345: Why Brain Symptoms of Perimenopause Are Your Biggest Problem w/ Dr. Carrie Jones

Night sweats, brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, irregular cycles…these are all symptoms of perimenopause.As you probably know by now, perimenopause is the hormonal transition period leading to menopause. Typically, this starts in a woman’s late 30s, continues through your 40s, and even into your early 50s – basically until you hit menopause. If you’re in this transition and noticing some extremely frustrating perimenopause symptoms, you’re not alone!Unlike different periods of a woman’s hormonal journey, most women feel clueless about perimenopause and what changes to expect, especially around hormone replacement therapy.I’m hoping that today’s episode will give you clarity about what’s going on during perimenopause, so you don’t feel so out of sorts AND share with you new options to help you get perimenopause symptom release.Joining me to talk about all things perimenopause (plus discussing whether hormone replacement therapy is safe) is Dr. Carrie Jones.Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women's health and hormones with over 20 years in the industry.Dubbed the “Queen of Hormones,” Dr. Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who did her 2-year residency focused on women's health and endocrinology. She went on to get her Master of Public Health and was one of the first to become board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology. She was the first Medical Director for Precision Analytical (the DUTCH Test) and the first Head of Medical Education at Rupa Health.She co-hosts the highly popular show, the Root Cause Medicine Podcast, which has over 7 million downloads. She is the Clinical Expert for the Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center, was on Under Armour’s Human Performance Council, works with the new League One Volleyball (LOVB) organization, and is an advisor to Metapause. Currently, she is the Chief Medical Officer at NuEthix Formulations and Head of Medical Education at Metabolic Mentor University.In This Episode:Surprising symptoms of perimenopauseWhen do perimenopause symptoms stop?How perimenopause majorly impacts your brainWeird symptoms of perimenopause (no one talks about)Which hormones are affected by the symptoms of perimenopause?Liver detox and perimenopause symptomsBig reason for perimenopause sleep problemsIs female hormone replacement therapy safe for perimenopause treatment?Perimenopause test optionsSimple lifestyle changes to make the perimenopause transition easierQuotes“By understanding that this whole brain shift is part of our transition, it helps us really understand it's not just about losing our period or irregular periods or the ovaries or reproduction. In fact, it's way more global than that. It affects all of our systems, but the brain is the big one that gets affected first.”“If you are in your 40s and you're starting to notice some of these symptoms, cycle changes, it's shorter, it's longer, you're noticing hot flashes, night sweats, sleep issues, the brain stuff, all the things that maybe are consistent or come and go. Congratulations, you're perimenopausal. It's the transition time.”LinksFind Dr. Jones online | Instagram | TiktokFREE Hormones 101 Cheat SheetHealthy Skin Show ep. 323: SNEAKY Perimenopause Symptoms + Signs (No One Talks About) w/ Dena Norton, RDHealthy Skin Show ep. 072: Sex Hormone-Skin Rash Co