Estrogen and progesterone are key players in our overall well-being. They influence how we feel, how we sleep, how we burn fat, and so much more. When these hormone levels start to fluctuate, especially during perimenopause and menopause, it can throw everything out of balance.
You’ve probably heard a lot about insulin resistance lately. Insulin is our fat storage hormone. When our estrogen levels drop, it can cause our insulin levels to fluctuate, which can lead to insulin resistance. This is when our bodies don't use insulin efficiently, leading to fat storage and increased risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes.
Leptin is another important hormone. It lives in our fat cells and sends signals to our brain that tell us when we're full. When leptin signaling is...
Navigating perimenopause can feel like a wild roller coaster ride, right?
The hot flashes, the mood swings, the sleepless nights—it can be a lot. Today, I want to chat about something that has been a total game-changer for me: bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). I want to share with you how BHRT can bring some much-needed relief during perimenopause and why it’s worth considering.
So, what exactly is perimenopause?
It’s that lovely transition period before menopause when our hormones start to go haywire. You might be feeling more anxious, dealing with bouts of depression, constantly exhausted, and not sleeping well. These symptoms can really mess with your daily life, and finding ways to manage them is super important.
Has sleep been your friend or foe since you hit your perimenopause and menopause years? Maybe you’ve struggled since childhood, or maybe this is a whole new symptom that is messing with you.
I wish I had a magic pill that would give you a solid eight hours every night—shoot, if I did, I’d be the first in line to swallow it! But while you may not find answers right away, there are reasons why you need to keep trying to get more sleep in midlife and ways to support your body during this time.
Sleep can hold the key to not only feeling rejuvenated but also to weight management, hormonal balance, and overall well-being.
Midlife introduces many challenges, including sleep, which is primarily driven by hormonal changes. As estrogen levels decline, sleep disturbances become more prevalent, leading to midnight awakenings, racing thoughts, and hormonal...
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Progesterone naturally begins to decline around age 30, and by age 50 has decreased significantly. According to the late Dr. John Lee (leading progesterone specialist), estrogen levels drop only 40-60% at menopause, just enough for the monthly cycles to stop. Sadly, progesterone levels may drop to near zero in some women causing hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and other troubling symptoms. Stress, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and xenoestrogens all accelerate the progesterone decline. During perimenopause and menopause, the sharp decline of progesterone can lead to estrogen dominance – despite lower estrogen levels.
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