Confused about when to start hormone replacement therapy? You’re not alone. In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, we’re cutting through the mixed messages and breaking down when to consider starting HRT, what symptoms to look out for, and how to know if it’s the right move for you. If you’re in your 40s and feeling dismissed, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin…this one’s for you.
In this short, reflective episode, Claudia gets real about the power of gratitude–especially during the chaotic, emotional, and overwhelming season of perimenopause. If you're a busy, driven woman over 40 navigating hormone changes, aging parents, anxiety, or a constant sense of "not enough," this episode is your reminder to pause, breathe, and reframe.
About 15% to 50% of perimenopausal women may experience anxiety, often accompanied by depression, insomnia, and forgetfulness. Unfortunately, a lot of healthcare providers aren't addressing the underlying imbalances associated with anxiety, besides thoughts, mindset, and/or trauma. And of course these things should be addressed, but there's more to the story...
If you're a woman in your 40s who feels constantly anxious, moody, and mentally fried, it might not just be your hormones. In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, I unpack one of the most overlooked hormone disruptors in midlife: overstimulation. From non-stop group chats to cluttered homes to the pressure to keep up on Instagram, our nervous systems are bombarded 24/7… and it’s silently wrecking our hormone balance, our energy, and our mood. I’m sharing my personal experience with digital burnout, why I’ve scaled back communication in my business and life, and how overstimulation is keeping so many midlife women stuck in survival mode – even when they’re doing “all the right things.”
Estrogen often gets a bad rap, but it’s one of the most powerful and protective hormones in a woman’s body, especially in midlife. In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, we’re unpacking what estrogen does, how it changes after 40, and what you need to know about supporting it through perimenopause and beyond. Whether you're dealing with brain fog, vaginal dryness, or mood swings, this episode will help you understand whether low estrogen might be at play – and what you can do about it. We also dive into hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the different forms of estrogen available, and why progesterone is essential if you choose to supplement. Estrogen isn’t the enemy; let’s set the record straight.
In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, we’re diving deep into cortisol, the stress hormone that plays a significant role in our health, especially for women over 40. If you’ve been feeling exhausted, anxious, or wired at night, it’s time to understand what might be going on with your cortisol levels. Cortisol can become dysregulated during perimenopause, making stress management even more crucial, as your body’s hormonal landscape shifts. Tune in to learn how to support your cortisol, manage stress, and feel your best during this transitional phase of life.
Feeling more tired, anxious, or irritable in your 40s—but still pushing through like you always have? In this episode, Claudia shares why the “hustle mode” that may have worked in your 30s starts to backfire in perimenopause–and what to do instead. She opens up about the personal changes she’s made to her daily and weekly rhythm, and walks you through 5 simple, doable practices to help you preserve energy, regulate your nervous system, and feel more like yourself again.
If you’re feeling anxious, exhausted, gaining weight, and like nothing is working anymore, this episode is for you. These symptoms aren’t just about hormones; they’re often signs of a dysregulated nervous system. In this episode, Functional Health & Integrative Nutrition Coach Claudia Petrilli, breaks down how your nervous system impacts hormones, metabolism, sleep, mood, and more during perimenopause.
In this raw and empowering episode of Perimenopause Simplified, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked, yet powerful ways to support your health in midlife: sex. From the hormonal magic of oxytocin to the emotional benefits of intimacy, I’ll share how good sex can actually help ease perimenopause symptoms—while also addressing the very real challenges modern couples face when it comes to connection. I’ll also open up about a dry spell in my own relationship, and how we found our way back to each other. Whether your libido is MIA or you’re craving deeper connection, this episode is for you.
In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, Claudia dives deep into vaginal health during midlife, an often overlooked but essential part of overall well-being. Learn how hormonal shifts impact vaginal tissue, pH, and infection risk, and get practical, evidence-based solutions to support comfort, confidence, and intimacy. Whether you're experiencing dryness, odor, or recurring UTIs, this episode breaks down both hormonal and non-hormonal tools that can help you feel like yourself again.
