Your gut is a mess. Your sleep is trash. Your hormones? All over the place. But your doctor just tells you “it’s normal” and hands you a pat on the back (with maybe a side of birth control). Sound familiar?

In this episode, I’m joined by my fabulous friend and fellow hormone nerd Esther Blum, and we’re getting real about what actually happens to your body in your 40s and 50s—and what you can do about it. We’re talking hormone therapy, gut health, vaginal health (yes, we go there), and why midlife is not the time to just “push through.”

Esther is 55, in the thick of it, and doesn’t hold back. She shares exactly what she’s using, why protein matters more than ever, and how she helps women feel like themselves again… without pretending it’s easy or perfect.

Here’s what we dive into:

• What to say (and not say) to support your partner through perimenopause—especially when you want to strangle them

• The HRT protocol Esther is using: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, vaginal estrogen (and yes, she puts it on her face)

• The gut-hormone connection no one told you about—and how to stop the bloating, constipation, and rage spiral

• Why most women are wildly under-eating—and how to actually hit your protein goals

• The real reason intermittent fasting isn’t working for you anymore

• Supplements that are actually worth your money—and the ones that are just fancy marketing

• What cortisol has to do with your mood, weight, energy, and “I’m going to lose it” moments

• What to do if you can’t or don’t want to use hormones

If you’re wondering why you feel like a different human and nothing seems to work like it used to—this episode will help connect the dots. You are not crazy, your body is not broken, and there are real, tangible tools to help you feel better.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Timeline Nutrition: If you’re feeling tired, foggy, or drained during perimenopause, Timeline’s Mitopure Gummies support your energy from the inside out. Powered by clinically proven Urolithin A, they help your cells clean out damaged mitochondria and build new, stronger ones. If you’d like to give it a try, visit timeline.com/drcarrie and get 20% off.

✍️ 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:

Dr. Carrie Jones:

Website: www.drcarriejones.com

Newsletter:https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones

TikTok: @drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones

Esther Blum: Website: estherblum.com

Instagram: @gorgeousesther

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.