In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Mariza Snyder, bestselling author and women’s health advocate, about one of the most misunderstood life transitions: perimenopause. Her new book, The Perimenopause Revolution, is a love letter to women navigating perimenopause. Together, they explore why this stage often feels like a second puberty, how declining hormones affect the entire body, and the steps women can take to feel like themselves again.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Perimenopause is a neuroendocrine shift – a “second puberty.” Dr. Mariza explains how declining communication between the ovaries and brain leads to erratic hormones, destabilizing moods, and physical changes. Just like puberty and postpartum, this season reshapes our physiology and even rewires our brains.

Symptoms often begin earlier than expected. While the average age of menopause is around 52, many women feel perimenopause as early as their mid-to-late thirties, especially those with Hashimoto’s, PCOS, endometriosis, or high stress loads. Recognizing the signs early can help shorten the learning curve.

Progesterone declines first, and it impacts the brain. Early perimenopause is marked by low progesterone, leading to poor stress tolerance, sleep issues, mood swings, and PMS-like symptoms. Estrogen follows later with its own ripple effects, from hot flashes to joint pain and cognitive changes.

Why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be a game-changer. Despite fear-mongering, FDA-approved bioidentical hormones can be safe, affordable, and life-changing. Dr. Mariza shares her mother’s story, her own journey, and tips for advocating with doctors to get the support you need.

Lifestyle shifts are non-negotiable. From blood sugar balance and strength training to sleep hygiene and daily movement “snacks,” Dr. Mariza outlines the foundations that help women reclaim their energy and protect long-term health during this transition.

You’re not broken – you’re transforming. Perimenopause can feel like losing your old self. But with the right tools and support, it’s also an opportunity to rewrite your story and thrive in midlife and beyond.

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For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/

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