# Am I in Perimenopause? How to Tell What Phase You're In

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hormone-solution-menopause-perimenopause-women-s-midlife-health-440468/am-i-in-perimenopause-how-to-tell-what-phase-you-re-in
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hormone-solution-menopause-perimenopause-women-s-midlife-health-440468/am-i-in-perimenopause-how-to-tell-what-phase-you-re-in.md
Podcast: [The Hormone Solution | Menopause, Perimenopause, & Women's Midlife Health](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hormone-solution-menopause-perimenopause-women-s-midlife-health-440468)
Published: 2026-03-07T13:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://karenmartel.libsyn.com/am-i-in-perimenopause-how-to-tell-what-phase-youre-in
Audio file: https://mgln.ai/e/35/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/karenmartel/Hormone_Solution_Podcast_-_Am_I_in_Perimenopause.mp3?dest-id=815799
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Duration seconds: 3701

## Resource

If you had told me at 40 that perimenopause would turn my world upside down, I would've laughed. As a nutritionist specializing in women's hormones, I thought I had it handled. So why did I gain 15 pounds, lose my sleep, and feel like a stranger in my own body? In this episode, I'm sharing what I wish someone had told me before the storm hit. Why are so many intelligent, health-conscious women still confused about where they are in perimenopause? Why are we being offered antidepressants, birth control, or told we're "too young" instead of getting real answers? I break down the three phases of perimenopause in a way that finally makes sense, and explain how to know which phase you're actually in. Is it just progesterone? Is it estrogen? Do you really need HRT—and if so, when? I walk you through what's happening hormonally in each phase, why symptoms can feel so chaotic, and how to stop guessing your way through this decade-long transition.You don't have to suffer, and you definitely don't have to do this blindly! In this episode, we uncover: How to identify which phase of perimenopause you're in. Why progesterone drops first and what that means for sleep. What estrogen swings really feel like in midlife. When HRT might be supportive, and why timing matters so much. How thyroid, cortisol, and insulin interact with your changing hormones. If you've been wondering what on earth is happening to your body, this episode is your starting point. Let's make sense of your hormones! Not sure if this is perimenopause — or just stress, aging, or something else? Perimenopause isn't one phase. It unfolds in stages — and each stage requires a different approach. This quiz will help you identify where you are in the transition and what hormonal shifts are most likely driving your sympto…

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## Transcript

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