Are You There, Midlife? It’s Me, Monica. | Balance Hormones Naturally in Perimenopause, Menopause for Women Over 40

8 | Do Hormone Balancing Supplements Work? (Part 1)

Hey friend,

Do you take supplements? If so, do you know what’s in your supplements? And how do you know if your supplements are actually helping rather than hurting your health?

In today’s episode, I pull back the curtain on the 37-billion supplement industry and share the good, the bad and the dangerous side of diet supplementation.

In this episode you will learn:

• Do we really need supplements to balance our hormones and maintain proper nutrition?
• Are supplements regulated by the FDA and does that matter?
• Why aren’t all vitamins tested and what happens with a supplement recall?
• Why are women in midlife BIG money (and huge targets) for supplement manufacturers?
• Three factors to consider when shopping for supplements

If you're questioning whether supplements are a waste of money or whether your supplements may even worsening your existing hormone imbalance symptoms, you won’t want to miss this episode.

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Next Steps:

Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessment 

Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements & Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741): https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance

Book a FREE Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/HCprecall

Record a Question to be Answered on the Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

Become an AYTML Podcast Insider: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

BEmail Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

7 | What Husbands Should Know About Perimenopause (And Menopause)

Hey friend,

Today’s episode kicks off a special “Love & Hormones” His-and-Her’s Day Spring Series, with new episodes every other Thursday throughout April, May and June.

Join me and my partner of 26 years, Rick, as we spill the tea on how perimenopause and menopause have affected our marriage, including my personal story of hormonal imbalance, the challenges I faced, and the toll it took on our relationship. From miscommunication to emotional turbulence, we tackle it ALL!

In this episode you will learn:

• The divorce rate among couples over 55 and its connection to hormonal changes

• My journey through perimenopause and how it affected my relationship and our social life

• The importance of effective communication and understanding between partners during hormonal shifts

• Practical tips for couples to navigate difficult conversations and support each other emotionally

• Insights from Rick on how husbands can empathize and connect with their partners during perimenopause

Tip: Ladies, listen to this episode all the way through. Then grab YOUR man--and your favorite beverage--and listen to it a second time, together. 

If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause and it's impacting your marriage, this series is a must-listen! 

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Next Steps:

Record a Question to be Answered on the Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessment

Book a FREE Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/HCprecall

Become an AYTML Podcast Insider: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

B

Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements & Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741): https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

6 | What Foods Cause Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms?: 10 "Healthy" Foods To Avoid

Hey friend,

In today’s episode, I’m going to unpack one of the most misunderstood byproducts of hormone imbalance in perimenopause and menopause: food sensitivities.

Understanding what foods may be exacerbating an underlying hormonal imbalance and causing issues like stomach pain, eczema, constipation, headaches, inflammation in your joints, brain fog or even unwanted weight gain can be life-changing!

In today’s episode, I’ll begin to unravel the mysteries of food and its effect on our hormones by sharing:

    - What is the root cause of food sensitivity?

     - 3 signs of food sensitivity

     - Can hormone imbalance cause food sensitivities?

     - What foods affect hormones the most

     - What foods flare up thyroid?

     - What foods are hard on adrenal glands?

     - Which foods increase estrogen levels?

     - Plus, 10 foods to avoid that cause hormonal chaos

Also in this episode, I share a special announcement about a new series I’m launching this week that you’re not going to want to miss!

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This episode’s “Thump on the Head”:

“Food is information, telling your body what to do. Every bite you eat affects your hormones, brain chemistry, and metabolism.”

–Functional medicine doctor and 15x New York Best-selling author, Dr. Mark Hyman

Are you listening to your body, ladies? It’s time to get back on speaking terms.:>

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Next Steps:

Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessment

Book a FREE Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/HCprecall

Become an AYTML Podcast Insider:https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Record a Question to be Answered on the Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements & Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741):
https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance

 

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

 

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

5 | How Can I Check My Hormone Levels Myself in Perimenopause or Menopause?

Hey friend,

In today’s episode I’m going to answer a question I get asked all the time: Should you bother getting your hormone levels checked and is there a way to check your hormone levels yourself?

Understanding what’s going on with your hormones and what imbalance (or imbalances) you may have is the crucial first step in solving your hormonal puzzle and feeling like you again.

And it’s really a non-negotiable because if you don’t do anything about your hormone symptoms: 1.) They’re not going to go away by themselves, and 2.) They're not going to get any better. (In fact, not to be an alarmist or anything, but they’re probably going to get worse!)

In this episode you will learn:

    - The 4 types of hormone level tests 

     - The problem with hormone levels in blood tests

     - What’s a hormone saliva test and what hormones does it test?

     - The difference between a hormone urine test and a DUTCH test for hormones

     - Hormone Synptom Profiling and hormone fluctuations

     - What method I chose to identify my hormone imbalance symptoms and why

I hope this episode clears up a lot of confusion you may have about hormone testing and gives you back some of your power when it comes to your health and your body. 

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This episode’s “Thump on the Head”:

“We need to move from a disease-care model to a “health-based model”...[which involves] teaching patients how to be their own clinician.”

 

–Functional medicine doctor and renowned hormone expert, Dr. Sara Gottfried.

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Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessment

Book a FREE Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/HCprecall

EP 2 | Why Does My Blood Test For Hormones Keep Coming Back “Normal”?
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/are-you-there-midlife-its-me-monica-balance-hormones/id1736009810?i=1000649528656

Become an AYTML Podcast Insider: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Record a Question to be Answered on the Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements & Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741):
https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance

 

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

 

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

 

4 | Why Is My Doctor Dismissing My Perimenopause Symptoms?

Hey beautiful!

Today, I’m going to spill the tea on a taboo topic: How much do our doctors really know about perimenopause–and share 6 reasons why your doctor may be dismissing your symptoms.

This episode was inspired by Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry’s recent confession that her doctor mistook her vaginal dryness–a common symptom of perimenopause and menopause–as ‘the worst case of herpes he had ever seen.”

What the hell-o-menopause?!?

In this episode you will learn:   

- What should I do if my doctor doesn’t take my perimenopause symptoms seriously?

- Are there certain biases or misconceptions about perimenopause that could be         influencing my doctor’s dismissal of my symptoms?

- What role does gender bias play in the dismissal of perimenopause symptoms by doctors?

- Is it possible that my doctor is dismissing my perimenopause symptoms because they’re not familiar with the latest research or guidelines?

- Can hormone tests or other diagnostic tools help convince my doctor of the validity of my perimenopause symptoms?

I hope this episode informs you, inspires you, or makes you laugh a little (unless laughing makes you pee.:)

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This episode’s “Thump on the Head”:

I had decided I “was going to skip” perimenopause altogether. [I thought] “I’m in great shape. I’m healthy. I managed to get myself off of insulin and manage my diabetes since I was 20 years old. So that makes one think, ‘Oh, I can handle menopause. I’m going to skip that whole thing.’ I was so uneducated about it at that time.”

–Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry, Age 57

 

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Next steps:

Become an AYTML Podcast Insider: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessmentz

Book a FREE Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/HCprecall

Record a Question to be Answered on the Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements & Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741):
https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance

 

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

 

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

 

3 | What Are The Pros & Cons of Hormone Pellets?

Hey girl!

Today I’m answering a question from a listener and AYTM Insider, “What is your take on bioidentical hormone pellets?

OMG! Where do I even begin?!?

Disclaimer: While I’m admittedly a little biased when it comes to this controversial topic, I’m going to be as diplomatic as possible as I highlight the good, the bad, and the criminally insane effects of BHRT pellets for managing menopause symptoms.

In this episode you will learn:

- The different types of hormone therapy

-  The two categories of BHRT Bio\identical Hormone Replacement Therapy,

- The benefits of BHRT pellets

- Whether bioidentical hormone pellets are FDA-approved

- The side effects of BHRT pellets

- Deceptive practices of hormone pellet therapy companies

I hope this episode informs you, inspires you, or makes you laugh a little (unless laughing makes you pee.:)

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This episode’s “Thump on the Head”:

(In regards to the manufacturers of hormone pellets):

Their ads come across as these sort of mom-and-pop dippy shops, like the Celestial Seasonings of hormones….[But] many of them are large conglomerates….There’s no real monitoring system…You don’t really know WHAT you are taking. [And] suppliers can say whatever they like…[which] has led to making many people very wealthy.

–Doctor Nanette Santoro, professor of obstetrics and gynecology

 

Next Steps

Become an AYTML Podcast Insider: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessment

Book a FREE Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/HCprecall

Record a Question to be Answered on the Podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements & Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741):

https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

 

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

 

2 | Why Does My Blood Test For Hormones Keep Coming Back “Normal”?

Hey girl!

In today’s episode, I will be diving into the US healthcare system, the ins and outs of conventional medicine, and why it's so darn difficult to get perimenopause support–especially from our doctors.

I’m also going to break down the five reasons why your hormone blood panel keeps coming back “normal.”

In this episode you will learn:

-  The limitations of blood tests to check hormone levels

-  When to get hormones tested

-  Estrogen vs. estradiol–what’s the difference?

-  What to ask to get added to your thyroid blood test TSH

-  Blood tests vs the Dutch test–which is better?

-  The most reliable way to tell if you are in perimenopause

I hope this episode informs you, inspires you, or makes you laugh (or maybe just feel less like an alien.:)

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This episode’s “Thump on the Head” is from Author Susan MacNamara:

“The time for relying on outer authorities is over. It is YOUR body. It is YOUR'S to take care of.”

—

Become an AYTML Podcast Insider: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessment

Book a FREE Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/HCprecall

Record a Question to be Answered on the Pod:

https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements & Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741):
https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

 

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

1 | How Do I Know If I’m In Perimenopause?

Hey girl!

In this first episode of the podcast, I will be answering a question I’m asked all of the time from clients:

Perimenopause: What is it and how do I even know I am in it?

I chose this question because I believe we can’t begin to heal and take back control of our hormones until we truly understand the shift that is happening in our midlife bodies.

In this episode, I’m going to get SUPER vulnerable and share with you my personal hormonal roller coaster story, as well as walk you through three tell-tale signs that you’re (probably) in perimenopause.

In this episode you will learn:

- What age does perimenopause start?

- How long will perimenopause last?

- Perimenopausal spotting and perimenopausal periods: What to expect

- Perimenopause and birth control: How synthetic hormones affect your body’s natural transition

- And what are the most common perimenopausal symptoms?*

*Stay tuned for a future episode where I take a deep dive into all the
perimenopausal symptoms–including some outliers!

I hope this episode informs you, inspires you, or makes you laugh (or maybe just feel less like an alien.)

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This episode’s “Thump on the Head”:

“No one says, ‘ED [Erectile Dysfunction] is just a normal part of growing older and men have to learn to live with it.’ We say, ‘This a typical thing and there’s treatment.”

So how is perimenopause any different?

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Become an AYTML Podcast Insider: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Take my FREE Hormone Quiz: https://bit.ly/HormoneSelfAssessment

Book a FREE Hormone Clarity Call: https://bit.ly/HCprecall

Record a Question to be Answered on the Pod:
https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife

Shop my Favorite Hormone Balancing Supplements and Save 5% or More on Every Order (Enter promo code EUQ1741):
https://www.iherb.com/me/HormoneBalance

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.