8. Decoding Perimenopause Stages: Midlife Hormones 101

You're eating well, moving your body, trying to sleep — and yet the weight is creeping up, your moods are unpredictable, and your brain feels like it's running on dial-up. Sound familiar? This isn't a willpower problem. It's a hormone problem, and there's a big difference.

In this episode, Dr. Mary walks you through the three stages of perimenopause — from the earliest signs (hello, ramped-up PMS and mysterious weight gain) to the chaotic middle years of skipped cycles and 3am wake-ups, all the way to the "almost there" phase just before menopause. You'll learn why progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and even your thyroid all play a role in how you feel — and why the advice you've been given probably wasn't designed with your midlife body in mind.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer map of where you are, what's driving your symptoms, and what to watch for as things continue to shift. This transition is real, it's significant, and it is absolutely navigable — when you know what you're actually dealing with.

Links & Resources

Learn more about Dr. Mary’s work at DrMaryPines.com and her signature Better Beyond 40 Formula program.

Follow her on Instagram at @drmarypines for day-to-day inspiration, wellness insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at her life and practice.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favourite podcast platform. Watch each episode on YouTube.

You can find the transcript of this episode here. Transcripts of all episodes can be found here.