Cynthia Thurlow, NP: Perimenopause, Insulin Resistance and Midlife Metabolism

Perimenopause is not just about hormones, it’s a metabolic transition that affects insulin sensitivity, gut health, stress tolerance, and long-term disease risk.In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow, board-certified nurse practitioner and functional medicine expert, explains how women’s metabolism changes in midlife and why insulin resistance, poor stress resilience, and gut dysfunction often appear years before menopause.She breaks down how perimenopause can begin earlier than most women expect, why symptoms vary so widely, and how lifestyle factors like fasting, exercise intensity, sleep, alcohol, and chronic stress interact with hormones during this transition.Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women.https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-memberThis conversation explores:Why insulin resistance often emerges in perimenopauseHow stress and trauma shape metabolic and hormonal healthThe role of gut health in PMS, mood, and estrogen balanceWhen fasting helps women and when it makes things worseWhy “doing everything right” can still lead to symptomsHow to individualize nutrition, training, and recovery in midlifeConnect with Kayla:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@femalelongevityTwitter:https://x.com/femalelongevityWebsite:https://www.kaylabarnes.com/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@KaylaBarnesLentzApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Website:https://www.protocol.kaylabarnes.comLearn more about Cynthia ThurlowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cynthiathurlowWebsite: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/Pre-order her upcoming book: The Menopause Gut (28th of April 2026):https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777129/the-menopause-gut-by-cynthia-thurlow-np/?mcp…ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) questionnaire:https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf