Midi Team
Hormonal changes in midlife impact every part of a woman’s body, from brain function and sleep to weight, mood, and vaginal health. In this webinar, Midi’s menopause experts, Dr. Shelly Latte-Naor and Dr. Lily Hanna, share how hormonal shifts affect the mind and body—and the solutions that can help women feel balanced, strong, and symptom-free.
What you'll learn:
- How fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can trigger mood swings, brain fog, and stress.
- Why your hormones are never "balanced" and how to handle the natural ups and downs.
- Evidence-based solutions to support your emotional well-being.
📚 Suggested Reading:
💡 Key Highlights
How Hormonal Changes Impact the Mind and Body
- Perimenopause is like "puberty in reverse," with rollercoaster-like fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone.
- Menopause is officially diagnosed after 12 months without a period, typically around age 51.
- Estrogen receptors exist throughout the body—so estrogen withdrawal affects the brain, heart, skin, muscles, bladder, and more.
- Common symptoms include brain fog, mood swings, sleep disruptions, and weight gain, among others.
Understanding "Hormonal Balance"
- Hormones naturally fluctuate daily, monthly, and across life stages; "balance" means adapting to these changes, not achieving a static state.
- Chronic stress, poor sleep, and nutritional deficiencies can further disrupt hormonal health.
Treatment Options for Relief
- Lifestyle Changes: High-protein diets, strength training, stress management, acupuncture, and yoga improve symptoms significantly.
- Supplements and Botanicals: Evidence supports some supplements, like black cohosh for hot flashes and maca for sexual health, but guidance from clinicians is essential to ensure safety.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): The gold standard for symptom relief, HRT can improve hot flashes, sleep, mood, vaginal health, bone health, and long-term heart and brain health. It's available in many forms, including patches, creams, gels, pills, and vaginal rings.
- Non-Hormonal Medications: New FDA-approved options (e.g., Veozah) and off-label uses of gabapentin and antidepressants can help address symptoms for women who can't use hormones.
Top Audience Questions & Expert Answers
Does your body develop a tolerance to HRT?
No. While dosage adjustments may occasionally be needed, HRT typically remains effective over time.
Can ear itching be related to menopause?
Yes! Estrogen withdrawal can cause dry skin and mucous membranes, which may affect the ears.
What are non-hormonal options for symptom relief?
Stress management, lifestyle therapies, supplements, and newly approved non-hormonal medications can all help depending on your symptoms.
When should you start vaginal estrogen?
Starting early can help preserve vaginal and urinary health long-term, preventing issues like recurrent UTIs.
What Success Looks & Feels Like
Final Takeaways
- Midlife hormonal changes can cause a wide range of symptoms—but they are treatable.
- A combination of lifestyle changes, supplements, hormone therapy, and personalized care offers the best outcomes.
- Relief is possible—no one has to "tough it out" alone. Help is available, and symptom improvement often happens within weeks.
If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and want guidance from clinicians who specialize in women’s midlife health, book a virtual visit with Midi today.
Hormonal change is at the root of dozens of symptoms women experience in the years before and after their period stops.
Our trained menopause specialists can help you connect the dots to guide you towards safe, effective solutions.
Whether you need personalized guidance or a prescription routine to tackle symptoms—including brain fog, hot flashes, sleep trouble, mood swings, and weight gain—we’ve got you covered.
Midi’s mission is to revolutionize healthcare for women at midlife, wherever they live and whatever their health story. We believe that starts with education, to help all of us understand our always-changing bodies and health needs. Our core values guide everything we do, including standards that ensure the quality and trustworthiness of our content and editorial processes. We’re committed to providing information that is up-to-date, accurate, and relies on evidence-based research and peer-reviewed journals. For more details on our editorial process, see here.
