Ep. 49: Perimenopause The Truth About What’s Happening to a Woman's Body After 35 with Dr. Christella Guzman

*📌 Episode Description:*

In this empowering episode of *The Mapuana Reed Show* Mapuana sits down with Dr. Christella Guzman—nurse practitioner, women’s health expert, and founder of Integrative Women’s Health Hawaii—to talk about the real, raw, and often overlooked journey through perimenopause. From hormone shifts to heart health, sleep struggles to brain fog, this is the conversation we *wish* more doctors were having.

Together, they explore:

• What perimenopause really is (and when it starts—it might be earlier than you think!)
• How to spot the classic and not-so-classic symptoms 
• Why so many women are misdiagnosed or dismissed 
• How hormones impact your metabolic and cardiovascular health
• The role of functional medicine and precision testing
• The four essential pillars for thriving through midlife
• How Dr. Christella’s own health journey led to her mission to support women

Whether you're in your mid-30s and feeling "off," or navigating night sweats, anxiety, and weight gain in your 40s, this episode is here to remind you: you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. 💛

**🩺 Guest Info:**

Dr. Christella Guzman, NP-C, MSN, is a nurse practitioner specializing in functional medicine, women’s health, and cardiovascular care. She is the founder of [Integrative Women's Health Hawaii](http://www.womenshealthhawaii.com) and passionate about helping women navigate perimenopause and beyond.

 🌐 Website: [womenshealthhawaii.com](http://www.womenshealthhawaii.com)

📱 IG: [@womenswellnesshi](https://www.instagram.com/womenswellnesshi/)

📞 Appointments: [phone] ---

**📍 Timestamps:**

0:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Dr. Christella

1:15 – What is perimenopause and when does it really begin?

3:24 – Dr. Christella’s journey as a “geriatric mom” and her background in women’s health

5:16 – The hidden health concerns no one talks about

7:29 – When cramps, brain fog, and blood sugar issues are really hormonal

10:03 – The hormone system: why it’s more than just estrogen

11:16 – Signs and symptoms to watch for (hot flashes, anxiety, brain fog & more)

13:50 – The role of functional medicine in perimenopause care

17:59 – Heart health, cholesterol, and why women are often missed

21:01 – The four pillars of wellbeing during perimenopause

24:44 – What Dr. Christella’s concierge-style membership includes

29:15 – NAD, mitochondrial health, and anti-aging from the inside out

32:48 – Menopause vs. Perimenopause: what’s the difference?

36:04 – Functional testing and the value of second opinions

37:24 – Final wisdom: you’re not alone, and you’re not crazy

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**🔍 Keywords (for SEO):**

perimenopause, menopause symptoms, women’s health, hormone balance, hot flashes, weight gain, brain fog, heart palpitations, functional medicine, hormone testing, Dr. Christella Guzman, Integrative Women’s Health Hawaii, Mapuana Reed Show, PCOS, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, adrenal health, thyroid, sleep tips for perimenopause, NAD therapy, mitochondrial health, perimenopause podcast, women over 35, women's health podcast, holistic women’s health Hawaii

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**🎧 Listen & Subscribe:**

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