Perimenopause Got You Feeling Crazy? Top 6 Crazy Symptoms Explained
Everyone talks about hot flashes and night sweats. But what about the symptoms that make you wonder if you’re just losing your mind? You go to the doctor. You get labs done. You’re told you’re “fine.” But you still don’t feel like yourself—and nobody’s giving you real answers. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the lesser-known (but incredibly common) symptoms of perimenopause that too often get brushed off or misdiagnosed. These are the symptoms that leave women feeling dismissed, confused, and alone in a body that suddenly feels foreign. I cover: Why hormone shifts can trigger heart palpitations (even when your labs are “normal”) The surprising reason your mouth, lips, or tongue might burn How changes in estrogen affect your gums, oral health, and dental visits Why you might start hearing ringing in your ears (and no, it’s not just stress) The deal with phantom smells like smoke, sewage, or burning wires What causes sudden changes in body odor (and why it’s like puberty in reverse) We also talk about how to rule out other causes—like low iron, B12, thyroid issues, or real dental problems—and why you always deserve a thorough work-up, even if your doctor shrugs it off. Your symptoms are real. You’re not overreacting. And you deserve real answers. Thank you to our sponsor: Timeline: If you want to stay strong and energized now and as you age, then you have to try Mitopure Gummies. Head to timeline.com/drcarrie to get 20% off. Your cells will thank you. FREE GUIDES: Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause LETS CONNECT: Website: www.drcarriejones.com Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones ========== Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
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11:41
Are Bioidentical Hormones Legit? What You Need to Know ASAP
You’ve probably heard the term “bioidentical hormones” tossed around like a wellness buzzword—but is it actually legit or just marketing fluff? Some people swear by them. Others say they don’t even exist. So what’s the real deal? In this episode, I’m clearing up all the confusion around bioidentical hormones, what they really are (and aren’t), and why so many women are getting the wrong info from well-meaning providers, influencers, and even doctors. If you’ve ever been told they don’t exist, they’re only available as pellets, or they come without side effects… this one’s for you. In this episode, I cover: What “bioidentical” actually means (hint: it’s not just marketing) The difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormones Why Prometrium and estradiol patches are bioidentical—even if they’re FDA-approved What makes something synthetic (like progestins or Premarin) Why pellets aren’t the only form of bioidentical hormone therapy When compounded hormones are helpful—and when they’re not required Whether you need a prescription (and what to watch for in OTC creams) Why your doctor might say “bioidentical isn’t real” (and why that’s not true) The myth that bioidentical hormones have no side effects How to work with your provider to stay safe and symptom-free ✍️ FREE GUIDES: FREE GUIDES: Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause LETS CONNECT: Website: www.drcarriejones.com Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones ========== Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
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10:48
4 Signs Your Progesterone Is Too Low
Snappy one minute, crying at a dog food commercial the next? If your moods, sleep, or periods are all over the place, your progesterone might be waving a big hormonal red flag—and you’re not imagining it. In this episode of Hello Hormones, I walk you through the top 4 signs of low progesterone and how this one hormone can quietly sabotage your mood, cycles, sleep, and sanity—especially after 35. From brutal PMS to next-level anxiety, we’re unpacking what happens when progesterone tanks and what you can do about it. In this episode, I cover: Why progesterone is the chill hormone and what happens when you don’t have enough The difference between estrogen dominance vs. low progesterone What symptoms to watch for before your period hits What labs to consider and how to support your progesterone naturally FREE GUIDES: Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause LETS CONNECT: Website: www.drcarriejones.com Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones TikTok:@drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones ========== Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
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7:33
The Truth About Low Estrogen: 4 Symptoms You Can’t Ignore
Think low estrogen is just about hot flashes and night sweats? Think again. From your skin to your mood to your gut, estrogen impacts all 12 systems of your body—which means the symptoms can show up in some unexpected (and frustrating) ways. In this episode of Hello Hormones, I break down 4 surprising signs your estrogen may be too low—like thinning hair, bloating, acne, and a total 180 in your mood. If your doctor keeps shrugging and blaming “aging,” you need this. We’re talking science, symptoms, and what to do next to get your body (and sanity) back on track. In this episode, I cover: How estrogen supports your skin, hair, gut, and brain Why low estrogen is way more than hot flashes The hidden symptoms most doctors don’t connect to hormones What’s happening with estradiol during perimenopause What you can do to start feeling like yourself again ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause ➡️LETS CONNECT: Website: www.drcarriejones.com Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones TikTok:@drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones ========== Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
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11:53
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11:53
Told You’re Fine? Here’s The Truth About Lab Testing
You asked your doctor to “test everything”—hormones, thyroid, nutrients—and they said, “You’re fine.” But you don’t feel fine. You’re still tired, gaining weight, feeling anxious, not sleeping, or just not you anymore. Spoiler alert: basic labs often miss what’s really going on. In this episode of Hello Hormones, I break down why “normal” doesn’t always mean optimal, especially for women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. We’ll talk about which tests to ask for, what they actually measure (and what they don’t), how timing your labs matters, and how to stop feeling gaslit by your own bloodwork. In this episode, I cover: Why CBCs and metabolic panels are not hormone tests What most doctors don’t include in standard thyroid panels (and why it matters) The bloodwork I recommend for metabolic health, inflammation, and nutrient status What to test (and when) if you still have a cycle vs. if you don’t The key difference between estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone tests The hormone markers that help explain fatigue, weight gain, mood, and more What to do before testing to make sure results are accurate ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause ➡️LETS CONNECT: Website: www.drcarriejones.com Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones TikTok:@drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones ========== Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
Welcome to Hello Hormones with me, Dr. Carrie Jones! A podcast where we explore how to make friends with our hormones so we can survive—and thrive—through our 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond!
I’m Dr. Carrie Jones—a holistic functional medicine doctor, hormone nerd, and women’s health advocate who’s spent over 20 years helping women understand their bodies and navigate all the twists and turns of hormone changes. I’ve seen it all—from the frustrating weight gain and brain fog to the mood swings, low libido, crazy periods, and sleep that just won’t cooperate.
Whether you’re pre-, peri-, or postmenopausal—or just a woman dealing with the chaos of hormonal imbalances—you’re in the right place. Because understanding your hormones doesn’t have to feel like herding cats—and your mood swings, fatigue, or weird symptoms? They’re not just “in your head.” So let’s decode the science, ditch the confusion, and help you feel like yourself again.
You bring the symptoms, I’ll bring the science—and let’s get you the solutions together.
South Africa