Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones

If perimenopause feels endless and confusing, you are not imagining it. One of the biggest misconceptions is that menopause itself lasts for years, when in reality the long, messy part happens before and after it.
In the latest Hello Hormones, we get into early versus late perimenopause, why symptoms shift as hormones change, how periods actually factor into diagnosis, and what labs like FSH can tell you when bleeding is not a reliable clue.
If you are having symptoms but your cycles still seem regular, or you are skipping periods and wondering how close you really are, this episode will help it click. Tune in for clarity and a lot fewer question marks.
Head to drcarriejones.com/stages to grab What Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Because the confusion is honestly worse than the symptoms sometimes.
What's Discussed:
(01:29) The six to ten year perimenopause window before menopause

(01:45) Menopause defined as one day after twelve months without periods

(02:27) Early perimenopause symptoms driven by declining progesterone

(03:49) Late perimenopause marked by skipped cycles and estrogen decline

(04:19) Skipping three periods predicts menopause within four years

(07:15) Using FSH levels when periods are unreliable or absent

✍️ FREE GUIDES:
Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: http://drcarriejones.com/myths

Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 

The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist

The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom 

Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause 

 
LETS CONNECT: 
Dr. Carrie Jones:
Website: http://drcarriejones.com
Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter
Instagram: @dr.carriejones
Facebook: @drcarriejones
TikTok: @drcarriejones
Youtube: @drcarriejones
Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/drcarriejones
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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.

If you hit midlife and suddenly feel ragey, burnt out, or emotionally raw for no clear reason, you are not breaking. Perimenopause has a way of removing the emotional buffer you've relied on for years, which means suppressed boundaries, old stress patterns, and survival mode all come to the surface at once.
We dive deeper into this in the latest Hello Hormones episode with Dr. Sonya Jensen, ND. We also talk about why rage can actually be a sign you're ready for change, how the anxious overachiever quietly runs herself into burnout, and how family trauma gets passed down through hormones and the nervous system.
Dr. Sonya Jensen, ND, is a naturopathic physician, women's hormone expert, and author of Heal Your Hormones, Reclaim Yourself. She is the creator of the HER Method and cofounder of Divine Elements Health Center, The Longevity Lab, and The Health Ignited Academy. Her training includes cell biology, Ayurvedic medicine, and clinical women's endocrinology. 
 
Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: Head to drcarriejones.com/hormones101 to grab your Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet free copy. Because understanding your hormones shouldn't require a medical degree — just 7 pages and maybe a cup of coffee.
Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: Head to drcarriejones.com/myths to download the Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP. Because honestly? You deserve the truth, not the outdated garbage most women are still being told.
What's Discussed:
(03:35) Chronic stress physiology, low cortisol burnout, and why fatigue persists

(07:22) How perimenopause removes the emotional buffer and resurfaces old wounds

(09:57) Why midlife rage reflects suppressed boundaries and readiness for action

(14:31) Thyroid dysfunction, voice suppression, and chronic overgiving patterns

(16:51) The anxious overachiever archetype and burnout masked by productivity

(18:02) Female hormonal rhythm versus modern life and cumulative nervous system strain

(22:21) Generational trauma, adrenal imprinting, and inherited stress responses

(37:27) Why physical support must come first before emotional healing is possible

 
✍️ FREE GUIDES:
Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: http://drcarriejones.com/myths

Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 

The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist

The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom 

Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause 

 
LETS CONNECT: 
Dr. Carrie Jones:
Website: http://drcarriejones.com
Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.carriejones
Facebook: https://facebook.com/drcarriejones
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@drcarriejones
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@drcarriejones
Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/drcarriejones
 
Dr. Sonya Jensen, ND:
Website: https://drsonyajensen.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/drsonyajensen
Facebook: https://facebook.com/drsonyajensennd
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DrsNickandSonyaJensenND
==========
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.

If you've ever stared at your supplement cabinet wondering whether any of it is actually helping, you're not alone. The frustrating part is that a few supplements really can support your hormones and energy, while others just create noise and false expectations.
In the latest Hello Hormones episode, we dive deeper into why magnesium is often the one supplement most women are probably missing, why creatine isn't just for the bros anymore, and why so many people are taking melatonin in ways that work against their sleep.
We also talk about why black cohosh is not a phytoestrogen and what it really supports instead. This episode is about cutting through the noise and understanding what your body actually needs.
Head to drcarriejones.com/stages to grab What Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Because the confusion is honestly worse than the symptoms sometimes.
What's Discussed:
(01:09) Magnesium explained and why it's often the one supplement women are missing

(02:16) Different forms of magnesium and how to choose the right one 

(03:58) Creatine beyond muscle and its role in energy and brain health

(05:47) Melatonin as more than a sleep hormone and its role as a powerful antioxidant

(10:12) Omega-3s, cellular membranes, and how low-quality fish oil can backfire

(15:23) Black cohosh myths, serotonin signaling, and why it's not a phytoestrogen

(17:08) Gut health, hormones, and how prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics fit together

✍️ FREE GUIDES:
Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 

The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist

The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom 

Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause 

 
LETS CONNECT: 
Dr. Carrie Jones:
Website: http://drcarriejones.com
Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.carriejones
Facebook: https://facebook.com/drcarriejones
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@drcarriejones
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@drcarriejones
Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/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 is when many women feel like their body suddenly stopped playing on easy mode. Fluctuating estrogen reduces the brain's stress-buffering capacity, so fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and overwhelm all hit harder at the exact same time.
We dive deeper into this topic in the latest Hello Hormones Podcast episode with Dr. Aimie Apigian. We also chat about why perimenopause is often when trauma finally shows up, why high-functioning women tend to fall apart in midlife, and the number one mistake women make when trying to heal trauma.
Dr. Aimie Apigian, MD, MS, MPH, is a double board-certified physician in functional medicine and addiction medicine with training in neuroscience and trauma therapy. She is the creator of the Biology of Trauma® framework and leads the Biology of Trauma® certificate training program for healthcare professionals.
Head to drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie to get access to The 101 on Stress, Cortisol & Your Nervous System. It's free, it's helpful, and it's exactly what you need to start the year feeling more like yourself.
What's Discussed:
(01:00) Why unresolved trauma often surfaces during perimenopause
(03:30) How hormone shifts lower stress tolerance and amplify nervous system responses
(06:22) Why high-functioning women rely on coping until it suddenly stops working
(09:15) The difference between a stress response and a trauma response in the body
(17:03) What "capacity" really means and why it feels depleted in midlife
(27:09) Why mindset work alone doesn't heal trauma stored in the body
(31:02) The biggest mistake women make when trying to heal trauma
(49:17) Why irritability and rage in perimenopause can be signs of coming out of freeze
✍️ FREE GUIDES:
Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet:  https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 

The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist

The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom 

Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause 

 
LETS CONNECT: 
Dr. Carrie Jones:
Website: http://drcarriejones.com
Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter
Instagram: @dr.carriejones
Facebook: @drcarriejones
TikTok: @drcarriejones
Youtube: @drcarriejones
Pinterest: @drcarriejones
 
Dr. Aimie Apigian, MD, MS, MPH:
Website: https://biologyoftrauma.com
Instagram: @draimie
Facebook: @draimie
Youtube: @DrAimieApigian
==========

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.

If you're over 40 and suddenly dealing with weird symptoms like itchy ears, new body odor, or constant puffiness, you're not imagining things. In this Hello Hormones episode, I explain why these things show up out of nowhere and how hormones are usually the quiet culprit.
We dive deeper into odor changes that smell musky or oniony, itchy ears that make zero sense until you understand estrogen shifts, and that puffy, water-retaining feeling that has nothing to do with fat gain. Each of these has a physiological explanation and simple fixes you can often start at home.
We also chat about hair loss and how to calm an inflamed scalp, rosacea that sneaks in during perimenopause, and sore or tender breasts that are not always an estrogen problem. The goal is clarity, relief, and giving you practical tools so these symptoms stop feeling mysterious and start feeling manageable.
What's Discussed:
(00:34) Why your armpits can suddenly smell oniony or musky after 40
(04:15) Feeling puffy everywhere and why it's often lymph and water retention, not fat gain
(07:02) Itchy ears as an early perimenopause symptom linked to estrogen shifts
(09:12) The commonly missed area when using vaginal estrogen and why it matters
(11:17) Tender breasts and the surprising connection to coffee, chocolate, and caffeine
(14:03) Castor oil for hair loss and how scalp inflammation blocks regrowth
✍️ FREE GUIDES:
Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet:  https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 

The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist

The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom 

Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause 

 
LETS CONNECT: 
Dr. Carrie Jones:
Website: www.drcarriejones.com
Newsletter: www.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.