Episode 54: Perimenopause Isn’t a Diagnosis, It’s a Midlife Shift with Dr. Theresa Pugh

In this episode, Dr. Theresa Pugh and I talk about what’s actually happening in perimenopause, especially the information that isn’t explained clearly. If you're in your 30s or 40s  or you work with women in this age range, this podcast episode is for you.Dr. Theresa Pugh is a board-certified family practitioner with over 20 years of experience in family medicine. She received her MD degree from the  Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University and completed residency at Carilion Health Systems where she was able to train with the sports medicine department at Virginia Tech. A lifelong horsewoman, she continues to ride and compete in hunter/jumpers and became trained in equine assisted learning in the Epona method. She is a facilitator for an Austin-based non-profit called Horselink who provides sanctuary for retired competition horses while providing equine programs for people who have experienced trauma. Dr. Pugh became interested in integrative medicine after being diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome. Through her own healing journey, she gained valuable insight and experience into utilizing different healing modalities to balance mind, body and spirit. She is currently in private practice at Resilient Health in Austin and enjoys helping others with autoimmune conditions as well as practicing precision,  personalized healthcare using advanced testing and medical genomics. We cover:Why perimenopause starts earlier than most people realizeThe difference between estrogen dominance and low progesterone in perimenopause and how they can show up togetherWhat’s really happening when you wake up at 3am or feel rageyHow symptoms like constipation, hip pain, frozen shoulder, and anxiety can all be hormone-relatedWhy labs don't always tell the full storyWhat to know about DIM, methylated B vitamins, and hormone detoxHow fascia, nervous system dysregulation, and stress play into itWhy some people don’t tolerate progesterone and what to do about itWe also talk about why so many women are told they’re “too young” to be in perimenopause and how to track symptoms so you can advocate for yourself or your patients. This is the conversation I wish more providers were having. It’s time we stop writing off women’s symptoms and start looking at the full picture.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:26 Understanding Perimenopause Symptoms02:18 Hormonal Changes and Their Effects03:37 Estrogen Dominance vs. Perimenopause05:58 Progesterone and Its Impact08:04 Detox and Lifestyle Adjustments13:41 Emotional and Physical Changes16:50 Hormone Replacement Therapy29:25 Stress and Hormonal Balance34:45 The Importance of Connection and Laughter37:18 Small Changes for Big Impact37:58 The Importance of Sleep38:37 Infertility and IVF Stress42:07 Understanding Menopause and Perimenopause45:02 Managing Hormonal Fluctuations50:32 Tracking Symptoms and Seeking Help57:25 The Role of Vitamins and Supplements01:07:54 Validating Perimenopause Experiences01:12:06 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsYou can learn more about her and the practice she works at, Resilient Health below:https://resilienthealthaustin.com/Want support for perimenopause that goes beyond hormones?Whether you (or your clients) are taking HRT but still having symptoms, not ready for it, or can’t tolerate it...there’s more we can do.I’ll be sharing practical tools from a movement and rehab perspective, focusing on the nervous system, fascia, lymph, viscera, and musculoskeletal system.If you want updates on workshops, resources, and strategies to support this phase of life more fully, would love you to join my email list.Subscribe to my email list hereI’ll see you in 2 weeks!PS:If you are interested in being a guest on the show, please fill out the form here.