The Perimenopause Solution Podcast

154: Progesterone intolerance: everything you need to know. Including what to do if you have PMDD.

A decline in progesterone in our 40s can show up as PMS, anxiety, insomnia, and heavy periods. In addition to being uncomfortable these changes can signal deeper shifts affecting brain, bone, and cardiovascular health. In this episode, Tara Thorne explains the crucial role of progesterone in perimenopause, why some women struggle to tolerate it, and how gut health, delivery method, and proper dosing can make all the difference. She breaks down common reactions to oral progesterone, advocates for alternative application routes, and shares practical protocols for challenging symptoms like heavy periods and PMDD. Whether you're navigating progesterone intolerance or simply curious about midlife hormone changes, this episode offers validation and expert strategies. Tara empowers women to advocate for themselves, providing guidance on when and how to replace progesterone for a healthier and calmer transition through perimenopause. In this episode of The Perimenopause Solution Podcast, you'll learn: * Understanding Progesterone for Midlife Health * Understanding Progesterone's Effects & Symptoms * Candida's Impact on Progesterone Deficiency * Finding the Right Progesterone Dose * Managing Hormonal Health with Progesterone WATCH ON YOUTUBE [https://youtu.be/5L5W4ZRbPeI] Mentioned in this episode: HERBATONIN [https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=3&affid=5&creative_id=18] - Save 10% when you shop HERE [https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=3&affid=5&creative_id=18] and use Tara's code: Tara10 EQUIP [http://equipfoods.com/TARA] - Click HERE [http://equipfoods.com/TARA] to grab yours and use Tara's code: TARA to get 15% off When you sign up for a subscription via Tara's link [http://equipfoods.com/TARA], you'll save 30% on the first month & 15% on any subsequent months! PIQUE TEA [https://www.piquelife.com/?rfsn=2873433.db9c9a&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=radiantskinduo&utm_medium=PP_IG&utm_content=tara_thorne] - These are some of Tara's favourite teas! They're crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They're made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea). Click HERE [https://www.piquelife.com/?rfsn=2873433.db9c9a&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=radiantskinduo&utm_medium=PP_IG&utm_content=tara_thorne] to visit the shop. HRT Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hrt-made-simple] - Learn how to confidently speak to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can set yourself up for symptom-free, unmedicated years to come without feeling confused, dismissed, or leaving the medical office minus your HRT script. Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hair-loss-solutions] – This course will teach you the best natural, highly effective, and safe solutions for your hair loss so you can stop it, reverse it, and regrow healthy hair without turning to medications. The Perimenopause Solution™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/the-perimenopause-solution/] – My signature 6-month comprehensive hormonal health program for women in midlife who want to get solid answers to their hormonal health issues once and for all so they can kick the weight gain, moodiness, gut problems, skin issues, period problems, fatigue, overwhelm, insomnia, hair/eyebrow loss, and other symptoms in order to get back to the woman they once were. [FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/ultimate-midlife-peri-handbook] - Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don't need!). [BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE] [https://calendly.com/tarathornenutrition/free-symptom-freedom-session]

153: PART 2: CVD is the #1 killer of women. How the wellness industry misled you about cholesterol & the truth that will save lives.

In Part 1, I shared how my own bloodwork forced me to question everything I thought I knew about cholesterol. In this episode, we go deeper — into the markers that actually predict cardiovascular risk and why so many women are being reassured by tests that don't tell the full story. Because a "normal" cholesterol panel doesn't mean your risk is low. It often just means the most important markers were never measured. I walk you through the two advanced markers that can completely change how we understand heart disease risk — especially when genetics are involved — and why these tests are essential if you want a clear, accurate picture of your cardiovascular health. We also have an honest conversation about cholesterol-lowering medications: what they do, when they make sense, and why modern medicine can be protective when used thoughtfully and strategically. This isn't about fear. It's about clarity. It's about having the full picture so you can make informed decisions about your health and your future. In this episode of The Perimenopause Solution Podcast, you'll learn: • Why a standard cholesterol panel often misses true cardiovascular risk • What Lipoprotein(a) is and why genetics play a major role • Why ApoB is one of the strongest predictors of heart disease • How advanced markers change risk assessment — even when traditional labs look "normal" • The truth about cholesterol-lowering medications and how they work in the body • When lifestyle is enough — and when additional support may be protective • How to advocate for the testing and information you deserve If you've ever been told your cholesterol looks "fine," this episode will help you understand what may still be missing — and why that matters. WATCH ON YOUTUBE [https://youtu.be/GcYAqKoWHQ0] ------------------------------------------- HANGOUT WITH TARA ON FEBRUARY 24TH My Perimenopause Hangout is happening on February 24th and there's still time to join HERE [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/live-perimenopause-hangout]. This isn't a fluffy webinar. It's a no-BS sit-down chat where I'll hand you a real-life roadmap for navigating midlife hormones + metabolism, so you finally know what to focus on (and what to stop wasting money on). You'll leave with strategies you can use the very next day. No starving yourself, no supplement graveyard. Show up live and you'll also get my best bonuses that only my clients typically get: * Ultimate Midlife Blood Work Guide: The Tests Your Doctor Skips + Ranges That Actually Mean Something, (Not Just "You're Alive") * Hormone Decoder Cheat Sheet: How To Talk To Your Doctor About the Right Hormones, Right Doses, Right Delivery, Even If Round 1 Failed * Protein Made Simple Cheat Sheet: Help Figuring Out Your Daily Target + Meal Ideas & Easy Ways To Hit Your Protein Goals. * The Magnesium Decoder Cheat Sheet: Which Form Does What + Electrolytes I Recommend. Save your free spot here [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/live-perimenopause-hangout]! Mentioned in this episode: HERBATONIN [https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=3&affid=5&creative_id=18] - Save 10% when you shop HERE [https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=3&affid=5&creative_id=18] and use Tara's code: Tara10 EQUIP [http://equipfoods.com/TARA] - Click HERE [http://equipfoods.com/TARA] to grab yours and use Tara's code: TARA to get 15% off When you sign up for a subscription via Tara's link [http://equipfoods.com/TARA], you'll save 30% on the first month & 15% on any subsequent months! PIQUE TEA [https://www.piquelife.com/?rfsn=2873433.db9c9a&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=radiantskinduo&utm_medium=PP_IG&utm_content=tara_thorne] - These are some of Tara's favourite teas! They're crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They're made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea). Click HERE [https://www.piquelife.com/?rfsn=2873433.db9c9a&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=radiantskinduo&utm_medium=PP_IG&utm_content=tara_thorne] to visit the shop. HRT Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hrt-made-simple] - Learn how to confidently speak to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can set yourself up for symptom-free, unmedicated years to come without feeling confused, dismissed, or leaving the medical office minus your HRT script. Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hair-loss-solutions] – This course will teach you the best natural, highly effective, and safe solutions for your hair loss so you can stop it, reverse it, and regrow healthy hair without turning to medications. The Perimenopause Solution™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/the-perimenopause-solution/] – My signature 6-month comprehensive hormonal health program for women in midlife who want to get solid answers to their hormonal health issues once and for all so they can kick the weight gain, moodiness, gut problems, skin issues, period problems, fatigue, overwhelm, insomnia, hair/eyebrow loss, and other symptoms in order to get back to the woman they once were. [FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/ultimate-midlife-peri-handbook] - Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don't need!). [BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE] [https://calendly.com/tarathornenutrition/free-symptom-freedom-session]

152: PART 1: CVD is the #1 killer of women. How the wellness industry misled you about cholesterol & the truth that will save lives.

For years, women have been told cholesterol doesn't really matter — or that as long as you're "metabolically healthy," you don't need to worry. In this episode, Tara shares why she no longer believes that… and how her own bloodwork forced her to rethink everything she once taught. Despite being fit, metabolically healthy, and doing "all the right things," Tara discovered she has genetically driven high cholesterol — something lifestyle alone couldn't fix. She explains why common tests like a coronary calcium score can give a false sense of security, and why genetics play a much bigger role in heart disease risk than the wellness industry admits. This episode challenges the oversimplified, feel-good cholesterol messaging online and replaces it with nuance, evidence, and real-life experience. In Part 1, you'll learn: * Why "high cholesterol doesn't matter" is misleading * How Tara discovered her cholesterol issue was genetic * Why being fit does not guarantee low cardiovascular risk * The problem with relying only on standard heart scans * The difference between lifestyle-driven and genetically driven cholesterol WATCH ON YOUTUBE [https://youtu.be/IBY4ApzXog4] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HANGOUT WITH TARA ON FEBRUARY 24TH My Perimenopause Hangout is happening on February 24th and there's still time to join HERE [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/live-perimenopause-hangout]. This isn't a fluffy webinar. It's a no-BS sit-down chat where I'll hand you a real-life roadmap for navigating midlife hormones + metabolism, so you finally know what to focus on (and what to stop wasting money on). You'll leave with strategies you can use the very next day. No starving yourself, no supplement graveyard. Show up live and you'll also get my best bonuses that only my clients typically get: * Ultimate Midlife Blood Work Guide: The Tests Your Doctor Skips + Ranges That Actually Mean Something, (Not Just "You're Alive") * Hormone Decoder Cheat Sheet: How To Talk To Your Doctor About the Right Hormones, Right Doses, Right Delivery, Even If Round 1 Failed * Protein Made Simple Cheat Sheet: Help Figuring Out Your Daily Target + Meal Ideas & Easy Ways To Hit Your Protein Goals. * The Magnesium Decoder Cheat Sheet: Which Form Does What + Electrolytes I Recommend. Save your free spot here [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/live-perimenopause-hangout]! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mentioned in this episode: MEGASPORE [https://microbiomelabs.com/register/?ref=TaraMegaSpore] - Click HERE [https://microbiomelabs.com/register/?ref=TaraMegaSpore] to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore BON CHARGE [https://www.boncharge.com/?rfsn=4156209.cf03a6] - Save 15% when you when you shop HERE [https://www.boncharge.com/?rfsn=4156209.cf03a6] and use Tara's code: THORNE15 PALEOVALLEY [https://paleovalley.com/store?pc=pvpartners&oid=25&affid=921] - Get an automatic 15% discount applied when you click here to purchase. [https://paleovalley.com/store?pc=pvpartners&oid=25&affid=921] HRT Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hrt-made-simple] - Learn how to confidently speak to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can set yourself up for symptom-free, unmedicated years to come without feeling confused, dismissed, or leaving the medical office minus your HRT script. Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hair-loss-solutions] – This course will teach you the best natural, highly effective, and safe solutions for your hair loss so you can stop it, reverse it, and regrow healthy hair without turning to medications. The Perimenopause Solution™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/the-perimenopause-solution/] – My signature 6-month comprehensive hormonal health program for women in midlife who want to get solid answers to their hormonal health issues once and for all so they can kick the weight gain, moodiness, gut problems, skin issues, period problems, fatigue, overwhelm, insomnia, hair/eyebrow loss, and other symptoms in order to get back to the woman they once were. [FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/ultimate-midlife-peri-handbook] - Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don't need!). [BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE] [https://calendly.com/tarathornenutrition/free-symptom-freedom-session]

151: RE-RUN: We are not in a low vitamin D epidemic, with Regina Nuzzo PhD & Kristin Cobb PhD

Is everyone really low in vitamin D? Or have we been sold a narrative that doesn't hold up under scrutiny? In this mind-blowing episode, Tara sits down with Regina and Kristin, the investigative duo behind the Normal Curves podcast, to explore the truth behind the so-called "vitamin D deficiency epidemic." Spoiler: it may have been manufactured by outdated, flawed science—and driven by people with major conflicts of interest. This is a must-listen for anyone taking vitamin D or worried about their levels. If you've been told your D is "low," this episode might change everything. In this episode we cover: * How the original vitamin D reference ranges were set (and how they were quietly reversed in 2024) * Why testing vitamin D routinely may be doing more harm than good * The role of conflicts of interest in shaping clinical guidelines * What the latest randomized controlled trials (RCTs) actually show about supplementing vitamin D for disease prevention * Why observational data can mislead us, and how low D might be the consequence—not the cause—of illness * How much sun you actually need to make enough vitamin D (hint: it's a lot less than you think) * Why the "low D" narrative stuck around even after the science was overturned If you're thinking about taking D, already taking D, or have been told your vitamin D is "low" (it likely isn't) then this one is for you. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE -https://www.youtube.com/@TaraThorne [https://www.youtube.com/@TaraThorne] Regina Nuzzo is a Gallaudet professor, award-winning science journalist, and co-host of the Normal Curves podcast. She brings statistics to life for students and audiences worldwide, often using sex-science examples to keep things lively. Her writing has appeared in Nature, The New York Times, Scientific American, and the Los Angeles Times, where she wrote a column on the science of sex and relationships. Alongside co-host Kristin Sainani, she penned a long-running statistics column for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and now teaches a Stanford summer course on statistics for clinical informatics. Regina's work earned the American Statistical Association's Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award. Kristin Cobb Sainani is a Stanford professor, science journalist, and co-host of the Normal Curves podcast. She brings statistics and scientific writing to students and audiences around the world. She also works as a statistician on sports medicine projects. Kristin has written widely about health, science, and statistics for both academic and popular audiences. She was a health columnist for Allure magazine for ten years and, alongside co-host Regina Nuzzo, penned a long-running statistics column for the journal Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. In 2018, she received Stanford's Biosciences Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching. Known for her statistical sleuthing and ability to cut through academic jargon, Kristin champions clear language and rigorous methods in science. Mentioned in this episode: Normal Curves Podcast https://www.normalcurves.com/vitamin-d-part-1-is-the-deficiency-epidemic-real/ [https://www.normalcurves.com/vitamin-d-part-1-is-the-deficiency-epidemic-real/] https://www.normalcurves.com/vitamin-d-part-2-good-for-more-than-just-your-bones/ [https://www.normalcurves.com/vitamin-d-part-2-good-for-more-than-just-your-bones/] Normal Curves Website: https://www.normalcurves.com/ [https://www.normalcurves.com/] EQUIP PRIME PROTEIN [https://www.equipfoods.com/?rfsn=6286966.799d48] – Click HERE [https://www.equipfoods.com/?rfsn=6286966.799d48] to grab yours and use my code: TARA to get 15% off. When you sign up for a subscription via my link, you'll save 30% on the first month & 15% on any subsequent months! Purchase Herbatonin here [https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/Tara] to get 15% automatically applied to your cart: https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/Tara [https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/Tara] PIQUE TEA [https://www.piquelife.com/?rfsn=2873433.db9c9a&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=radiantskinduo&utm_medium=PP_IG&utm_content=tara_thorne] – These are some of Tara's favourite teas! They're crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They're made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea). Click HERE [https://www.piquelife.com/?rfsn=2873433.db9c9a&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=radiantskinduo&utm_medium=PP_IG&utm_content=tara_thorne] to visit the shop. HRT Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hrt-made-simple] - Learn how to confidently speak to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can set yourself up for symptom-free, unmedicated years to come without feeling confused, dismissed, or leaving the medical office minus your HRT script. Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hair-loss-solutions] – This course will teach you the best natural, highly effective, and safe solutions for your hair loss so you can stop it, reverse it, and regrow healthy hair without turning to medications. The Perimenopause Solution™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/the-perimenopause-solution/] – My signature 6-month comprehensive hormonal health program for women in midlife who want to get solid answers to their hormonal health issues once and for all so they can kick the weight gain, moodiness, gut problems, skin issues, period problems, fatigue, overwhelm, insomnia, hair/eyebrow loss, and other symptoms in order to get back to the woman they once were. [FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/ultimate-midlife-peri-handbook] - Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don't need!). [BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE] [https://calendly.com/tarathornenutrition/free-symptom-freedom-session]

150: RE-RUN: The Truth About Vitamin D That No One's Telling You PART 2

Today is the Part 2 re-run of the vitamin D series, Tara moves beyond basic lab values and takes a closer look at what can happen when vitamin D supplementation goes too far — and why more is not always better. She explains how today's standard reference ranges are built on shaky assumptions, how high-dose vitamin D can create real imbalances in the body, and why symptoms like mood changes, calcium shifts, mitochondrial stress, and even worsening autoimmune issues can sometimes be linked to over-supplementation. Most importantly, Tara shares a smarter, root-cause approach to supporting healthy vitamin D levels without relying on megadoses that may do more harm than good. In Part 2, Tara covers: • Why common vitamin D reference ranges may be misleading • Signs and symptoms of vitamin D overload • Why a "just take more" approach misses the bigger picture • The key cofactors your body needs to properly use vitamin D If you've ever been told to simply increase your vitamin D without deeper investigation, this episode will help you ask better questions and take a more balanced, informed approach to your health. Mentioned in this episode: MegaSporeBiotic [https://microbiomelabs.com/register/?ref=TaraMegaSpore] – Click HERE [https://microbiomelabs.com/register/?ref=TaraMegaSpore] to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore Paleovalley [http://paleovalley.com/hormonebalance] – Grab your goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE [http://paleovalley.com/hormonebalance] Blue Light Blocking Glasses Recommendations: * Baxter Blue [https://baxterblue.com.au/?rfsn=2486056.8bfe1] (Australian site) Save 15% when you use Tara's code: Tara15 * Bon Charge [https://www.boncharge.com/?rfsn=4156209.cf03a6] Save 15% when you use Tara's code: TARA15 HRT Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hrt-made-simple] - Learn how to confidently speak to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can set yourself up for symptom-free, unmedicated years to come without feeling confused, dismissed, or leaving the medical office minus your HRT script. Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/hair-loss-solutions] – This course will teach you the best natural, highly effective, and safe solutions for your hair loss so you can stop it, reverse it, and regrow healthy hair without turning to medications. The Perimenopause Solution™ [https://tarathornenutrition.com/the-perimenopause-solution/] – My signature 6-month comprehensive hormonal health program for women in midlife who want to get solid answers to their hormonal health issues once and for all so they can kick the weight gain, moodiness, gut problems, skin issues, period problems, fatigue, overwhelm, insomnia, hair/eyebrow loss, and other symptoms in order to get back to the woman they once were. [FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook [https://go.tarathornewellness.com/ultimate-midlife-peri-handbook] - Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don't need!). [BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE] [https://calendly.com/tarathornenutrition/free-symptom-freedom-session]