The Hormone Cafe

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson breaks down perimenopause—what it is, how to know if you’re in it, and what you can do to feel better during this major hormonal transition. She explains why symptoms can feel extreme and unpredictable, how hormone testing actually works in perimenopause, and why a whole-body, root-cause approach is essential for long-term relief.

Rather than accepting “this is just part of aging,” Dr. Sarah outlines how targeted nutrition, lifestyle support, lab testing, supplements, and — when appropriate — low-dose bioidentical hormone therapy can dramatically improve quality of life.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

🌿 What Perimenopause Actually Is
Perimenopause is the transition between regular, ovulatory hormone production and menopause.
Instead of a smooth decline in estrogen and progesterone, hormone production becomes sporadic and erratic, leading to dramatic highs and lows.
This hormonal “roller coaster” is what drives many of the frustrating symptoms women experience.

🔥 Common Symptoms of Perimenopause
Dr. Sarah explains that symptoms can vary widely and may include:

• Anxiety and mood swings
• Depression or irritability
• Brain fog and poor concentration
• Hot flashes, night sweats, and temperature intolerance
• Fatigue and poor sleep
• Weight gain despite eating well and exercising
• Changes in metabolism
  Perimenopause is natural — but suffering is not inevitable.

🧪 How to Test for Perimenopause (and Why One Lab Isn’t Enough)
Hormone levels fluctuate dramatically in perimenopause. One “normal” lab does not rule it out.
Dr. Sarah explains:

• Why FSH and LH are key markers
• What values typically look like in reproductive years vs. perimenopause vs. menopause
• Why testing multiple times, at least two weeks apart, is critical to identify trends
  Trending labs over time gives a much clearer picture than a single snapshot.

🩸 When Irregular Bleeding Is a Red Flag
Not all irregular cycles require treatment — but certain symptoms do:

• Extremely heavy bleeding
• Bleeding lasting weeks at a time
• Bleeding through clothes or experiencing “waterfall” bleeding
  These situations warrant intervention to protect health and improve quality of life.

🥗 Why Nutrition Is Always the Foundation
Before jumping to medication, Dr. Sarah emphasizes:

• Eating enough calories to support hormone production
• Stabilizing blood sugar to reduce hormone swings
• Ensuring adequate protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients
  Nutrition is the base that allows any other therapy to work effectively.

🧠 Supporting the Entire Endocrine System
Perimenopause is not just about estrogen and progesterone.
Dr. Sarah walks through why it’s essential to assess:

• Thyroid function (full thyroid panel, not just TSH)
• Adrenal health (DHEA/DHEA-S)
• Nutrient status (magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, omega-3s)
• Mitochondrial and metabolic health

📈 Why Blood Sugar Matters More Than You Think
Using continuous glucose monitoring, Dr. Sarah explains how blood sugar instability can worsen:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Inflammation
• Hormone irregularity
  Balanced glucose = more stable hormones.

🌱 Gut Health, Absorption & Hormone Balance
Even a perfect diet won’t help if nutrients aren’t absorbed.
Daily bowel movements, minimal bloating, and proper digestion are essential to hormone production and detoxification.

💊 Supplements: When to Support vs. When to Avoid

• High estrogen → support detox pathways (DIM, calcium D-glucarate)
• Low hormones → avoid estrogen-lowering supplements
• Strategic use of nutrients like DHEA when appropriate
  Supplement choice must match hormone status.

🧠 Mental Health & Nervous System Support
Mood changes during perimenopause are influenced by:

• Hormone fluctuations
• Life stressors (career changes, aging parents, family transitions)
  Sarah highlights the importance of therapy, nervous system regulation, and targeted neurotransmitter support when needed.

🌸 Hormone Therapy: When It’s Helpful
Hormone replacement therapy can be life-changing for severe symptoms such as:

• Debilitating insomnia
• Drenching night sweats
• Severe brain fog
  Sarah explains:
• Why low-dose, bioidentical hormones are used
• How therapy is personalized
• The importance of monitoring labs and symptoms
• Why hormones should support — not override — natural physiology

📊 Discovery, Stabilization & Weaning Phases
Hormone therapy is never “one and done.”
Treatment includes:

1. Discovery phase (finding the right dose)
2. Stabilization phase (feeling great consistently)
3. Planned weaning into menopause
   The goal is support, not dependence.

Key Takeaways:

• Perimenopause can last 5–10 years and looks different for everyone
• Hormone swings — not aging — drive many symptoms
• One lab test is not enough to diagnose perimenopause
• Whole-body evaluation is essential for lasting results
• Hormone therapy can be powerful when used thoughtfully
• You are not doomed to feel bad — feeling better is possible