Tag Archives | menopause

EP 773

773: What’s Really Driving How Fast You Age? The Science of Biological Aging with Nikolina Lauc

September 15, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

What if perimenopause isn’t only changing your hormones, but also changing how your body is aging underneath the surface?

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Nikolina Lauc, CEO and co-founder of GlycanAge, to explore emerging research on immune aging, chronic low-grade inflammation, and the menopause transition.

Nikolina shares research showing just how dramatically markers of “inflammaging” can shift when estrogen declines. In one hormone-blocking study, women gained 9.1 years on GlycanAge markers within six months, while research following twins found the rate of immune aging accelerated during the transition from perimenopause to menopause.

They unpack why this inflammation may be happening even when your traditional labs look normal, what glycans can reveal about how your immune system is functioning, and why biological age is more complex than a single number.

They also explore the research around HRT, exercise, weight loss, fasting, GLP-1 medications, nutrition, and why the same intervention doesn’t work the same way for every woman.

Listen now to discover what may be happening beneath the surface in perimenopause and how better data could help you become more proactive about how you age.

NIKOLINA LAUC

Nikolina Lauc is the CEO and co-founder of GlycanAge, a longevity biotechnology company focused on glycans, immune aging, chronic inflammation, and biological age.

GlycanAge’s research focuses specifically on “inflammaging,” the chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation associated with aging. Its work examines glycan structures on antibodies to better understand whether the immune system is behaving in a more pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory way.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. What biological age actually means and why there isn’t one universal biological-age number
  2. How chronic low-grade inflammation can develop without obvious symptoms
  3. Why immune-aging markers may accelerate during the menopause transition
  4. How declining estrogen influences inflammation and immune function
  5. Why your hormone and traditional inflammatory labs can look normal while something is shifting
  6. What glycans can reveal about your immune system and inflammaging
  7. What the research suggests about HRT, exercise, weight loss, fasting, and GLP-1s
  8. Why interventions for healthy aging need to be personalized

QUOTES

“There’s never going to be one biological age.”

“Not everybody experiences perimenopause in the same way.”

“There’s no universal diet.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use Code ENERGIZED and Get 10% Off on your GlycanAge Single Order or Subscription

GlycanAge Website

GlycanAge Instagram

GlycanAge LinkedIn

RELATED EPISODES 

771: Beyond Hot Flashes: The 103 Symptoms of Perimenopause No One Talks About with Andrea Donsky

770: The Heart Disease Risk Factor Most Women Aren’t Watching: What Your Blood Sugar and Insulin Can Reveal with Dr. Philip Ovadia

769: Is It Perimenopause or Something Else? How to Finally Connect the Dots with Dr. Mariza

750: The Underlying Cellular Cause of Midlife Fatigue, Brain Fog & Low Motivation with Andrew Salzman

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

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EP 772

772: The Cost of Holding It All Together: How Overfunctioning Changes Your Hormones, Brain & Metabolism with Dr. Mariza

September 10, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

Have you ever looked at the same life you were managing a year ago and wondered, “Why does everything suddenly feel so hard?”

You’re still ambitious. You’re still capable. You’re still the woman everyone depends on. But the stress you once brushed off gets under your skin. Your brain doesn’t feel as sharp. Sleep is changing. Your patience is shorter. And keeping all those plates spinning suddenly requires far more energy.

In this solo episode, Dr. Mariza explores what happens when the profound hormonal and neurological changes of perimenopause collide with decades of over-functioning.

She introduces what she calls the midlife capacity gap: the disconnect between the enormous load many women are carrying and the biological capacity they currently have to sustain it.

You’ll learn why simply pushing harder may widen that gap, how Dr. Mariza is redefining resilience, and why supporting your hormones, brain, metabolism, muscle, and sleep is only part of the conversation.

Because the goal isn’t to make your life smaller. It’s to build a body capable of sustaining the life you actually want while becoming far more discerning about what deserves your energy.

Listen now to rethink what resilience looks like in midlife and start protecting your capacity for what truly matters.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Why high-functioning women can feel blindsided by perimenopause
  2. What happens when the woman who always handles everything suddenly has less capacity
  3. How estrogen and progesterone shifts can affect your brain, sleep, mood, and stress response
  4. What over-functioning looks like and why it often gets rewarded
  5. The midlife capacity gap between the load you carry and your biological capacity
  6. Why pushing harder and becoming more disciplined may not be the answer
  7. How to redefine resilience around adapting, recovering, restoring, and thriving
  8. The question Dr. Mariza wants you asking: “Is this actually mine to carry?”

QUOTES

“Perimenopause doesn’t arrive in a vacuum.”

“Endurance is not resilience.”

“Doing less isn’t the same as caring less.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Stop surviving and start thriving, join Midlife on Fire Collective now

The High Functioning Woman on Substack

RELATED EPISODES 

771: Beyond Hot Flashes: The 103 Symptoms of Perimenopause No One Talks About with Andrea Donsky

769: Is It Perimenopause or Something Else? How to Finally Connect the Dots with Dr. Mariza

764: Why Your Nervous System Feels Dysregulated (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right) with Roseann Capanna-Hodge

750: The Underlying Cellular Cause of Midlife Fatigue, Brain Fog & Low Motivation with Andrew Salzman

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More
EP 771

771: Beyond Hot Flashes: The 103 Symptoms of Perimenopause No One Talks About with Andrea Donsky

September 8, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

What if the symptoms disrupting your life are connected to perimenopause, even if you’ve never had a hot flash?

Andrea Donsky spent 14 years in perimenopause and 11 of them with no idea what was happening to her body. Now, as a seven-time published menopause researcher, nutritionist, and bestselling author of Nourishing Menopause, she’s helping women put language to experiences that have been overlooked for far too long.

In this episode, Andrea joins Dr. Mariza to unpack her research into 103+ reported symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and why hot flashes aren’t even among the most common. Fatigue ranks #1, while nine of the top 10 symptoms are cognitive or mental-health related.

They also discuss why women are still being dismissed by healthcare providers, the foundational role of nutrition, blood sugar, sleep, movement, and stress management, and why perimenopause deserves to be viewed as an opportunity to protect your long-term health.

Most importantly, you’ll learn why this transition rarely looks the same from one woman to the next and why having the right vocabulary can completely change how you advocate for yourself.

Listen now to better understand what your changing body may be trying to tell you and the tools that can help you feel like yourself again.

ANDREA DONSKY

Andrea Donsky is a nutritionist, menopause researcher, bestselling author, and co-founder of We Are Morphus. She has worked in health and wellness for 26 years and has spent nearly a decade focused specifically on perimenopause and menopause.

Her research explores women’s real-world experiences during the menopause transition, including more than 100 reported symptoms and women’s experiences seeking care. She is the author of Nourishing Menopause, a research-backed guide combining nutrition, lifestyle, holistic health, and conventional approaches to help women feel their best through this transition.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Why Andrea spent 11 years in perimenopause without realizing it
  2. The 103+ symptoms women have reported during perimenopause and menopause
  3. Why fatigue is the #1 reported symptom, not hot flashes
  4. The surprising dominance of brain, cognitive, and mental-health symptoms
  5. Why 40% of women in Andrea’s research reported feeling dismissed by healthcare providers
  6. How nutrition, blood sugar, sleep, movement, and stress support women through this transition
  7. Why HRT can be one valuable tool alongside foundational lifestyle strategies
  8. How perimenopause can become a window of opportunity for protecting long-term health

QUOTES

“I was in perimenopause for 14 years total, 11 of which I had no idea.”

“We know that there’s 103 different symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.”

“The number one symptom across the board is fatigue.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code DRMARIZA and get 10% off on your Womeness Order

Nourishing Menopause by Andrea Donsky

Sign up now to receive your bonus: “The Nourishing Menopause Bonuses”

Andrea Donsky Website

Andrea Donsky Instagram

Andrea Donsky Youtube

RELATED EPISODES 

770: The Heart Disease Risk Factor Most Women Aren’t Watching: What Your Blood Sugar and Insulin Can Reveal with Dr. Philip Ovadia

769: Is It Perimenopause or Something Else? How to Finally Connect the Dots with Dr. Mariza

768: Why Your Period Gets So Weird in Perimenopause + What Actually Helps with Kaya and Yasmin Purohit

750: The Underlying Cellular Cause of Midlife Fatigue, Brain Fog & Low Motivation with Andrew Salzman

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More
EP 768

768: Why Your Period Gets So Weird in Perimenopause + What Actually Helps with Kaya and Yasmin Purohit

August 27, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

Has your period suddenly started behaving completely differently?

Maybe your cycles are shorter or longer. PMS hits harder. Your breasts are sore, cravings are stronger, your mood changes dramatically, or your libido seems to have disappeared.

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Beeya co-founders Kaya and Yasmin Purohit to explore what your changing cycle may be telling you, especially as you move into your late 30s and 40s.

Yasmin shares her experience coming off birth control after 15 years and struggling for two years with anxiety, painful cramps, breast tenderness, and acne. Together, they explore why these symptoms deserve attention and how foundational habits like sleep, movement, whole foods, and blood sugar stability can support hormone health.

They also unpack seed cycling, including exactly how it works, the nutrients different seeds provide throughout the menstrual cycle, what the research currently supports, and why women in perimenopause have become an especially important part of Beeya’s community.

Most importantly, this conversation is a reminder that your changing cycle is information.

Listen now to learn how to recognize the clues your body is giving you and support your hormones without making wellness another overwhelming job.

KAYA & YASMIN PUROHIT

Kaya and Yasmin Purohit are the co-founders of Beeya, a women’s wellness brand focused on helping women support their bodies through PMS, perimenopause, irregular cycles, fertility, and beyond.

After Yasmin struggled with severe symptoms following 15 years on birth control, she and Kaya discovered seed cycling and set out to make the practice simpler and more accessible for modern women.

Their work combines nutrition, education, and practical daily rituals designed to help women better understand and support their cycles.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Why changing periods can be an early clue that you’re entering perimenopause
  2. Yasmin’s experience after coming off birth control following 15 years on the pill
  3. How sleep, movement, and whole-food nutrition can affect your cycle
  4. The surprising connection between blood sugar, progesterone, PMS, anxiety, and rage
  5. What seed cycling is and how to use different seeds throughout your cycle
  6. Why women in perimenopause may benefit from additional nutritional support
  7. How postpartum and perimenopause can overlap for women having children later
  8. Why community, joy, and flexibility belong in the conversation about women’s health

QUOTES

“Your cycle is information. It’s always giving you information.”

“Not every day is going to be a winner.”

“Annoyance is the price you pay for community.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Stop surviving and start thriving, join Midlife on Fire Collective now

Beeya Wellness Website

Beeya Wellness Instagram

Beeya Wellness Youtube

RELATED EPISODES 

767: The Longevity Secret We Rarely Talk About: The Healing Power of Friendship, Joy & Being Fully Expressed with Samantha Hollingsworth

766: The Weight You Lose Isn’t Always the Biggest Transformation: The Part of GLP-1s Nobody Talks About with Dr. Alexandra Sowa

764: Why Your Nervous System Feels Dysregulated (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right) with Roseann Capanna-Hodge

763: Why So Many High-Functing and Achieving Women Miss the Signs of Hormone Imbalance with Anastasia Sartan

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More
EP 743 (2)

743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

May 5, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Why is heart disease still the #1 killer of women—and why aren’t we talking about it?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Jayne Morgan to unpack the overlooked connection between perimenopause, menopause, and cardiovascular risk.

Most women are told menopause is just about hormones and symptoms—but it’s actually a vascular transition that directly impacts your heart, blood vessels, and long-term health.

Together, they break down why women are often misdiagnosed, why key risk markers are missed, and what you can do to advocate for yourself early—before a major event happens.

If you’re in your 40s or beyond, this conversation could change how you think about your health—and your future.

Be sure to tune in!

DR. JAYNE MORGAN

Dr. Jayne Morgan is a leading cardiologist and national voice in women’s cardiovascular health. She is passionate about redefining “preventive care” for women—shifting the focus from reproductive health alone to include heart health, vascular function, and long-term longevity.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Why heart disease is still the #1 killer of women—and widely overlooked
  2. How perimenopause and menopause impact vascular health
  3. Why women are often misdiagnosed in cardiac and stroke events
  4. The critical labs every woman should be asking for (including Lp(a))
  5. How inflammation, stress, and caregiving burden increase risk
  6. Why movement (not just exercise) is essential for longevity
  7. The real role of hormone therapy in protecting heart health

QUOTES

“Real preventive medicine for women is preventive cardiovascular medicine.”

“Menopause is not just a hormonal transition—it’s a vascular one.”

“If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Dr. Jayne Morgan Website

Dr. Jayne Morgan Instagram

Dr. Jayne Morgan Youtube

RELATED EPISODES 

723: Estrogen, Insulin & Heart Disease: Why Your Risk Rises in Midlife

711: Estrogen, Inflammation, and Your Heart Health: What Every Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Sanjay Bhojra

675: Feeling Off After 40? The Surprising Vitality Molecule to Reignite Your Energy, Libido & Confidence with Cathy Eason 

741: Estrogen, Gut Health, and Metabolism with Siobhan Mitchell

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More

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