Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones

Hormone therapy advice can sound strangely absolute, with one "safe" route, one "right" dose, and a list of options you have been told to avoid entirely. But research changes, medicine changes, and after 21 years as a hormone doctor (and now living in perimenopause myself), I do not see things the same way I did when I started.

In this solo episode of Hello Hormones, I am sharing three things I have changed my mind about: oral estrogen, hormone pellets, and how much say women should have in adjusting their own hormone dose. I also talk about what shifted my thinking, why monitoring matters so much, and the one opinion I would happily change if better research came out.

If you have ever been told there is only one acceptable way to do hormone therapy, or felt like you were not allowed to trust what your body was telling you, this episode will give you a more realistic picture of your options. The best hormone plan is the one built around you, with the right monitoring in place.

What's Discussed:

(00:38) How hormone therapy research has shifted since the WHI.

(01:06) Why being in perimenopause myself has changed my perspective.

(02:08) Why oral estradiol is not the devil.

(02:29) The real risks of oral estradiol, including blood clots and stroke.

(02:58) How oral estrogen finally stopped one woman's nonstop hot flashes and night sweats.

(03:55) Why transdermal estrogen should not be the only option on the table.

(04:41) Why I used to be so skeptical of hormone pellets.

(05:57) What changed my mind about pellets.

(07:41) Why I stopped micromanaging my patients' hormone doses.

(10:13) Adjusting vaginal estrogen frequency as your periods spread out.

(11:52) Why the estrogen patch is harder to adjust than other options.

(14:33) The one opinion I would change with better research: topical progesterone.

✍️ 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

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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 bring a lot of questions about what to try, what to test, and whether hormone therapy is the only option. With herbs, supplements, labs, and HRT all in the conversation, figuring out what actually fits your body can get confusing fast.

In this episode of Hello Hormones with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg. We talk about where botanicals may fit during perimenopause, which labs and health markers can give you a clearer picture of what is going on, and why hormone therapy should be individualized rather than approached with a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Dr. Suzanne Gilberg is an OB-GYN with more than 25 years of experience combining conventional women's healthcare with botanical and integrative medicine. If you've wondered how hormones, herbs, and personalized care can work together, this episode will give you a much clearer place to start.

What's Discussed:

(16:31) Botanicals vs. hormone therapy in perimenopause.

(18:21) Chasteberry for PMS, mood, and progesterone support.

(19:27) Black cohosh, phytoestrogens, and hot flashes.

(23:12) Why supplement quality and sourcing matter.

(26:28) What herbs can and cannot do for long-term health.

(31:16) Using herbs alongside hormones for sleep and mood.

(36:35) The labs Dr. Suzanne checks in perimenopause.

(38:25) Why hormone testing does not tell the whole story.

(421:2) Why body composition matters more than scale weight.

(47:10) How she individualizes estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone therapy.

✍️ 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

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Find more from Dr. Suzanne Gilberg:

Website: suzannegilbergmd.com

Instagram: @askdrsuzanne

Facebook: Dr.Suzanne Gilberg

LinkedIn: Suzanne Gilberg, MD

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.

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

Visit http://menopausedoulacouncil.com/

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Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones:

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Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter

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Facebook: @drcarriejones

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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.

There are a lot of health numbers you could track, but more data does not automatically mean more clarity. In perimenopause especially, the useful part is figuring out which patterns actually help you understand why your sleep, hormones, energy, or blood sugar may suddenly feel different.

In this solo episode of Hello Hormones, I am sharing the health metrics I personally pay attention to and what they have taught me about my own body. I talk about sleep and early-morning waking, hormone patterns throughout the month, glucose and insulin, and a lot more about how I use tracking without letting the numbers take over my life.

I also break down how I use tools like sleep data, hormone testing, glucose monitoring, and a very low-tech workout calendar to spot patterns and make small adjustments. If you have ever wondered which health numbers are actually worth paying attention to, this episode will help you simplify the noise and focus on what gives you useful feedback.

What's Discussed:

(01:05) Sleep tracking and staying asleep during perimenopause.

(03:28) Alcohol, late meals, travel, and their impact on sleep.

(05:25) Tracking hormone patterns throughout the month.

(07:34) Why one hormone test may miss the bigger picture.

(08:17) Glucose and insulin changes across the menstrual cycle.

(09:00) Fasting glucose and insulin levels worth watching.

(11:02) Tracking water and daily movement for accountability.

(13:25) A simple way to track workouts consistently.

✍️ 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.

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 be told your labs are "normal" while still dealing with fatigue, hair loss, weight changes, brain fog, or feeling like something is clearly off. Sometimes the bigger issue is that the right markers were never tested in the first place, or that falling inside a wide reference range does not tell the whole story.

In this episode of Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones, Dr. Tiffany Lester and I break down the biomarkers women should know before and during perimenopause, including ferritin, fasting insulin, thyroid markers, ApoB, testosterone, inflammation, and more.

Dr. Tiffany Lester is a board-certified integrative medicine physician and the Women's Health Medical Director at Function, where she leads the clinical strategy for women's health. If you have ever been told everything looks "fine" on paper while you still do not feel like yourself, this episode will help you understand what else may be worth looking at and what questions to start asking.

What's Discussed:

(1:22) Why persistent fatigue deserves more investigation than "you're just getting older."

(3:30) Why ferritin can be low even when you are not technically anemic.

(5:37) Why fasting insulin is worth tracking before perimenopause.

(9:21) Why blood sugar and insulin can become harder to manage as hormones shift.

(15:59) What an expanded cholesterol panel can reveal beyond basic LDL and HDL.

(20:59) Why free and total testosterone matter for women in midlife.

(27:02) The thyroid markers Dr. Lester considers essential beyond TSH.

(28:43) When ANA testing may help uncover an autoimmune issue.

(35:44) Why magnesium and vitamin D are two nutrients worth paying attention to.

(44:19) Why it is never too late to start tracking your biomarkers and building a baseline.

Function has created a special credit for Hello Hormones listeners. Use code HELLOHORMONES25 for a $25 credit toward Function's annual membership, normally priced at $365 per year at functionhealth.com

✍️ 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. Tiffany Lester & Function Health:

Website: drtiffanylester.com/

Instagram: @drtiffanylester

LinkedIn: Dr. Tiffany Lester

Function Health Website: functionhealth.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.

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.

Progesterone can be one of those hormones you do not think much about until your period gets heavier, PMS suddenly feels louder, you are waking up at 3 a.m., and your anxiety seems to have developed a personality of its own. Then you start wondering, "Wait, could low progesterone actually explain some of this?" Especially in your late 30s and 40s, the answer may be yes.

Here's where things get interesting. You make most of your progesterone after you ovulate, which means progesterone can start dropping as ovulation becomes less consistent during perimenopause. And the clues can show up in places you may not immediately connect to hormones. Think shorter or longer cycles, heavier bleeding, spotting before your period, breast tenderness, trouble sleeping, feeling more anxious, and even histamine symptoms like itching, stuffiness, headaches, flushing, or a racing heart that seem to get worse at certain points in your cycle. Progesterone also has to be looked at in context with estrogen, because estrogen can be sitting at a perfectly expected level while progesterone is much lower than it used to be.

In this solo episode of Hello Hormones, I am breaking down five categories of symptoms that can point toward low progesterone and explaining what is actually happening behind the scenes. We are talking periods, sleep and anxiety, fertility history, the surprising progesterone-histamine connection, and what can happen when estrogen no longer has the same progesterone counterbalance. I am also clearing up the difference between the progesterone your body makes and the progestins found in birth control pills and hormonal IUDs, including why having an IUD does not necessarily mean every progesterone-related symptom is covered. If you have been wondering whether low progesterone could be part of what you are feeling, this episode will help you connect a lot more dots.

What's Discussed:

(00:00) How progesterone is made, why ovulation matters, and why you do not produce meaningful amounts until after you ovulate.

(02:08) Why progesterone is often one of the first hormones to decline in the late 30s and 40s during perimenopause.

(02:56) The period changes that can point toward low progesterone, including heavier bleeding, spotting, PMS, breast tenderness, and shorter or longer cycles.

(04:25) How progesterone supports calm and sleep through allopregnanolone and GABA, and why low levels may contribute to anxiety or waking at 3 a.m.

(05:23) Why fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, or needing progesterone support in the past may be relevant when evaluating progesterone later in life.

(07:10) The surprising connection between progesterone, mast cells, and histamine symptoms like itching, congestion, headaches, anxiety, and a racing heart.

(09:16) Why low progesterone relative to estrogen may contribute to heavier periods, breast changes, fibroids, endometriosis symptoms, and thickening of the uterine lining.

(12:03) The difference between natural progesterone and the synthetic progestins used in birth control pills and hormonal IUDs.

(12:37) Why a progestin IUD may help with heavy periods without necessarily providing the same calming, sleep, or histamine effects as progesterone.

(13:45) Why being on the birth control pill does not necessarily prevent perimenopause symptoms and what other hormone systems may still be involved.

✍️ 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 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

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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.

Testosterone still gets treated like the hormone women only need to think about when their sex drive disappears. But when women start talking about lower energy, slower workout recovery, brain fog, mood changes, or feeling like their body is responding differently than it used to, testosterone may deserve a closer look.

And once testosterone therapy enters the conversation, another question comes up quickly: What is the best way to actually take it?

That is where my conversation with Angelina gets really interesting. She works extensively with testosterone therapy and sees firsthand how differently women can respond depending on the dose, the delivery method, their symptoms, and what their labs are actually showing. We get into testosterone beyond libido, why total testosterone does not tell you the whole story, how SHBG can affect free testosterone, and why subcutaneous injections may offer another option for women who do not love creams, gels, pellets, or traditional intramuscular injections. We also talk about hair loss and other androgenic side effects, what can happen when testosterone is dosed too aggressively, and why proper monitoring matters.

Angelina is a nurse practitioner who works with Medivant, a 503B outsourcing facility that compounds testosterone cypionate, and treats patients through Enhanced Metabolics. Her work focuses heavily on testosterone therapy, individualized dosing, lab monitoring, and helping patients and practitioners better understand different hormone delivery methods.

What's Discussed:

(01:21) Why testosterone matters for women and why there is still so much controversy around prescribing it.

(04:50) How low testosterone can show up as low energy, poor workout recovery, brain fog, mood changes, lower motivation, and more than just low libido.

(08:30) Why testosterone testing in women is controversial and why symptoms and labs need to be looked at together.

(13:50) How SHBG and free testosterone can reveal more than total testosterone alone and why clinicians should avoid chasing one "perfect" number.

(16:07) Why some women struggle with testosterone creams or gels and when injectable testosterone may offer another option.

(21:17) How subcutaneous testosterone injections differ from intramuscular injections in needle size, absorption, peaks, and potential side effects.

(26:58) Why testosterone does not automatically cause hair loss and which androgenic side effects can appear when the dose is too high.

(30:08) What research exists on subcutaneous testosterone and why the conversation around women's quality of life needs more attention.

(35:21) How a subcutaneous testosterone injection is actually given and why the needle may be much smaller than women expect.

(42:15) The difference between 503A and 503B compounding pharmacies and why manufacturing and quality standards matter when choosing compounded testosterone.

Free Resources:

Join the Masterclass: One hour, completely free, just answers. Live or replay, it's waiting for you. Just go to drcarriejones.com/masterclass

Head to drcarriejones.com/stages to grab What Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Because the confusion is honestly worse than the symptoms sometimes.

✍️ 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 Angelina Norman & Medivant Healthcare:

Website: medivanthealth.com

LinkedIn: Angelina Norhttp://medivanthealth.comman, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C

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.