaginal health can affect odor, confidence, intimacy, arousal, and painful sex. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Thank You to Our Sponsor: OmneDiem: To give your body the histamine support it's been missing, head to omnediem.com/coupon/drjones, explore their full range of products, and use code DRJONES for 25% off. Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Find more from Wendy Strgar & Good Clean Love Instagram: @wendy.strgar @goodcleanlove Website: wendystrgar.com Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Brain fog, low libido, poor sleep, and suddenly having zero patience for the things you used to tolerate are usually treated like separate problems. Or worse, women are told it is just stress, aging, or "normal." But what if a lot of those symptoms are not random? What if they are starting in your brain? In this episode of Hello Hormones, I sit down with Dr. Louann Brizendine to talk about what actually happens to the female brain during perimenopause and menopause. We kick things off with the brain and sex, go deeper into testosterone, then walk through brain fog, glucose, estrogen, hormone therapy timing, dementia risk, sleep, caffeine, alcohol, and why "no" really can be a complete sentence in this next phase of life. Dr. Louann Brizendine is a neuropsychiatrist, founder of the Women's Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF, and one of the leading voices in female brain science. She completed her neurobiology degree at UC Berkeley, graduated from Yale School of Medicine, and completed her residency at Harvard. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Female Brain, The Male Brain, The Upgrade, and the upcoming book Your Brain on Menopause. What's Discussed: (00:21) Why the brain belongs in the hormone conversation and why libido starts there. (06:42) How testosterone replacement can help some women, why dosing matters, and what to know before giving up on it. (17:40) What actually happens in the brain during perimenopause and menopause. (26:38) What women need to know about dementia risk, genetics, estrogen, sleep, caffeine, alcohol, and lifestyle. (38:21) Why menopause can bring more boundaries, authenticity, and that "no is a complete sentence" energy. If you have ever felt foggy, forgetful, disconnected from sex, restless at night, or completely unlike yourself and wondered if this is just who you are now, please listen to this episode. Your brain is not boring, and it is definitely not separate from your hormones. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.comNewsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejonesFacebook: @drcarriejonesTikTok: @drcarriejonesYouTube: @drcarriejonesPinterest: @drcarriejones Find more from Dr. Louann Brizendine Website: louannbrizendine.com/ Instagram: @louannbrizendine Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.