81: 7 Things Perimenopause Has Personally Taught Me

Perimenopause can be especially confusing when your symptoms look nothing like the hot flashes and night sweats you were told to expect. Suddenly you are waking up at 4:30 a.m., forgetting words you have known forever, smelling things nobody else smells, or dealing with heart palpitations and wondering what on earth your body is doing.

In this episode of Hello Hormones, I am sharing seven things going through perimenopause has taught me firsthand. We talk about the weird symptoms nobody warns you about, why brain fog can feel more like losing everyday words, and why perimenopause can look completely different from one woman to the next.

Going through this transition myself has completely changed how I understand what women have been telling me for years. If perimenopause has left you wondering whether what you are experiencing is normal, I hope this episode helps you feel more informed about what may be happening in your body and more confident asking for the support you need.

What's Discussed:

(00:00) Why experiencing perimenopause firsthand changed how Carrie understands the women she has treated for years.

(02:53) The weird perimenopause symptoms nobody warns you about, including itchy ears, phantom smells, burning tongue, and unexplained skin changes.

(05:24) Why heart palpitations can show up during perimenopause and when scary symptoms still need to be checked out.

(07:52) How perimenopause brain fog can feel more like losing everyday words, names, and your train of thought.

(10:45) Why some women struggle so deeply during perimenopause and why finding the right hormone-literate support matters.

(13:01) Why perimenopause can look completely different from one woman to the next, even without hot flashes or night sweats.

(15:18) How perimenopause can change your mood, boundaries, and tolerance for things you used to put up with.

(17:40) Why Carrie has doubled down on sleep, strength training, nutrition, relationships, and other health foundations during perimenopause.