Dr. Christine Maren, a medical doctor and certified functional medicine practitioner specializing in women’s health, shares her expertise on gut health, hormones, and the complex interplay between digestion and the menopausal transition. In this episode, she explains the differences in gut diversity between men and women, explores how shifts in estrogen and progesterone affect the gut, and discusses why sensitivity to alcohol, caffeine, and certain foods often increases during perimenopause. Dr. Maren also delves into the benefits of strength training, detoxification, dietary fibre, and critically examines the use of birth control pills for perimenopausal symptoms, advocating for more holistic approaches.

Episode Overview:
(0:00) Intro/Teaser
(4:00) Gut Health and Perimenopause Transition
(14:00) Histamine, Detoxification, and Midlife Changes
(19:00) Estrogen Detoxification and Gut Health
(32:00) Resilience and Fibre in Midlife
(40:00) Carbohydrates, Gut Health, and Thyroid
(50:00) Resilience and Hormone Balance in Women
(53:00) The Importance of Good Carbohydrates
(57:00) Strength Training, Confidence, and Birth Control
(1:04:00) Birth Control Risks in Perimenopause
(1:15:00) BONUS: After-Party with Dr. Stephanie

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep443

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P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:

Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.

Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results.

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