113. Why Your Body Feels Stiff, Inflamed, and Off After 40 (Even If You're Active)

Breast health deserves more attention than a yearly mammogram. In this episode, Claudia is joined by Dianne Wist, Breast Health Educator and CEO of Violet Daily, for a conversation about what women over 40 need to know about their breasts, hormones, and overall breast health.

Have you been feeling unusually irritable, moody, or downright angry in the days leading up to your period? Perimenopause rage can feel overwhelming, especially when you don't understand why your emotions seem to be all over the place. In this episode, Claudia Petrilli explains how fluctuating estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone may influence your mood during perimenopause, and why symptoms can become more unpredictable during this stage of life. You'll learn how blood sugar, nutrition, stress, sleep, and nutrient deficiencies may contribute to mood swings, along with practical food and lifestyle changes that can help support your well-being. Claudia also discusses PMDD, when severe premenstrual symptoms may need further attention, and how hormone replacement therapy may fit into an individualized approach to managing symptoms. If you feel like a different person before your period, this episode will help you better understand what may be happening in your body and explore ways to feel more like yourself again.

Estrogen often gets a bad rap, but it's one of the most powerful and protective hormones in a woman's body, especially in midlife. In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, we're unpacking what estrogen does, how it changes after 40, and what you need to know about supporting it through perimenopause and beyond. Whether you're dealing with brain fog, vaginal dryness, or mood swings, this episode will help you understand whether low estrogen might be at play – and what you can do about it. We also dive into hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the different forms of estrogen available, and why progesterone is essential if you choose to supplement. Estrogen isn't the enemy; let's set the record straight.

In this week's episode, Claudia addresses one of the BIGGEST frustrations women face–going to their OB/GYN for perimenopause help, only to realize they're not as knowledgeable about hormones as we expect. Too often, doctors miss the full picture, leaving women dismissed and without real solutions.

Many women start hormone therapy expecting relief from hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings - only to be frustrated when the scale starts creeping up. While providers often dismiss it, weight gain on HRT is a real experience for many. In this episode, Claudia explains why it happens, which hormones play a role, and what you can do to support your metabolism in midlife. What you'll learn in this episode: How progesterone can sometimes trigger water retention (even though it's a diuretic) Why estrogen balance matters for fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and fluid shifts The risks of too much testosterone and how it impacts weight and symptoms The natural metabolic changes over 40 that make weight management harder Key nutrition strategies: prioritizing lean protein, fiber, and smart carbs while watching hidden calories from fats The importance of gut health, daily detox, and pooping regularly for hormone balance