The Hormone Shift Show™ Podcast

The Hormone Shift Show™ Podcast

By Leslie Duffy, RN

If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s, wondering what fresh hell this is, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to The Hormone Shift Show™ Podcast, a podcast about “the shift,” for women in the shift.
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Best of The Hormone Shift Show™ Podcast

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

  1. Number 1: 9: How to Talk to Your Doctor About Perimenopause Symptoms

    “Your doctor works for you, not the other way around.” – Leslie Duffy Too many women walk out of their doctor’s office feeling dismissed, rushed, or even a little ashamed for asking questions about their symptoms. In perimenopause, when you’re already dealing with brain fog, exhaustion, and the stress of not feeling like yourself, those 15 minutes in the exam room can feel impossible to navigate. Part of the problem is that most doctors were never trained in menopause care. They may be excellent at treating infections or acute conditions, but when it comes to the midlife transition, they’ve often had only a handful of hours of education. That means if you’re not prepared, your concerns can get brushed aside with “you’re just getting older” or another routine prescription that doesn’t address the root cause of the issue. Today, I’m breaking down exactly how to talk to your doctor about perimenopause. You’ll learn five practical tips for preparing before your appointment, how to frame your symptoms to make them clear and specific, and a simple script you can use to ask about hormones without feeling awkward or getting dismissed. I’ll also show you how to incorporate a symptom tracker, use language that resonates with medical providers, and co-create a plan instead of just following orders. You’ll walk away with the confidence to head into your next appointment prepared, clear, and empowered, plus the red flags that signal that it might be time to find a new provider. --- Your Takeaways Why most doctors aren’t trained in menopause care and how that affects you The prep that changes everything: bringing a short list and a symptom tracker How to describe your symptoms so doctors actually understand their impact Co-creating a treatment plan instead of blindly following prescriptions When it’s time to seek a second opinion or fire your doctor --- Episode Resources Episode 9 FREE Listener Guide https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/1744825064 Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/9. --- Connect with Leslie Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/) Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/) Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow) I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to [email protected] Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

    15min
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  2. Number 2: 8: Do I want a Divorce or is it Menopause?

    “You can bring the love back if you want it back.” - Carolyn Sharp Midlife has a way of magnifying every crack in a marriage. Small arguments feel bigger, resentments grow heavier, and the spark can feel hard to find. Add shifting hormones, a heavier stress load, and zero tolerance for “just getting by,” and what once felt manageable might now feel unbearable. It’s tempting to believe the only answer is walking away. Today, I’m joined by Carolyn Sharp, couples therapist, coach, and author of Fired Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship. With over 30 years of experience, Carolyn shares why so many couples drift into disconnection in midlife, the biggest myths about reigniting intimacy, and why tending to your relationship is just as critical as tending to your health. We talk about the warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored, the under-functioning/over-functioning trap so many couples fall into, and how radical responsibility and curiosity can help you shift even long-standing patterns. You’ll also learn a simple but powerful exercise Carolyn uses with couples to rebuild trust, how humor and small conversations can act as “reset buttons” for your relationship, and why your physical health and emotional health are inseparable when it comes to intimacy and connection. By the end of this episode, you’ll have new tools, a fresh perspective, and a reminder that it’s not too late to reignite the spark if you’re willing to do the work. --- Your Takeaways How shifting hormones and life roles in midlife strain relationships Why you need to work on connection during major life transitions The biggest myth about reigniting intimacy and the four-step process that busts it Early signs of disconnection: living like roommates, no laughter, only talking about logistics The underrated tools that rebuild trust (eye contact, true listening, and humor) --- Episode Resources Carolyn Sharp's Website https://www.secureconnectionsretreats.com/ Episode 8 FREE Listener Guide https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/1f27df3a53 Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/8. --- Connect with Leslie Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/) Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/) Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow) I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to [email protected] Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

    59min
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  3. Number 3: 7: Understanding Testosterone: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions for Women’s Health

    “Testosterone isn’t just a male hormone. It’s essential for women’s energy, libido, brain, and bones.” - Leslie DuffyIf you’ve been dragging through the day with zero motivation, feeling anxious or foggy, noticing weight gain, or dealing with random chin hairs, oily skin, or sudden acne, your testosterone could be out of balance. Most women don’t realize that testosterone matters just as much for us as it does for men. Whether it’s too high or too low, the ripple effects of testosterone imbalance show up everywhere, from your mood to your metabolism. Today, I’m giving you a crash course on testosterone in women, including what it does, why it matters in midlife, and how to know if your levels are too high or too low. We’ll cover the surprising symptoms most women don’t connect to testosterone, the biggest lifestyle and medication triggers, and how stress and blood sugar swings can wreak havoc on your testosterone levels. You’ll also learn three natural ways to boost testosterone if it’s low, and three strategies to calm it down if it’s high. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what red flags to look for, what steps you can take right now to support your hormones, and how to bring this “hidden” hormone back into balance so you can feel like yourself again. --- Your Takeaways Why testosterone matters for women’s energy, mood, libido, and brain health Signs of low testosterone: fatigue, low motivation, brain fog, weight gain, and low sex drive Signs of high testosterone: belly fat, acne, facial hair, irritability, and insulin resistance Everyday triggers that disrupt testosterone: stress, under-eating, medications, toxins, and blood sugar swings Natural ways to balance testosterone: lift weights, eat enough protein, and prioritize deep sleep --- Free Resources Testosterone Quick Guide: Get Your Free Guide at https://idyllic-wind-45449.myflodesk.com/episode7 Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/7. --- Connect with Leslie Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/) Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/) Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow) I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to [email protected] Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

    21min
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  4. Number 4: 6: What Women Over 40 Need to Know About Progesterone

    “Low progesterone doesn’t just mess with your cycle, it disrupts your sleep, your mood, your energy, and even your immune system.” - Leslie DuffyIf you’ve been dealing with heavy periods, clotting, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, or even autoimmune flare-ups, it might not just be “getting older.” In perimenopause, progesterone is the first hormone to take a sharp dive, dropping by nearly 75% between the ages of 35 and 50. And when it does, the ripple effects show up everywhere in your body, from your brain to your bones. Today, I’m breaking down exactly what happens when progesterone declines, why it matters far beyond fertility, and how to tell if your symptoms are connected. You’ll learn the difference between estrogen dominance and low progesterone, the role ovulation plays in producing this calming hormone, and why stress, under-eating, sedentary living, or certain medications may be stealing your progesterone long before age does. I’ll also walk you through how functional medicine approaches low progesterone by supporting ovulation, reducing stress, addressing thyroid and adrenal health, and using nutrition and lifestyle tools to restore balance. By the end, you’ll understand why progesterone is your body’s built-in calming system, how to protect it, and what steps you can take right now to feel more like yourself again. --- Your Takeaways The dramatic decline of progesterone in perimenopause Low progesterone shows up as anxiety, insomnia, heavy bleeding, and autoimmune flares Causes of low progesterone include stress, under-eating, infections, poor blood flow, and certain medications The difference between the conventional medicine and the functional medicine approach Stress is the ultimate disruptor, and why your body will always choose survival over balance --- Free Resources Progesterone & Perimenopause Quick Guide: Get Your Free Guide at https://idyllic-wind-45449.myflodesk.com/episode6 Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/6. --- Articles GABA System Modifications During Periods of Hormonal Flux Across the Female Lifespan https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.802530/full Use of hormone replacement therapy and risk of venous thromboembolism: nested case-control studies using the QResearch and CPRD databases https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.802530/full Does taking progesterone pose an increased risk for breast cancer? https://cemcor.ubc.ca/ask/what-about-progesterone-and-risk-breast-cancer/ Risk of Breast Cancer by Type of Menopausal Hormone Therapy: a Case-Control Study among Post-Menopausal Women in France https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3815310/ --- Connect with Leslie Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/) Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/) Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow) I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to [email protected] Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

    21min
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  5. Number 5: 5: 10 Things Women Over 40 Need to Know About Estrogen

    “Estrogen decline in perimenopause is not steady. It’s a rollercoaster.” – Leslie DuffyDo you feel like your body changed overnight? Maybe your weight won’t budge, your joints ache, your period is all over the place, or your moods swing like a rollercoaster? Chances are, estrogen is connected to your symptoms. Most of us were never taught about what estrogen does in our bodies, and by the time we walk into our doctor’s office, it’s already causing chaos. Then, their jargon can leave you feeling lost, dismissed, or even foolish for not knowing what’s going on with your own body. Today, I’m breaking down 10 things every woman over 40 needs to know about estrogen and, more importantly, what to do about it. You’ll learn what estrogen dominance is, how estrogen and progesterone work like a seesaw, why high stress makes estrogen dominance worse, and how estrogen works as your “juicy hormone” to keep your skin plump, your joints flexible, and your vaginal tissue healthy. We’re also digging into how estrogen affects your bones, metabolism, histamine response, and more, plus the steps you can take right now to start to optimize your hormone health. By the end of this episode, you’ll be aware of red flags that may signal estrogen imbalance, which action steps to prioritize, and why estrogen matters for more than your cycle. It’s time to stop guessing, start tracking, and feel empowered in this season of life. --- Your Takeaways The three types of estrogen and how they shift through our life stages Why estrogen is the “juicy hormone” for skin, joints, and vaginal health How estrogen supports collagen, bone strength, and flexibility The rollercoaster nature of estrogen in perimenopause Why estrogen detox is crucial Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/5. --- Free Resources Fireproof Your Hormones: A real-life approach to calming inflammation and supporting hormone health. Get Your Free Guide at https://stan.store/leslieduffycoaching/p/fireproof-your-hormones Tracker + Symptom Checklist: Too many symptoms, not enough answers? Grab this free tracker + symptom checklist to start connecting the dots at https://idyllic-wind-45449.myflodesk.com/lj57cu63zk --- Articles Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2685269 Estrogen Inhibits Bone Resorption by Directly Inducing Apoptosis of the Bone-resorbing Osteoclasts https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2685269 Phytoestrogens protect joints in collagen induced arthritis by increasing IgG glycosylation and reducing osteoclast activation https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567576919328826 --- Connect with Leslie Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/) Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/) Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow) I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to [email protected] Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

    27min
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The podcast currently has 19 episodes available.