Perimenopause is something the vast majority of women will experience and yet so many of us feel blindsided by it.

I'm Dr. Jenny and in this episode, I talk about why perimenopause often isn't discussed in conventional medical appointments and why so many women are left hearing about it through social media instead of their doctor's office.

Menopause is diagnosable. It shows up clearly on blood work. Perimenopause? Not so much.

The 5–15 years before menopause can feel like a hormone roller coaster:

Exhaustion
Brain fog
Night sweats and hot flashes
Mood swings
Irregular cycles
Low libido
Weight changes
Feeling like you're "losing your mind"

Here's the truth: If you feel like you're on a roller coaster, it's because your hormones are on a roller coaster.

In this episode, I break down:

Why adrenal health (your stress response system) is the foundation of hormone balance
How chronic stress impacts DHEA and testosterone (hello brain fog and low libido)
Why blood work can miss perimenopausal shifts
How estrogen processing in the liver and gut plays a massive role in symptoms
Why progesterone often declines first and what that means for sleep and mood
How comprehensive testing (like the DUTCH test) gives us a real map instead of a single snapshot

Most importantly, I explain how you can take your power back.

We created a FREE Perimenopause Mini Podcast Series to help you understand:

What actually is perimenopause (and what isn't)
Why symptoms show up years before menopause
What works, what doesn't
How to get to the root cause of your symptoms quickly

Listen to the FREE perimenopause series here: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/perimenopause-3