LISTEN TO THE PODCAST – Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
When I first realized I was in perimenopause, I was caught completely off guard. Despite my training as a pharmacist and years of helping others with Hashimoto’s, I had no idea how intense this transition could be. Panic attacks, weight gain, insomnia, and anxiety showed up seemingly overnight, and I wish someone had warned me what was coming.
That’s why I was so grateful to interview Dr. Mariza Snyder on today’s episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations. She’s a bestselling author, podcaster, and women’s health advocate who has both lived and studied this transition in depth. Her new book, The Perimenopause Revolution, is a love letter to women navigating this second puberty. Together, we dive into what perimenopause really is, why so many of us feel blindsided, and practical ways to reclaim our health and energy.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Perimenopause is a neuroendocrine shift – a “second puberty.” Dr. Mariza explains how declining communication between the ovaries and brain leads to erratic hormones, destabilizing moods, and physical changes. Just like puberty and postpartum, this season reshapes our physiology and even rewires our brains.
- Symptoms often begin earlier than expected. While the average age of menopause is around 52, many women feel perimenopause as early as their mid-to-late thirties, especially those with Hashimoto’s, PCOS, endometriosis, or high stress loads. Recognizing the signs early can help shorten the learning curve.
- Progesterone declines first, and it impacts the brain. Early perimenopause is marked by low progesterone, leading to poor stress tolerance, sleep issues, mood swings, and PMS-like symptoms. Estrogen follows later with its own ripple effects, from hot flashes to joint pain and cognitive changes.
- Why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be a game-changer. Despite fear-mongering, FDA-approved bioidentical hormones can be safe, affordable, and life-changing. Dr. Mariza shares her mother’s story, her own journey, and tips for advocating with doctors to get the support you need.
- Lifestyle shifts are non-negotiable. From blood sugar balance and strength training to sleep hygiene and daily movement “snacks,” Dr. Mariza outlines the foundations that help women reclaim their energy and protect long-term health during this transition.
- You’re not broken – you’re transforming. Perimenopause can feel like losing your old self. But with the right tools and support, it’s also an opportunity to rewrite your story and thrive in midlife and beyond.
Check out Dr. Mariza’s new book!
The Perimenopause Revolution is a paradigm-shifting approach to perimenopause that’s helping women reclaim their energy, metabolism, and confidence at midlife. This is a step-by-step blueprint that offers practical information about important topics like talking to your doctor about bioidentical HRT, and when and what to test (and what to test), along with some amazing resources like meal plans, workouts, and mindset tools.
Freebies
- Pre-order The Perimenopause Revolution – and once purchased, you can get free bonuses, including lab lists, symptom trackers, recipes, and workouts here.
- Free Perimenopause Masterclass with Dr. Mariza Snyder
Guest Resources / Connect with Dr. Mariza Snyder
- Learn more at Dr. Mariza’s website.
- Follow Dr. Mariza on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Pinterest.
- Listen to Dr. Mariza’s podcast, Energized with Dr. Mariza, and check out the episode where I was a guest, How to Let Go of Stress Symptoms, as well as this one on Post-Concussion Syndrome.
- Read The Perimenopause Revolution by Dr. Mariza Snyder: The paradigm-shifting approach to perimenopause that’s helping women reclaim their energy, metabolism, and confidence at midlife.
Supplements We Discussed
- Progesterone (Prometrium): Bioidentical progesterone can ease brain-related symptoms like insomnia, mood swings, and low stress tolerance in early perimenopause (read more about that in this article on perimenopause and your thyroid).
- Estrogen: In later perimenopause, supplementation may help with hot flashes, mood, and vaginal health, depending on symptoms and labs.
- Testosterone: Low-dose testosterone may support energy, libido, and muscle maintenance in some women.
- Protein Powder: A diet filled with adequate protein is essential for proper hormone function. Consider Rootcology Paleo Protein.
Other Tools and Resources
- Menstrual cycle and symptom tracking: Essential for spotting changes over time. Consider using an app like Natural Cycles to help you track your cycle.
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for optimizing blood sugar balance.
- Movement “snacks:” Short bursts of activity throughout the day to stabilize blood sugar and improve energy.
- Peloton app or similar tools for quick, effective strength training at home.
Books and Articles About Perimenopause & Women’s Health
- The Perimenopause Revolution by Dr. Mariza Snyder
- The Essential Oils Hormone Solution by Dr. Mariza Snyder
- Why Balancing Blood Sugar is Vital for Hashimoto’s Health
- Sleep Solutions for Hashimoto’s
- Estrogen Dominance as a Trigger for Hashimoto’s
- Did Your Thyroid Condition Start or Worsen During Perimenopause?
- The 7 Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Hashimoto’s
- Approach to Fibrocystic Breasts with Hashimoto’s
Get the Full Episode Transcript
Let’s Connect!
- Follow me on Instagram:@izabellawentzpharmd
- Get my FREE weekly thyroid & gut health newsletter: Sign up here
- Subscribe & Review: If you loved this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate it on Spotify!
Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🙂
About Our Host
Dr. Izabella Wentz
Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and her latest book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol.
Thyroid Pharmacist Blog
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
Rootcology
About Our Guest
Dr. Mariza Snyder is a powerhouse advocate for midlife women, leveraging 17+ years as a practitioner, author, and speaker to spark a massive movement for women in perimenopause and beyond. With her top-rated Energized with Dr. Mariza podcast (13 million downloads), and a passionate social media audience of over 400K and 8 million monthly views, she’s a trusted guide, offering science-backed solutions for perimenopause, and metabolic health.
Her book, The Perimenopause Revolution (Hay House, October 2025), is the ultimate resource for women ready to take charge of their health and embrace perimenopause with resilience and confidence.
Leave a Reply