Heavy Periods in Perimenopause: Risks of Hysterectomies and Root Cause Solutions
The Hormone Solution | Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT, Weight Loss & Women's Midlife Health
Release Date: 12/07/2024
The Hormone Solution | Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT, Weight Loss & Women's Midlife Health
Have you looked in the mirror lately and wondered, when did my skin change like this? In this episode, I’m joined by Debbi Barber (founder of Vitali Regenerative Skincare) and Dr. Jordan Plews (a stem cell scientist and co-founder of Xytogen Biotech) to unpack what’s really happening to our skin in midlife—and what we can actually do about it. Is it just aging… or is there something deeper going on at the cellular level? We dive into copper peptides (GHK-Cu) and exosomes—what they are, where they come from, and why they might be the future of regenerative skincare. Can you really...
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In this Hormone Hotline episode, I’m answering a powerful question about estrogen HRT, histamine intolerance, and mast cell activation during perimenopause and long COVID. Why do histamine flares explode when hormones start shifting? Is estrogen really the villain—or is something deeper driving the chaos? I share my own long battle with histamine hives, food reactions, and hormone swings—and what finally moved the needle. Why do so many women get worse on a low histamine diet over time? Could unstable estrogen levels be more triggering than estrogen itself? And what role does...
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Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes. Today’s clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations. Listen to the full episode here: Itunes: Are you navigating the tricky waters of midlife weight gain and menopause? Ever wondered why traditional dieting methods seem to fail during this transition? Join us as we unravel the secrets of menopause weight loss with fat loss expert Dr. Bill Campbell, who has a new passion of understanding fat loss specifically in midlife women. Discover the hormonal shifts...
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Vaginal dryness, recurrent infections, low libido...why are we told this is “just hormones” and something we have to tolerate? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Betsy Greenleaf, founder of the International Pause Institute, and we unpack what’s really happening down there during perimenopause and menopause. Could your symptoms be tied to your gut? Your brain? Your stress levels? We dive deep into the vaginal microbiome and why so many women struggle with yeast infections, UTIs, and painful sex—sometimes for years. Is estrogen the whole answer? Why do probiotics sometimes fail? And...
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Download the full episode on or on your favorite podcast platforms. In this quick hits I sit down with Dr. Gillett, to exam the complex world of women's hormones today. We'll be focusing on androgens like testosterone, DHEA, and dihydrotestosterone, and their profound impact on female health. Dr. Gillett provides insights on the role of binding globulins, hormone replacement therapy, and the interplay between insulin and androgens. We also discuss the challenges of menopausal weight gain, the benefits of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, and practical strategies anyone can use for...
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If you had told me at 40 that perimenopause would turn my world upside down, I would’ve laughed. As a nutritionist specializing in women’s hormones, I thought I had it handled. So why did I gain 15 pounds, lose my sleep, and feel like a stranger in my own body? In this episode, I’m sharing what I wish someone had told me before the storm hit. Why are so many intelligent, health-conscious women still confused about where they are in perimenopause? Why are we being offered antidepressants, birth control, or told we’re “too young” instead of getting real answers? I break down the...
info_outlineThe Hormone Solution | Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT, Weight Loss & Women's Midlife Health
Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes. Today’s clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations. If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below. In this quick hits episode you will hear a clip from my interview with Dr. Kirk Parsley — former Navy SEAL physician and one of the leading voices in sleep optimization — to unpack what chronic sleep deprivation is really doing to your body. We dive into: Why Ambien and common sleep medications can damage long-term brain and hormonal health...
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Jay Campbell—five-time international bestselling author, founder of BioLongevity Labs, and one of the original voices in the peptide world—is here to unpack what’s really going on behind the GLP-1 explosion. Are these drugs miracle tools or misunderstood villains? And why are so many smart people still getting them wrong? We go way beyond the hype and fear, diving into microdosing, metabolic repair, thyroid changes, and why dosing may be the make-or-break factor. Could peptides actually rewire the brain, quiet food noise, and permanently improve metabolism? And what happens when midlife...
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In this episode, I sit down with Nikolina Lauc, CEO and Co-Founder of GlycanAge, and we dive into a questions that should stop every midlife woman in her tracks: is menopause actually accelerating your biological aging? What if the shift from perimenopause to menopause could age you up to nine years in just six months? And more importantly, what can you do about it? We unpack what biological age really means (and why it’s not the same as your chronological age), how inflammation quietly drives aging and disease, and why estrogen may be one of the most powerful longevity tools we have. Is...
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Welcome to the very first Hormone Hotline episode of The Hormone Solution! I’m getting straight into your real-life questions about estrogen—because why, in 2026, are we still being told we’re “estrogen dominant” with rock-bottom levels? If your doctor has warned you against HRT, this episode is for you. Have you been told you can’t start estrogen until you hit full menopause? Or that perimenopause is just too much of a “hormone rollercoaster” to treat? I break down what’s actually happening in your brain and ovaries during late perimenopause, and why adding estrogen might...
info_outlineLet’s talk about the complex journey of navigating perimenopause, particularly the challenges of managing heavy menstrual cycles. Drawing from some of my personal experiences, I explore why common medical solutions like ablation, birth control pills, and hysterectomy may not always be the best options. We examine the consequences these treatments can have on hormone levels, gut health, and cognitive function. By shedding light on the root causes of heavy bleeding, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and hormonal shifts, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of all available options before having to consider significant surgical interventions.
In this episode:
- How heavy menstrual cycles are a common issue during perimenopause for many women.
- Why hysterectomy is often suggested for heavy bleeding but may not be the best option.
- How uterine ablation is a less invasive option compared to hysterectomy.
- Why hormonal balance and gut health are crucial considerations for menstrual health.
- What potential side effects are associated with hysterectomy, including early menopause and cognitive impairments.
- How the role of progesterone in regulating menstrual cycles can affect bleeding.
- Why endometriosis is more than just a hormonal condition and involves immune dysregulation.
- What role bioidentical hormones and supplements play in managing heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Why testing hormone levels is essential to avoid assumptions about estrogen dominance.
- How fibroids and adenomyosis can contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Why uterine cancer and polyps should be ruled out as causes of heavy bleeding.
- How hormonal shifts during perimenopause impact progesterone levels and menstrual cycles.
- What misconceptions exist around the use of birth control pills for heavy bleeding.
- How removing ovaries during hysterectomy can lead to immediate menopause.
- What impact a hysterectomy can have on bladder, bowel, and pelvic support.
- How social norms influence women's health decisions and treatment options.
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Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.
Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:
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Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert