Before You Jump to HRT: What Your Perimenopause Symptoms Might Really Mean | Ep 357

Before You Jump to HRT: What Your Perimenopause Symptoms Might Really Mean | Ep 357

Author: Erin Holt April 22, 2025 Duration: 53:55

Perimenopause is trending - but are we oversimplifying a complex hormonal transition? In this episode, Erin unpacks the rising buzz around perimenopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She shares why HRT isn’t always the magic bullet it’s hyped up to be and explores how symptoms like mood changes, fatigue, brain fog, and cycle irregularities may actually stem from deeper root causes.

From thyroid dysfunction to estrogen clearance issues, Erin dives into the hormonal nuances that can actually “mimic” perimenopause and why lab testing and nervous system support might be more important than rushing into prescriptions. You’ll also hear why symptoms are your body’s way of communicating and how a functional, whole-human approach could be what you've been missing.

In This Episode:

  • Erin’s experience getting “Instagram-diagnosed” with perimenopause (and what she found in her lab tests instead)
  • HRT is unfairly villainized thanks to outdated studies - here’s what the research says now
  • Non-hormonal imbalances that can mimic perimenopausal symptoms (like low thyroid and gut dysbiosis)
  • How stress, cortisol, and nervous system regulation are key to hormone balance at ANY age
  • Why it’s important to “self-regulate before you replace” as a guiding philosophy

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: 

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/357-perimenopause

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram


Erin Holt’s The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast digs into the connections between what we eat, how our bodies function, and how we think and feel. This isn't about rigid diets or quick fixes. Instead, Erin, a functional nutritionist, facilitates honest conversations that often challenge conventional health narratives. You’ll hear deep dives into current nutrition topics, where she breaks down the science and practical application in an accessible way. The podcast also features interviews with pioneers and experts across the functional medicine and holistic wellness fields, offering a range of perspectives on achieving vitality. The tone is grounded, eye-opening, and intentionally funky-it’s a deliberate and refreshing twist on mainstream health information. Listening provides a sense of empowerment, moving beyond fear-based advice to a more nuanced understanding of personal health. Each episode is designed to inform and equip you with a different lens on wellness, blending holistic health, real food principles, and mind-body awareness. Tune in for a podcast that values depth, curiosity, and a functional approach to nutrition that actually makes sense for everyday life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast
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