117. Perimenopause Is Wild: Symptoms, Support, and What Actually Helps

Perimenopause and menopause affect every woman, yet many are still caught off guard by the wide range of symptoms that can come with this stage of life. In this episode, I sit down with nutritionist, menopause researcher, and author Andrea Donsky to discuss what she's learned from studying thousands of women and why so many continue to feel confused, dismissed, or unsupported when seeking answers. We explore common symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, sleep disruption, anxiety, memory issues, and weight changes, along with some of the lesser-known experiences that often go unrecognized. Andrea also shares her personal journey through perimenopause, the inspiration behind her book Nourishing Menopause, and practical ways women can better support themselves through nutrition, lifestyle habits, mindset, and self-advocacy. This conversation offers reassurance, validation, and a reminder that while every woman's experience is different, no one has to navigate it alone. Topics We Cover in This Episode:  Why perimenopause symptoms are often overlooked or misunderstood The most common symptoms women report experiencing What Andrea's research reveals about women's experiences with healthcare providers Why hot flashes aren't always the first sign of hormonal change The connection between stress, sleep, hormones, and weight fluctuations How mindset can influence the menopause experience Why community and shared experiences matter during this transition Practical ways to better support your body through perimenopause and menopause If you've been questioning changes in your mood, energy, sleep, memory, or weight, I hope this conversation helps connect some of the dots. Perimenopause and menopause can feel isolating, but understanding what's happening is often the first step toward feeling better. Resources & Links Connect with Andrea @andreadonsky Order Dr. Cassie’s Book ‘Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones’: https://guthormonefix.com/ Use code LISTEN10 for 10 % off your order on shopmodernendocrine.com  📲 Follow Dr. Cassie Smith & Modern Endocrine 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.modern-endocrine.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  📸 Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/modernendocrine_/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  🌟 Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ModernEndocrine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  📽️ YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@modernendocrine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  🕹️ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@modernendocrine?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  📰 Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://linktr.ee/modernendocrine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ➡️ Disclaimer:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.modernendocrineokc.com/disclaimer-6353⁠