Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones

Have you ever wondered why your body reacts so strongly to stress on days that should feel completely normal?  In this episode, we're joined by naturopathic doctor and educator Dr. Leah Hollon to explore how early stress, family patterns, and even the pregnancies we grew in can shape our hormones decades later. We talk about cortisol patterns, histamine overload, immune shifts, stubborn weight changes, and why so many women hit perimenopause already running a nervous system that's been on high alert for years. And yes, we get practical. Think nervous system resets, smart cortisol support, histamine-calming strategies, and the small daily practices that genuinely start to retrain your stress response. Dr. Leah Hollon is a naturopathic doctor, international speaker, and author of Unwinding the Imprints of Disease. She teaches integrative medicine, pharmacogenomics, and epigenetics at multiple universities and co-owns Richmond Natural Medicine.  It's a grounded, eye-opening look at how stress imprints show up in midlife hormones and what you can do to shift the system starting today.    What's Discussed: (02:00) What intergenerational trauma is and how it affects hormones (08:09) How PTSD flattens cortisol and shows up in perimenopause (11:46) The link between ACEs and autoimmunity, allergies, and migraines (15:24) What famine studies teach us about metabolism and weight (17:49) Why chronic stress makes weight loss harder and cardio tricky (20:23) How your birth story shapes stress, immunity, and hormone patterns (39:36) Why histamine flares, sleep issues, and wired-tired energy connect (41:22) Tools that regulate the nervous system and support midlife hormones   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. LVLUP Health: If you're in perimenopause, menopause, or just feel like your digestion and hormones are ganging up on you, try Ultimate GI Repair from LVLUP Health. You can grab it at lvluphealth.com and use my code DRJONES for 15% off your first order.   ✍️ 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: www.drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: @dr.carriejones  TikTok: @drcarriejones Youtube: @drcarriejones  Dr. Leah Hollon, ND, MPH: Website: www.drleahhollon.comIG: @leah.hollonYoutube: @DrLeahHollon ========== 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.  

Perimenopause has a way of showing up with little surprises. One month I'm sleeping through the night, feeling fine. The next I'm wide awake at 3 AM or losing a brilliant idea the moment I open a new tab. If your body has been pulling these tricks too, you are in good company. In this episode, I share the five things that help me feel more grounded as I move through my own perimenopause. You'll hear how I support my sleep, how I train, the supplements that stay in my routine, the labs I check, and the hormone choices I'm using right now. You'll get a better sense of what your body might be doing and some practical tools that make this phase a little easier to navigate day to day. If you've ever wondered what a hormone doctor relies on when she goes through perimenopause herself, this episode lays it out in a clear and simple way. Come listen.   What's Discussed: (00:01) The first signs I noticed in my own perimenopause (00:46) Brain glitches, sleep changes, and the strange symptoms no one talks about (02:15) How my ocular migraines started and what helped me understand them (03:10) The sleep and stress habits that keep me more regulated (05:31) Why I lifted heavier, added jumping, and changed how I move (07:49) My progesterone journey and the formula that finally worked for me (10:03) What a continuous glucose monitor revealed about my symptoms (12:50) The supplements that anchor my routine and support digestion, sleep, and energy   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. LVLUP Health: If you're in perimenopause, menopause, or just feel like your digestion and hormones are ganging up on you, try Ultimate GI Repair from LVLUP Health. You can grab it at lvluphealth.com and use my code DRJONES for 15% off your first order.   ✍️ 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    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.

What if your perimenopause cravings weren't about discipline at all but a hormone conversation your body is trying to have with you? In this episode of Hello Hormones, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Kennedy from Calocurb to break down why so many women hit perimenopause and suddenly feel hungrier, snackier and way more tempted by everything in the pantry. We walk through the hormones that run your appetite, how the gut brain axis shapes satiety and why falling estrogen can make those signals go quiet. We also cover GLP-1, CCK and PYY in the simplest way possible, why your hindbrain can hijack your best intentions and how bitter receptors in the gut can naturally support your fullness signals. If your cravings have been louder, if chocolate calls your name at night or if your appetite feels "different," this episode will help everything click and give you practical ways to support your hunger hormones today. Sarah Kennedy is the CEO of Calicurb. She has led major health and agricultural organizations and now brings that experience into the science of gut brain signaling and natural satiety support. Listen now!   What's Discussed: (03:19) The Hunger Hormones Behind Your Appetite (05:47) How the Gut Brain Axis Shapes Cravings and Fullness (08:20) What Synthetic GLP-1 Medications Do to Your Natural GLP-1 (11:16) The "Valley of Death" When Coming Off GLP-1 Injectables (14:22) How Bitter Receptors in the Gut Trigger Natural Satiety (22:55) What Human Trials Reveal About Hunger, Cravings and Calicurb (31:56) Why Calories In vs Calories Out Fails Women in Perimenopause   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. LVLUP Health: If you're in perimenopause, menopause, or just feel like your digestion and hormones are ganging up on you, try Ultimate GI Repair from LVLUP Health. You can grab it at lvluphealth.com and use my code DRJONES for 15% off your first order.   ✍️ 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  Dr. Sarah Kennedy: Website: www.calocurb.comInstagram: @calocurbFacebook: @calocurbGLOBAL   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.

You know that feeling of "something's off, but my labs are 'normal' and everyone keeps telling me it's just aging"? We're not doing that here. In this episode, I'm joined by menopause specialist Dr. Ashley Alexis to answer the HRT questions women are actually asking: from breast cancer fears and clot risk to migraines, vaginal dryness, sex drive, and starting hormones "late" in your 60s and 70s. We break down the difference between oral vs transdermal estrogen, why estradiol is "that girl", how to think about progesterone (Prometrium vs compounded, oral vs vaginal), and when it makes sense to bring in testosterone and DHEA for energy, libido, and muscle. If you've ever been told you "can't" take estrogen because of blood pressure, migraines, family history of breast cancer, or because you're "too old" to start, this conversation is going to give you language, context, and confidence to go back to your provider and ask better questions.  Dr. Ashley Alexis is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor specializing in menopause care. Trained at Bastyr University San Diego, she helps women navigate perimenopause and menopause using evidence-based, root-cause approaches that support their long-term health, clarity, and wellbeing. 🎧 Episode 31: Dr. Ashley Alexis, ND: The Myths, the Science, and the Real Story of HRT Tune in.   What's Discussed: (00:58) The truth about estrogen, breast cancer myths, and what the science actually shows (07:06) How to evaluate symptoms in perimenopause and why labs are not the full story (09:15) When to start estrogen and progesterone and when testosterone should be added (14:24) Why oral estrogen increases clot risk and why transdermal forms are safer (18:16) Why vaginal estrogen is essential for dryness, UTIs, and bladder support (25:30) The real contraindications for HRT and what fears are outdated (38:15) Whether women can safely start HRT in their 60s and 70s 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. LVLUP Health: If you're in perimenopause, menopause, or just feel like your digestion and hormones are ganging up on you, try Ultimate GI Repair from LVLUP Health. You can grab it at lvluphealth.com and use my code DRJONES for 15% off your first order.   ✍️ 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  Dr. Ashley Alexis, ND: IG: @the_menopausedoctor Youtube: @dr.ashleyalexis7777 TikTok: @menopausedoctor  

I know… hormone talk can get really confusing sometimes. "Normal," "holistic," "bioidentical," "natural"... what do these even mean? In this episode, I'm answering the top five hormone questions women ask me most, like how much estradiol you actually need, whether estrogen cream belongs on your face, what to know about Prometrium and pregnenolone, and how to navigate birth control in perimenopause. If your feed is full of conflicting hormone advice, this episode cuts through the noise with myth-free hormone clarity so you can stop second-guessing. Put your headphones on, we're making hormones make sense again.   What's Discussed: (00:00) The five hormone questions you're dying to ask  (02:13) "Normal" vs. "Optimal": The estradiol sweet spot for bone health (04:24) Can you really put vaginal estrogen cream on your face? (06:36) Pregnenolone decoded: what it does, why it's calming, and how it works (09:53) Prometrium: holistic, bioidentical, or both? (13:09) Birth control choices during the hormone rollercoaster 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. LVLUP Health: If you're in perimenopause, menopause, or just feel like your digestion and hormones are ganging up on you, try Ultimate GI Repair from LVLUP Health. You can grab it at lvluphealth.com and use my code DRJONES for 15% off your first order.   ✍️ 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    Keywords: Hormonal Health, Menopause, Perimenopause, Progesterone, Estrogen, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Holistic Alternatives, Estradiol Levels, Bone Health, Estrogen Cream, Vaginal Estradiol, Systemic Applications, Pregnenolone, Progestin IUDs, Birth Control Options, Non-Hormonal Methods, Copper IUD, Natural Family Planning, Unplanned Pregnancies, Barrier Methods, Holistic Approaches, Bioidentical Hormones, Prometrium, Systemic Estrogen, Vaginal Estrogen, Healthcare Provider   ==========   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.