Ask Me About My Estrogen

In this real-life check-in, Charlotte and Megan get honest about where they're at — no experts, just two friends navigating perimenopause in real time. They cover the ongoing rage, Charlotte's sleep struggles, GLP-1 microdosing updates, and why strength training first thing in the morning has been a game changer. They also share listener feedback that genuinely moved them, including one woman who got her first-ever bloodwork done after finding the podcast. Plus: the Bluey book that perfectly captures mom life, pirate parenting, and why a medicine ball might be the best rage therapy nobody's talking about.

Megan and Charlotte sit down once again with dietitian Heidi Harris to tackle one of the most overwhelming topics for women in perimenopause — supplements. With thousands of options on the market and social media pushing everything from hormone-balancing glitter gummies to maca root, Heidi cuts through the noise and brings the science back to basics.

Charlotte and Megan talk to Dr. Dori Gatter about all things sex and perimenopause. 

We are back with Heidi, this time discussing nutrition and how our needs change during perimenopause. 

  10:15 PM           Your Hormones and Your Heart: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Cholesterol Your hormones and your heart are more connected than you think — and perimenopause may be changing your cardiovascular risk right now, without you even knowing it. In this episode, Charlotte and Megan break down everything women need to know about cholesterol, estrogen, and heart health: why heart disease is still the #1 killer of women in the US, how declining estrogen during perimenopause shifts your cholesterol profile, what your numbers actually mean, and why "you're fine" from your doctor isn't always enough. Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, or beyond, this is the conversation about women's cardiovascular health that should have been happening all along. In this episode: How estrogen protects your heart — and what happens when it declines LDL, HDL, triglycerides, ApoB, and Lp(a) explained simply Updated cholesterol screening guidelines for women The cholesterol myths that could be putting your health at risk What to ask your doctor at your next appointment Heart disease. Cholesterol in women. Perimenopause and heart health. Women's cardiovascular health. Cholesterol screening guidelines. Estrogen and cholesterol. Preventative health for women.

Your body didn't break — the rules just changed. In this episode, Charlotte and Megan sit down with registered dietitian and strength coach Heidi Harris to cut through the noise on perimenopause, metabolism, and why your old routine stopped working. From protein targets and heart rate zones to the supplements actually worth taking, this is the practical, no-BS conversation you've been waiting for.

The Big Theme: Perimenopause-related rage is real, common, and rooted in biology — not a character flaw. The Science: Estrogen acts as a neuromodulator, affecting serotonin, dopamine, and GABA (the brain's calming chemical). When estrogen fluctuates during perimenopause, emotional regulation suffers. Declining progesterone removes another layer of calm. The amygdala becomes more reactive, meaning small stressors can feel like major threats. Key Takeaways: It's the variability of estrogen — not just the decline — that drives mood volatility Rage often isn't intellectual; it's hormone-driven and can feel out-of-body Women are socialized to feel shame about anger, which compounds the problem Rage can also signal depression or thyroid issues, so see a clinician if it feels constant or scary Practical Strategies Discussed: Sleep hygiene, blood sugar stability, strength training, and reducing alcohol Nervous system tools like paced breathing and cold water on the face Cycle tracking to predict and prepare for rage windows Medical options, including SSRIs/SNRIs and hormone therapy Setting boundaries and reducing invisible labor The Closing Thought: Some midlife rage may actually be clarity — a dropping away of people-pleasing and a clearer view of what you've been carrying. Dysregulation is treatable, and you don't have to white-knuckle your way through midlife.

Ever feel like your body is working against you — one week you're crushing it, and the next you can barely think straight? In this episode, we're sitting down with Amy Dave from The Wealth of Wellness to talk all things cycle syncing during perimenopause. Amy breaks down how fluctuating hormones impact your mood, energy, focus, and that pre-period rage — and how to actually work with your cycle, even when it's unpredictable. We cover how to track your cycle, when to adjust your workouts and diet, and simple strategies you can start using right away. Whether your cycles are regular or all over the place, this one's for you.   Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

In this episode of Ask Me About My Estrogen, Charlotte and Megan tackle one of perimenopause's most frustrating and underestimated symptoms: brain fog. They push back hard on the clinical definition — arguing that "brain fog" wildly undersells what women are actually experiencing — and dig into the real neuroscience behind it. From estrogen's role as a brain hormone to MRI studies showing changes in how the brain uses glucose, they explain why cognitive struggles during perimenopause are biological, not imaginary. They address the fear many women quietly carry — is this early dementia? — and offer a clear-eyed way to think about the difference. The conversation gets honest about how brain fog collides with the mental load women already carry, how it quietly erodes confidence at exactly the moment many women are hitting their professional stride, and why generic advice like "just sleep more" and "reduce stress" falls spectacularly short. Charlotte and Megan round out the episode with real, practical micro-strategies and a candid conversation about what is — and isn't — within our control, including a discussion of HRT as a legitimate option worth exploring with a knowledgeable provider.

Irregular bleeding, nonstop bleeding, vaginal dryness, itching, painful sex — perimenopause can bring a wave of symptoms no one warned us about. In this episode, we break down how declining estrogen affects vaginal and urinary health, what Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) really means, and why these changes impact intimacy, libido, and confidence. We share our personal experiences with IUDs, oral birth control, vaginal estrogen, lubrication, and navigating hard conversations with partners and providers. No shame. No whispering. Just real talk about vaginal health in midlife.

This week on Ask Me About My Estrogen, Megan and Charlotte sit down with board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Williams to talk all things perimenopause — no fluff, no fear-mongering, just real answers. From “How do I know I’m in perimenopause?” to “Is weight gain inevitable?” and “Are hormones actually safe?” — we’re diving into the questions women are asking in group chats and Google at 2 a.m. Dr. Williams separates fact from fiction, breaks down the truth about bloodwork, birth control, and hormone therapy, and explains what’s really happening when your body starts to feel unfamiliar. We also tackle the emotional side of this transition — the symptoms women blame on themselves, what often gets dismissed, and what OB/GYNs wish more patients understood. Plus, an honest conversation about how to advocate for yourself at your next appointment so you leave feeling heard, not brushed off. If you’ve ever been told your labs are “normal” but you don’t feel normal — this episode is for you.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance — it’s about relationships, including the one you have with your body. In this episode, we talk hormones, intimacy, body image, and how perimenopause and menopause can shift the way we experience love, confidence, and connection. Honest, relatable, and a little spicy — just the way we like it.

Episode 3: Hormone Replacement & Medications Is there a perfect hormone cocktail? Unfortunately—no. And that’s exactly what we’re talking about. In this episode, Megan and Charlotte break down hormone replacement therapy (HRT), medications, and why treatment during perimenopause and menopause is often symptom-driven, not one-size-fits-all. From estrogen patches and progesterone to testosterone, SSRIs, vaginal estrogen, and more, we normalize why many women need multiple medications—and ongoing adjustments—to feel better. We share our personal HRT journeys, missed and irregular periods, brain fog, hot flashes, and the reality of trial and error. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, dismissed, or frustrated with hormone treatment, this episode is for you.  

Menopause Belly: Why It Shows Up (and Why It’s Not Your Fault) It feels like it happened overnight: the sudden midsection weight gain that shows up uninvited, settles right below your high-rise waistband, and refuses to leave. Add it to the growing list of perimenopause hits—hot flashes, mood swings, exhaustion, brain fog—and yeah… this one stings. In this episode, Megan and Charlotte get real about the so-called “menopause belly” (spoiler: the name is misleading). We break down what’s actually happening in your body during perimenopause, why weight gain is so common during this phase (which can last 7–10 years 😳), and why fat suddenly shifts to the midsection—even when your eating and movement haven’t changed. Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

In the premiere episode, hosts Megan and Charlotte introduce themselves and share candid stories about experiencing perimenopause — from rage and sleeplessness to hot flashes and unexpected hair growth — while reassuring listeners that they’re not alone. They outline the podcast’s mission to mix personal stories, listener questions, and expert guests to offer practical strategies, emotional validation, and community support for navigating hormonal changes.   Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay