“Perimenopause isn’t just about hot flashes and night sweats. It’s about the brain.” - Dr. Jessica Drummond

Brain fog, anxiety, and mood swings are among the most common and frustrating symptoms for women in perimenopause and menopause. At the same time, they’re also the most misunderstood. For too many of us, these symptoms are brushed off as stress or just part of getting older when in reality, they reveal the deep connection between hormonal changes, neuroinflammation, and the brain’s resilience during midlife.

For practitioners, we have to embrace this critical shift in perspective. When your clients describe cognitive fog, forgetfulness, irritability, or rage that feels new to them, it’s about their hormones, nervous systems, and lived experience. The midlife brain is sensitive to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, as well as to chronic stress, past head injuries, viral inflammation, and gut health imbalances. Recognizing how these systems interact is key to building care plans that work in the real world.

Today, I’m walking you through a case study of a 46-year-old client navigating brain fog, migraines, anxiety, and mood changes layered on top of long COVID, a concussion history, and chronic stress. Using the IWHI MAPS Framework and our Seven-Step System, I’ll show you how we connect the dots between hormones, inflammation, and nervous system regulation — and how you can best support cognitive healing in women who feel like they’ve lost their edge. You’ll also learn why low progesterone can amplify anxiety and insomnia, how estrogen fluctuations affect cerebral blood flow and migraines, and how to use structured, trauma-informed systems to guide women like this from overwhelm to clarity.

Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/helping-clients-with-brain-fog-anxiety-and-mood-changes-in-perimenopause-menopause/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

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“Most programs train you for the simple cases. Confidence in Complexity trains you for the real ones.” - Dr. Jessica Drummond

When women reach midlife, they rarely show up with one neat, easy-to-solve issue. More often, they’re managing layers like autoimmunity, trauma, long COVID, endometriosis, migraines, chronic pain, all of which are now intersecting with shifting hormones. These are the clients who need us most, but they’re also the ones most practitioners feel least prepared to help. The truth is, most programs focus on textbook cases of hot flashes and HRT but the real world is a lot messier.

That’s why I created the Confidence in ComplexityTM framework. Instead of memorizing protocols, it helps you to think in systems so you can see patterns, prioritize where to start, and actually feel calm when a client’s case feels overwhelming. Once you learn to organize complexity, you can confidently support even your most challenging clients while protecting your own energy and time.

Today, I’m walking you through our MAPS System which is a practical tool that helps you assess across systems, identify root causes, and move step-by-step through nervous system, mitochondrial, immune, and hormone health. I’m also teaching you our 7-Step Women’s Health System, which brings together functional assessment, client goals, and trauma-informed implementation in a way that’s structured but flexible. This episode will show you exactly how to organize complex cases, support your clients with confidence, and feel grounded in your expertise.

Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/confidence-in-complexity-how-practitioners-can-master-perimenopause-menopause-care/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).

“Women’s health is never textbook. Complexity is the rule, not the exception.” - Dr. Jessica Drummond

Right now, most health professionals are still being trained to treat simple, textbook cases of perimenopause and menopause, leaving millions of women without the comprehensive, evidence-based care they deserve. At the same time, there’s a growing wave of public awareness, policy changes, and cultural conversation that’s putting menopause squarely in the spotlight. Women in perimenopause and menopause are tired of being dismissed, and they are actively seeking something different.​

For women’s health practitioners, this growing need is a significant opportunity. In the United States alone, 1.3 million women enter menopause each year, and most of them want more support than they can get from social media and generic hormone protocols. Women in midlife are looking for practitioners who can combine nutrition, lifestyle changes, nervous system support, and coaching that fits their unique needs.​

In this episode, I’m kicking off our Confidence in Complexity series by exploring why perimenopause and menopause care are the next frontier in women’s health, and why this is the perfect time to specialize. We’ll look at the numbers driving this global shift, the new policies and employer benefits emerging, why this field is growing faster than almost any other area in women’s health, and how a lack of training in traditional programs has left a massive gap that you are uniquely equipped to fill.

Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/why-perimenopause-menopause-care-is-the-future-of-womens-health/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).

“We all deserve good 85-year-old brain health, and that starts today.” - Dr. Mariza Snyder

Between long workdays, parenting, and never-ending to-do lists, most midlife women feel like there’s no time left for their own health. Sleep gets pushed aside, movement is de-prioritized, and self-care is shuffled off the calendar in favor of more “pressing” tasks. But the habits we build now aren’t just about getting through today. They’re about protecting our brain, bones, and energy for decades to come.

The science of hormones is only half the story; the rest is about building practical systems that fit into the chaos of our clients’ lives. From rethinking bedtime routines to shifting small daily habits, this is how we help our clients stop burning out and start thriving through perimenopause and beyond.

Today, I’m joined by my friend and colleague Dr. Mariza Snyder, author, speaker, podcast host, and advocate for midlife women. Dr. Mariza has helped women around the world move from survival mode to intentional living, and for us as health and wellness practitioners, her approach is a masterclass in helping women implement real change.

In this episode, Dr. Mariza and I discuss the importance of quality sleep, habit stacking, how to incorporate small, consistent movements into daily routines, why it’s essential to manage digital distractions carefully, how we can support brain health in midlife, strategies for prioritizing self-care in our busy lives, actionable tools for symptom management and long-term well-being, and more.

Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/how-to-heal-your-perimenopause-brain-with-dr-mariza-snyder/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).

“Most programs teach you the textbook cases. We teach you the real ones.” – Dr. Jessica Drummond

There’s no such thing as a routine menopause client. Every woman brings her own history, from autoimmune disease to migraines, chronic pain, medical gaslighting, and more. That makes midlife care complex. And yet most training programs only cover basic scenarios, which don’t help us in the real world, where things are complex and interconnected.

This is exactly where the opportunity lies. By becoming a practitioner who can confidently navigate complexity, you set yourself apart in one of the fastest-growing areas of women’s health. With 6,000 women entering menopause every single day in the U.S. alone, demand is exploding. Midlife women want and deserve providers who can integrate nervous system regulation, functional nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and evidence-based coaching into personalized care plans.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the three pillars every practitioner needs to thrive in the realm of perimenopause and menopause: in-depth education grounded in the Confidence in Complexity framework, practical business training and career optimization, and weekly expert coaching to keep you supported and accountable. You’ll learn why these skills are essential for both client outcomes and practitioner sustainability, and how to create a practice model that offers flexibility, financial stability, and deep professional fulfillment.

Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/how-practitioners-become-experts-in-perimenopause-and-menopause-care/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).

“By addressing my nervous system, which also helped me heal my long COVID, I really healed my sleep.” - Chantal Traub

Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation of brain health, nervous system regulation, and the resilience we need to thrive in midlife.

So many practitioners arrive in perimenopause already burned out and sleep-deprived from years of on-call shifts, raising kids, caregiving, or simply pushing through exhaustion. By the time we reach midlife, even the most dedicated providers might feel like they’re running on fumes. Restoring your sleep isn’t just about getting more rest. It can completely transform your health and the way you show up for your family, clients, and yourself.

Today, I’m joined by Chantal Traub, doula turned perimenopause and menopause coach, and a graduate of our Integrative Women’s Health Institute programs. Chantal shares her journey from decades of burnout and insomnia to finally sleeping 7–10 hours a night and building a career that supports both her health and her family.

For health and wellness professionals, Chantal’s story is a powerful reminder that we don’t have to sacrifice our well-being to support our clients and patients. Setting boundaries, prioritizing nervous system regulation, and redesigning your career for flexibility are essential skills for building a sustainable practice that’s flexible, fulfilling, and deeply impactful.

In this episode, Chantal and I discuss her path from birth work to menopause coaching, the role of nervous system regulation in overcoming long COVID and chronic insomnia, how she helps clients navigate frozen shoulder, brain fog, and weight gain in midlife, and why curiosity, empathy, and accountability are the most underrated tools in coaching, and more.

Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/how-to-transform-your-womens-health-practice-to-have-the-flexibility-you-desire-and-get-great-sleep-with-chantal-traub/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).

Musculoskeletal pain in midlife is often misdiagnosed. A woman presents with widespread joint pain, poor sleep, and fatigue, and she’s given a stack of prescriptions that never get to the root cause. But in perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen and progesterone fundamentally change how muscles, tendons, and bones repair and recover, and without that context, practitioners can unintentionally overlook one of the most important drivers of their clients’ pain.

For us as women’s health practitioners, this is a call to rethink the way we approach musculoskeletal pain in women over 40. Recognizing the hormonal-musculoskeletal connection allows us to shift from chasing symptoms to addressing root causes with confidence.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a case study of a 51-year-old client navigating widespread musculoskeletal pain, poor sleep, osteopenia, and perimenopause. Using our updated MAPS framework and seven-step system from the Perimenopause and Menopause Certificate Program, I break down how to integrate hormone health, nervous system regulation, nutrition, mitochondrial support, and strength training into a comprehensive care plan.

I’m sharing why estrogen and progesterone matter for joint and bone health, how to avoid the downward spiral of polypharmacy, practical strategies to help clients recover at a sustainable pace, and how to use integrative tools to help your clients thrive.

Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/new-approach-to-musculoskeletal-pain-in-menopause-with-dr-jessica-drummond/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).

“Perimenopause can amplify and unmask complex chronic illnesses that were hiding in the background.” – Dr. Jessica Drummond

When we skip the chronic illness conversation with our midlife clients and patients and go straight to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), we miss helping women feel fully well and stay well into their later years. While HRT can be an important tool, it’s not the whole story.

For the majority of women, the perimenopause transition overlaps with complex chronic illnesses like endometriosis, autoimmune disease, or long COVID, that can flare or appear for the first time in midlife. If we only address hormones, we miss the root causes of symptoms. These women need more than quick fixes and generic protocols. They need skilled providers who can integrate functional nutrition, nervous system regulation, personalized coaching, and chronic illness management into a holistic care plan.

In this episode, we’re doing things a little differently. I’m being interviewed by my friend, Marnie Glavin of Pelvic Health Support, to discuss why midlife is such an important time for us as women's health and wellness practitioners, the intersection between perimenopause and chronic illness, how we can help clients to develop their longevity plan, the tools and skills required to support this underserved population, and how we can empower women going through the transition.

Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/navigating-perimenopause-and-complex-chronic-illness-with-dr-jessica-drummond-interviewed-by-marnie-glavin/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).

So many of our clients come to us carrying complex histories, whether it’s years of period pain, medical gaslighting, trauma, chronic infections, or a sense of not being heard. By the time they reach midlife, we have to adopt a different approach. True healing requires slowing down, holding space, and co-creating solutions that meet each woman where she is.

For practitioners, this is a powerful reminder that we can’t lean solely on labs, supplements, or even functional medicine protocols. We must develop the skills of listening deeply, integrating nervous system regulation, and empowering our clients to take ownership of their healing journey.

Today, I’m joined by Carly Nadine McConkey, certified holistic nutritionist, clinical herbalist, and graduate of our Perimenopause and Menopause Certificate Program. Carly shares her journey from being placed on birth control before her first period to becoming a trauma-informed practitioner who blends functional nutrition, herbal medicine, and coaching.

In this episode, Carly and I discuss her growth mindset, how she overcame imposter syndrome, the value of group coaching support, why integrative practitioners must be comfortable with both evidence and the unknowns, why we must develop our coaching skills for our clients in perimenopause, our role in educating clients on their treatment options, and more.

Enjoy the episode, and let’s innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/the-importance-of-developing-your-coaching-skills-in-functional-nutrition-and-perimenopause-with-carley-nadine/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

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“My limiting belief told me I was limited in the outpatient world. But the truth is, I was already several steps ahead of most people, and that’s enough.” - Dr. Amanda Thompson

Burnout is everywhere in healthcare right now. Productivity standards are climbing, providers are stretched to their limits, and rural areas in particular are left patching together care with minimal resources. For many practitioners, the dream of doing integrative, patient-centered work is in their grasp, but imposter syndrome keeps them small. This is your call to action because your help is desperately needed.

Physical therapists, OTs, dietitians, nurses, and other allied health professionals are uniquely positioned to transform care in rural and underserved areas. By stepping outside the narrow definitions of rehab and embracing coaching, nutrition, nervous system regulation, and lifestyle medicine, we can become the cornerstones of our clients’ health teams. When we lead with active listening and root-cause thinking, we’re not just treating symptoms, we’re empowering whole people.

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Amanda Thompson, a physical therapist and women’s health coach who went from rural hospital burnout to founding Rooted Physical Therapy, her thriving ortho-pelvic PT clinic in North Texas. Along her journey, Amanda has overcome her limiting beliefs to build a functional and integrative practice in a rural setting.

In this conversation, Amanda and I discuss how her own experiences with fertility struggles, perimenopause, and parenting shaped her clinical approach, how rural practitioners can leverage their “jack of all trades” skills to create lasting impact, the role of active listening in patient care, why pelvic health can’t be siloed from nutrition or mental health, how to reframe imposter syndrome into confidence, and more.

If you feel held back by burnout or the fear that you don’t know enough, Amanda’s story is an inspiring blueprint of how to break through. Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!

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Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/overcoming-impostor-syndrome-to-founding-a-highly-successful-rural-womens-practice-with-dr-amanda-thompson-pt-whc/.

Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).

Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).