Your periods are still regular and your labs may even look “normal.” So why aren’t you sleeping? Why has your mood changed? And why do you suddenly feel like a different version of yourself?
In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford talks with Dr. Alicia Robbins, a board-certified OB/GYN, certified Menopause Society Practitioner, and founder of The Elm. They discuss why sleep and mood can change before hot flashes or irregular periods begin, how cycle tracking may reveal patterns, and how progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone are considered in individualized perimenopause care. They also explain the connection between fertility and perimenopause, what else should be ruled out, and how to advocate for better care when your symptoms are dismissed.
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 What Is Perimenopause and When Does It Start?
03:20 Why Dr. Alicia Robbins Changed Her Approach to Perimenopause
09:55 Perimenopause vs. Menopause: What’s the Difference?
11:23 Fertility and Perimenopause
12:22 How Do You Know if You’re in Perimenopause?
14:47 How to Track Perimenopause Symptoms
16:02 Hormone Therapy During Perimenopause
17:38 Symptoms of Low Progesterone
18:11 Hormone Therapy, Birth Control, and Pregnancy
20:17 Testosterone and Pregnancy
21:21 Testosterone for Women
23:43 Symptoms of Low Estrogen
25:12 When to Start Hormone Therapy
27:04 Estrogen Patches vs. Pills
27:40 Do You Need Hormone Testing for Perimenopause?
30:01 Is It Perimenopause or Something Else?
32:13 How to Advocate for Better Perimenopause Care
GUEST RESOURCES:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciarobbinsmd/
Website: https://www.theelmgreenwich.com/
Podcast: https://www.draliciarobbins.com/podcast
AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk
HOST RESOURCES:
Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book
Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD
Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com
Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education
This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.
ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD:
Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies.
Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care.
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