My Perimenopause Journey

In this episode, learn how to interpret your blood test results for estradiol, progesterone, DHEA, and testosterone. When I first took these tests, my OB-GYN reassured me, "They are fine!" but after describing the severe symptoms impacting my life, she agreed to prescribe a very low dose of HRT. Although some symptoms improved or disappeared, I noticed my body wasn't fully recovering...

Finding a brochure titled "Perimenopause: What Every Woman Needs to Know" at my OB-GYN was a nice surprise, indicating increased awareness of this topic. Yet, after reading it, I am puzzled by how blatantly companies exploit women's health and suffering. There is abundant information on perimenopause, and many companies—from insurers to protein powder brands—are cashing in on this pr...

In this episode, I intended to tease upcoming videos on misinformation by gynecologists and pharmaceutical companies, the importance of blood panels, how testosterone levels can crash during perimenopause—even though most sources say it doesn't—phytoestrogens, their benefits and drawbacks, DHEA, and the actual roles hormones play in our bodies. However, what was meant to be a teaser became a full...

Navigating perimenopause can be exhausting, but having a doctor can make it easier. One effective way to engage your doctor is through blood tests. I wish I had comprehensive blood tests every five years starting in my mid-20s to understand what levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, or DHEA are normal for me. Just like checking cholesterol, triglycerides, TSH, or hemoglobin, hormone lev...

When it comes to perimenopause, many experts claim to know what's best. After spending over a year exploring the topic—listening to countless podcasts, audiobooks, reading books, following blogs, and reviewing current research—I’ve realized there is no single magic solution. Instead, it’s like a puzzle with many pieces coming together. For some, improving sleep might be enough; others will nee...

Concerned that recurring and worsening inflammation might be due to insulin resistance, I asked my doctor for a comprehensive blood panel. We also measured testosterone and estradiol levels. The estradiol results were good, indicating the supplementation was working. But testosterone told a different story: in six months, my already low levels had almost dropped to zero. No wonder my blood pressur...

During perimenopause, NF-κB activity is likely to increase. So, what exactly is NF-κB, and why does it matter? NF-κB is a key inflammatory trigger that can boost systemic inflammation. This can lead to brain fog, fatigue, depression, hot flashes, and raise the risk of conditions like osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, gut microbiota issues, and many more. Listen in to learn how estrogen can su...

In my late 30s, perimenopause began, and suddenly I found myself a regular at various doctors. They told me: Change your job, you're too stressed, get therapy, here's a herbal remedy, you're bipolar, take lithium medication. You might not be surprised that none of that helped; instead, I was crashing deeper and deeper into crisis (not even mentioning financial loss). My body was on fir...

Deep into perimenopause, I was plagued by recurring eye inflammation. Even after identifying various potential causes, preventing it remained difficult. Lifestyle changes offered some relief but were not enough. As a last resort, I used antibacterial eye drops. I didn't expect them to work since my inflammation was autoimmune, not bacterial. Surprisingly, they did help. I discovered that these...

Unable to sleep again because of an inflamed, painful eye, I searched online and discovered Sjögren's syndrome. Also known as Sjögren's disease, it was first documented in the 1930s. To my surprise, it has many symptoms similar to perimenopause, and most sufferers are women in their middle ages. Continue reading to learn more about the condition, its effects, treatment options, and ways yo...

My friend went through intense perimenopause, experiencing years of heavy bleeding, severe anemia, and daily battles, feeling like she was bleeding to death. Eventually, she had her uterus removed. While the bleeding stopped, she instantly entered postmenopause in her late 30s. She was prescribed low-dose estradiol, but it provides limited bone protection and doesn't effectively prevent viscer...

The adrenal glands produce adrenaline and cortisol. Interestingly, during perimenopause, they also continue to produce estrogen, even as ovarian production declines. Additionally, they generate testosterone, which can be converted into estrogen. Many women in this stage experience notable decreases in their ability to handle stress, with minor triggers sometimes causing significant reactions. This...

In the perimenopause community, there is a lot of talk about testosterone. But before considering testosterone supplementation, how about boosting your testosterone production naturally? Yes, for better or worse, our daily lifestyle choices greatly affect our testosterone levels. While drinking a glass of orange juice lowers testosterone levels (due to a spike in insulin), lifting weights followed...

Exposure to wind, bacteria, viruses, or mascara can lead to eye inflammation. However, during perimenopause, inflammation can occur in many areas beyond the eyes. This is due to hormonal imbalances, such as fluctuating estrogen and progesterone, spikes in FSH or LH, or low androgen levels, which can all trigger inflammation. Other factors like insulin resistance, digestive problems, and newly deve...

What if your Luteinizing Hormone spikes even when there isn't a follicle ready to respond to the hormone's message? What if you notice inflammation around ovulation? This inflammation can appear as migraines, constipation, diarrhea, severe brain fog, and many other symptoms. It also affects the vascular system and—worst case—can even help tumor cells spread. Learn what you can do to reduce...

Did you know that your body goes into a pro-inflammatory state twice during your cycle? While this is a normal and healthy process, during perimenopause, this usually well-regulated inflammation can become excessive. It may affect your eyes, digestion, trigger migraines, and cause many other autoimmune issues, as well as mental and cognitive conditions. Discover what has helped me manage inflammat...

I was so glad that I had been able to prevent eye inflammation. Unexpectedly, it recurred after exposure to a major stressor. Tune in to hear what has helped me keep it at bay, and what I'll do differently the next time I'm under major stress. Subscribe for bi-weekly updates on My Perimenopause Journey. Find tips and inspiration for yourself, and join a slowly growing community of kindhear...

When in perimenopause, know about the 3P of depression. Understanding them can help you and your healthcare practitioners find the help you need, rather than "just" covering them with antidepressants or sending you to therapy. As there are 3P of depression, there are also 3P of insulin insensitivity. During puberty and pregnancy, insulin insensitivity is actually a very good thing. But d...

Tracking my perimenopausal transition has helped me get the relief and help I urgently needed. Since developing the "My Peri•menopause Journey" tracker, I've discovered that my glucose and ketone levels also affect my symptoms. Therefore, I'm considering adding glucose and ketone levels, the Glucose-Ketone-Index (GKI), and the Dr. Boz Ratio to the tracker. That way, you could eas...

As many women transition through perimenopause, they develop insulin insensitivity. Many of them then develop elevated insulin levels, which can lead to food cravings, hunger spikes, impaired digestion, visceral fat, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, and more. But where is insulin actually made? What does that factory—aka our pancreas—look like? And what happens to all th...

Insulin insensitivity is going to affect many perimenopausal women. Many think of insulin as a bad thing, but it's a very important messenger in our bodies. It helps us use and store energy, keep our blood vessels healthy, and more. But for insulin to do its work properly, it needs to be in balance and not constantly stimulated. It's not just too many cookies that can raise your insulin le...

Eye inflammation has been a trusted partner during ovulation in the most recent cycles. Taking estrogen continuously and staying in a light ketogenic state helped prevent that inflammation for the first time. However, after adding carbs and skipping the gel at the start of a new cycle, the inflammation returned right away. Tune in to follow me on my quest to find what helps prevent inflammation du...

Menopause got pictured in a recent K-Drama! So happy to see this female transition take center stage. To my surprise, menopause was shown as red cheeks, which can be treated by a dermatologist in two sessions. While researching what that condition might be, I found that some women develop rosacea. Let's follow the lead of "Iron Family" and speak about perimenopause and menopause. Tog...

In the midst of perimenopause, I've levelled up my lifestyle: Exercise, saunas, cold plunges, more daylight exposure, better sleep, and keeping stress at bay have become staples. Additionally, hormone therapy has helped all those measures to really kick in. While many symptoms improved, inflammation kept recurring severely. As insulin insensitivity is common during perimenopause, I decided to...

For a tree to stay healthy and heal properly, you need to cut a damaged branch (when needed) very close to the trunk. If you leave a big stump, water and ice can enter, and the tree may slowly rot from the inside out. This made me think about how women are treated and supported during perimenopause and menopause. We’re often told: reduce your stress, eat more protein, try this antidepressant, and...